Muscle cars are deeply associated with American culture, tracing their roots to the 1960s. But while the Americans were very good at offering affordable performance in a compact package, usually one involving a big V8, Australians adopted the winning formula of jamming a powerful engine inside a regular car with a small body.
Holden Torana is an Australian car that started as a compact family car in 1967 and ended up becoming a very successful race and rally car after undergoing some modifications with the introduction of the LC GTR-XU1 in 1970.
Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors, made the Torana between 1967 and 1980. Multiple models were built on the same platform, and the nameplate was Holden's most successful sports/performance vehicle.
It was the LC-series Torana that put the model on the map. It was an instant hit with the public, with nearly 75,000 sold between 1969 and 1982. During that decade, the Torana LC GTR-XU1 achieved Australian legendary status, having garnered many victories in rallying and circuit racing, and every hoon in the Land Down Under dreamed of owning one.
Photo: Collecting Cars
Putting a homegrown six-cylinder engine under the hood of an otherwise unassuming car with a low curb weight turned out to be a stroke of genius for the carmaker. It resulted in excellent performance and helped the car win Australia's most prestigious races, thumping even the significantly mightier Ford Falcon GT-HO and Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T E49, which earned it the "giant killer" moniker.
Developed by Harry Firth of the Holden Dealer Team and his engineers, the Holden Torana LC GTR-XU1 was based on the standard two-door Torana LC but hid an upgraded 3.0-liter straight-six fitted with triple Zenith-Stromberg CD-150 carburetors under its hood. The engine also benefitted from a hot cam, an increased compression ratio, and performance headers.
The engine developed 160 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, with magazine tests at the time claiming a best quarter-mile time of 16.1 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph (200 kph).
The relatively high output - by that period's standard - combined with the vehicle's low curb weight of 1,030 kgs (2,270 lbs) contributed to great performance and handling, and consequently to the model's impressive success. And these are the performance figures for the street version of the LC GTR-XU1.
Photo: Collecting Cars
In race trim, the output was closer to the 200-hp mark, and the car was also fitted with uprated brakes and suspension, keeping the Holden brand competitive in the Hardie- Ferodo 500 endurance race, the precursor of the modern-day Bathurst 1000.
Torana's key rival on the track was the much more powerful Ford Falcon GT-HO, which was capable of outputting 300 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Even so, the GTR-XU1 proved a worthy contender, and it quickly gained popularity in Australian motorsport. It amassed a slew of victories in rallying and circuit racing, with the most memorable being Peter Brock's win at the 1972 Hardie-Ferodo 500.
Approximately 3,300 examples of the GTR-XU1 muscle car are said to have been built between 1970 and 1973 (totaling both the LC and the later LJ series units), and they were offered at a price of AUD $3,214 upon release.
One of the surviving examples is the one you see in the gallery above. This is an original first-year, Brisbane-built 1970 Holden Torana LC GTR-XU1 that underwent a comprehensive restoration and is now equipped with a selection of new old stock parts.
It wears a Rally Red livery with Black sills and chrome bumpers and body trims. It also boasts a red grille stripe, black mudflaps, and a black rear end. It rides on a set of black 13-inch wheels featuring chrome dress rims and red center caps to match the body paint.
Photo: Collecting Cars
It also boasts two discreet spoilers, one on the rear lip of the trunk for downward thrust and one tucked under the nose for negative lift, which help provide maximum stability and road adhesion. These spoilers are the major mark of the XU1, along with the "GTR-XU1” decals on the back spoiler and front fender.
Under its hood sits a correct 3100X Prefix six-cylinder mill fitted with three Zenith-Stromberg CD-150 carburetors, cast-iron headers, and 2815843 Xu1 head performance camshaft. It sends power back through a heavy-duty Aussie four-speed manual gearbox.
Inside the cab, it boasts black vinyl upholstery, front and rear quarter light windows, and a three-spoke steering wheel with a chequered center.
This 1970 unit of the Holden Torana LC GTR-XU1 is offered for sale out of Tuggerah in New South Wales, Australia. Its odometer shows just 1,909 miles (3,072 km), but this is not warranted, according to the listing. The current bid sits at just AUD $45,000, though original cars have sold lately for prices well into the six figures. Anyone looking for some non-American muscle to add to their car collection could get this vibrant example for a bargain.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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