Every automobile-producing country hides a few home-grown secrets—cars that rarely or perhaps never made it past its own borders. For Australia, one such model is the Holden Torana, a sport coupe (also built as a sedan) that just gained some global notoriety among gaming fans thanks to its recent inclusion in Forza Motorsport’s eBay Motors car pack.
Forza fans (who will enjoy this Forza newsletter) can now experience virtual time behind the wheel of the 1977 Holden Torana A9X, a homologation special that was designed specifically to win the legendary Bathurst 1000 race. The A9X option package offered heavy-duty brakes, axles, and rear differential—and it also featured a number of design tweaks intended to feed more cold air to its 5.0-liter V8 engine. Modified to L34 spec, the motor’s stronger internal components, larger valves, exhaust headers, aggressive cam, and big carburetor made it a formidable performer, producing 350 horsepower and 295 pound feet of torque (a nearly 100 horsepower advantage over the standard 5.0-liter Torana).
Although the engine is a transplant, this Torana has been re-sprayed in its original color.
It took until 1978 before the Torana A9X was able to declare victory at Bathurst, but by 1979 it had not only won the race twice but it had also captured the Australian Touring Car Championship two years running (thanks to drivers Peter Brock and Bob Morris). The car became a point of national pride for Australians, a high performance head-turner they could call their own, and more importantly, that American muscle fans could only admire from afar.
All-original Toranas are out there, but affordable models like this 1974 LH Torana typically need some work.
Today, the Torana A9X is a rare beast. Fewer than 300 of the cars were ever built—just enough to qualify for entry into Bathurst—but if you’re looking for a V8 Holden Torana without the A9X option you’ll have an easier time. For around US $10,000, you’ll find more than a few Torana’s in driver condition. If you’re willing to spend a little more, then full-on drag cars, V8-swaps, and trailer queens are also out there. The only catch? You’ll have to pay for shipping from Australia to enjoy the car—unless, of course, you just plug in your X Box One and fire up the latest version of Forza.
