1970 Holden Torana LC GTR XU1 ... (SOLD)

Gob smacked is how I feel. Like what just drove into my life. A vision of beauty that's for sure in the shape of a genuine matching number 1970 Plum Dinger LC GTR XU-1 Torana with LOG BOOKS. For sale from our Sydney Showroom.

It all begins and ends at Mount Panorama. The hard fought enduro with Holden, Chrysler and Ford in full battle mode. CAMS rules of the day pitted showroom cars against each other with the podium winner earning a tremendous sales boost and a deliciously attractive advertisement for the brand.

With Holden putting their faith in the super quick, light weight and nimble Torana over the Monaro GTS, the battle lines were clearly drawn in a David versus Goliath struggle with the Torana eventually ending the Falcon GT-HO’s domination on The Mountain.

It also earned Peter Brock his first winner’s trophy.

In 1969, the HT GTS 350 V8 was the Bathurst winner. The long legs of the big V8 could trounce a Torana GTR on the straight. But one key stat could not be ignored. The 2.6-litre GTR weighed one tonne, or 500kg lighter than the Monaro and Falcons. This inspired Harry Firth, the Holden Dealer Team’s boss, to put the GTR into development early on and try to extract something special in time for 1970 race. So Holden dropped in a 3.1-litre straight six, the Monaro 350’s brake discs, stiffer suspension, and a larger 64-litre fuel tank.

A new front-dam aided cooling and a tiny rear spoiler helped aerodynamics. Revealed as the XU-1 performance and handling package, the newcomer debuted with 118kW and 258Nm. Nowhere near the Monaro’s grunt, but it's weight meant faster corner exits than the Monaro. And the lighter, more frugal XU-1 also meant fewer pit stops.

Holden's faith in the Torana quickly proved a good decision when in September, 1970, Colin Bond, in an XU-1 dusted off Bob Jane’s Monaro 350 at the Gold Star series production race. And by October, the all Torana XU-1 line-up with star drivers Norm Beechey, Colin Bond, and an emerging Peter Brock, took out a class victory but were unable to match the Falcon GT-HOs for outright speed.

For sale is a stunning example of the LC GTR XU-1. The car has been repainted in Plum Dinger acrylic paint approximately 7 years ago and is in showroom condition throughout. The XU-1 features the day one 40V black trim, door cards, roof lining, carpets, crash pad, steering wheel and all gauges. The car is also still fitted with the working dealer fitted AM radio with blue tip aerial. Originally sold by Kevin Dennis Motors in Richmond, VIC, the Torana has covered 74,555 miles and comes with a Holden glove box folder, log books, manuals, original keys, Torana sale brochure and rare GTR-X brochure.

Under the bonnet, the car is just spectacular. The original matching number 3100X 186ci engine is in place and has been rebuilt to factory specifications. The car features the original head, original triple Strombergs, correct date stamped distributor, date code correct Opel 4 speed gearbox and original diff. The car has all the correct clamps, battery terminals, wiper motor, heater box and steering box. All three compliance plates are there and have never been removed from the car and all match the body number. This is as good as it gets and presents as a totally unmolested 10th month 1970 XU-1.

The underside of the car is also in show condition with correct fuel lines, clamps, springs, diff tag and single exhaust to the rear where the current owner has chosen to deviate slightly from originality with a twin system exit.

In the boot is the original long range fuel tank, original tank cover, new boot matt and an original spare tyre on a nibbles steel rim are all in place. The car is riding on 4 original nibbless rims with restored chrome dress rims and genuine caps. The boot spoiler is original with the original boot lock still in place. All the glass is original including the windscreen and the glass is in excellent condition. The chrome is also in original excellent condition.

The LC GTR XU-1 is actually a much harder car to source than it's LJ brother and this Plum Dinger example will absolutely satisfy even the most demanding Torana expert. Proudly for sale from our Sydney Showroom.

Currently on club registration. The current owner has secured the NSW version of the original Victorian number plates KTA 064 if required.

Inspection by appointment in our Sydney Showroom. (Ref. 5949)

We are happy to arrange a video inspection of the car using WhatsApp. Please call for more details and note Door to Door enclosed transport is available anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

Call Mike Selby on 0414 278 604 or Rod Kearns on 0499 577 997 and let us assist you with your inquiries. Also please note if you have a quality Muscle or Classic car you wish to list or have valued please give us a call at AMCS, we will be happy to assist you.