Feature Car
1973 Holden Torana LJ GTR XU-1 Bathurst Edition
How do you go one better than the mini-muscle car which cleaned up at Bathurst 1972 and gave the late great Peter Brock his first of 9 Bathurst victories?
You go back to the drawing board, and make a good thing even better. Presenting: the 1973 Bathurst Edition Torana GTR XU-1.
The 202 CID 6 cylinder “JP” red motor was retained, but with fettling around the head, ports, carburettors, distributor timing, flywheels were lightened, extra bracing welded to the inner guards to prevent flexing, Sprintmaster wheels fitted, modifications carried out mostly to address weaknesses identified from the 72 season cars, and the 73 Bathurst model went on to become only the 2nd most collectable Torana, after the SS A9X Hatch.
History records that Peter Perfect and co-driver Doug Chivas were poised to win Bathurst again in 1973, except for a fuel consumption miscalculation. Team manager Harry Firth instructed Chivas to “get max laps”, instead of calling in to the pits for a fuel stop, and the car ran out of petrol and coasted agonisingly slowly into the pits. Race regulations required Chivas to push the vehicle unassisted up a slope into pit lane and into the HDT pit before the car could be refuelled, while main rival Allan Moffat sailed past in his XA GT Falcon hardtop and went on to win the race. It was agreed that had Chivas made the original intended fuel stop, the ’73 race would have likely belonged to him and Brock. As they say; “that’s racing”.
This actual car is for sale:
Aussie Muscle Car Traders is proud to offer this gorgeous 3 owner genuine 85,000km Orchid Metallic with Herringbone trim example to a very discerning collector. One of only 2 offered in this combination, the car has never been restored, and is supplied with all paperwork including purchase receipt (sold new at Bathurst) log books, warranty etc. There are believed only 18 1973 Bathurst Toranas surviving, (including a Tangerine model kept at Aussie Muscle Car Museum), this is definitely one of the best and most original. A blue chip investment and will only appreciate in value.
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