FOR SALE VIA PUBLIC AUCTION
Sunday 27 June, 2.30pm

ASB Showgrounds, Auckland
All lots are subject to a buyer’s premium of 15%+GST

Further info available on our website.

With the introduction of the LC Torana range in 1969, Harry Firth – the Competitions Manager at Holden – quickly recognised the future of touring car racing. It lay in the smaller, lighter and ultimately more reliable Torana, rather than the big, thirsty Monaro. The XU-1 was based on the sportiest model in the range, the GTR powered by a 161-cid six. It had its Bathurst debut in 1970, with three Holden Dealer Team entries and several privateers ready to do battle with the Falcon GT-HOs. With promising results in 1970 and again in 1971, Holden released an updated XU-1 based on the LJ series Torana for 1972. The updated model featured revised frontal and rear styling, plus a number of interior components lifted from the new HQ range. Mechanically, the XU-1 was used to homologate various components such as heavy-duty springs, revised camshaft and lightened flywheel. With new Globe Sprintmaster mag wheels and 3.08:1 diff, the Toranas were capable of touching 225km/h down Conrod Straight. At Bathurst in 1972, the wet weather and driving genius of Peter Brock combined to defeat the mighty GT-HOs in the Hardie Ferodo 500. Brock went on to win the 1973 Australian Touring Car Championship and earn a “Giant Killer” reputation along the way.

The production LJ XU-1 boasted some impressive performance figures – the 202-cid six churning out 190 bhp at 5600 rpm, breathing through triple Stromberg carburettors. The body image was improved, with a big boot lid spoiler, blackouts and some wild colours (not to mention names), along with a 17-gallon fuel tank. With combined numbers manufactured of around 3,300 XU-1s in both LC and LJ versions, very few unmolested original examples remain intact. Most have been raced, rallied or destroyed in accidents. Consequently, prices of genuine XU-1s have shown rapid appreciation in recent times, further driving today’s high demand.

Like a lot of cars entered in this sale, the Torana in its various guises was a fairly regular sight on New Zealand roads. In those days it was not uncommon for people to do an OE in Australia and bring home a hard to obtain vehicle when their stint concluded. The Torana that we are selling in this sale is something of a rarity. It was delivered new in New Zealand and first registered in the Christchurch suburb of Hornsby on 1 November 1973. Underlining the rarity of this vehicle is its prime state, including its almost psychedelic purple colour, Globe mags, archetype steering wheel, one exterior mirror, and a pristine black vinyl interior. It is our understanding that its condition is the consequence of a restoration that took place some years ago, though an exact date is unknown. Speedo reads 5,219 miles, which is undoubtedly second time around. Our vendor has owned and cared for the vehicle for many years. When Webb’s visited its location, it was well and truly molly coddled with soft coverings despite substantive garaging.

A quality Australian collectable meeting the trifecta of condition, rarity and investment potential.