Australian Muscle Car Sales

Concours restored by one of Australia's most knowledgeable Torana collectors, this 3/1972 LJ GTR XU-1 Torana was saved from a certain death on a farm in country NSW. Now for sale from our Sydney Showroom.

One of the very rare early LJ XU-1s built in the first 100 or so, this XU-1 is one of only a few still in existence today. These rare early cars are known as the rubber fuel line models and most of these XU-1s ended up as Group C race cars before being sent back to the Dealers to be sold to the public. The specific parts for these early XU-1s are rare and hence it took 3 years to track down the correct 3/72 parts for the restoration of this car.

A Brisbane built XU-1, this Tory was delivered by Sutton’s Chullora, NSW and has evidence of race history with a tow hook on the cross member and roll cage holes (since removed during restoration). The car was then sold to an ACT resident (paperwork with car) before it was taken off the road in 1989 after sustaining accident damage. Not long after this, the car was sold to the last owner who intended to restore it "one day", but never got around to it.

The history of this Torana is now known thanks to the discovery of the original ACT rego papers located in the car's ashtray. Located on a farm among other stored vehicles, this XU-1 had laid dormant since 1989 after it was involved in an accident in Weston in the ACT. In 2018 it was carefully extracted from it's resting place. Any original parts were saved and the car was transported to a first class Sydney panel shop where it was dismantled to it's bare shell and then meticulously restored with over $120,000 spent on panel and paint to rebuild this amazing example back to mint factory presentation. Hundreds of photos record the meticulous restoration and all receipts show just how extensive the project was. The body is a complete bare metal restoration including all the A pillars and various sections through the car.

Numerous period date correct parts were located and every effort made to fit the correct parts to this car. From rare 2/72 date code triple carburettors, 2/72 date code dealer fitted Globe Bathurst alloys (pre Sprintmaster option) to the instruments and all other mechanical parts. Fully rewired with a genuine Auto Creations wiring loom the electrics are also factory correct. The XU-1 now presents in concours condition throughout.

The Torana is running a correct XU-1 head, 899 XU-1 gear box, 3.36 LSD and all XU-1 mechanicals making this car one of the best you’ll find. Running a non-matching 4/72 JP block, everything has been rebuilt to factory specifications. Some of the original parts rescued from the farm have been reconditioned and refitted to the car including the Sutton’s wallet, interior light, ashtrays, console, rear rubber shock boot covers and even the fully functioning LJ Torana AM radio. Also used are numerous NOS parts, plus lots of brand new restoration parts right down to nuts, bolts and screws. The under side of the car is possibly the best one ever completed. A full Merrick reproduction XU-1 exhaust system including all fixings are fitted as well as correct cross member XU-1 spacers.

The XU-1 is full NSW registered with period correct original style 3/72 number plates and comes with hundreds of receipts showing the enormous amount of money spent during the restoration plus a comprehensive hard drive photo file of the car from when it was saved on the farm to the complete restoration from start to finish. The Torana has driven 100 miles since being completed and drives beautifully and will not disappoint. Having completed this incredible life saving project, the owner is once again embarking on another Torana restoration and thus the reason for selling this unique part of Australian and Holden motoring history.

The Torana is supplied with the original Suttons Chullora Dealer Wallet, Owners Manual, Air Chief Radio Operating Manual, 1997 registration certificate from the ACT, 2 sets of keys plus a Torana Technical Data Chart, period Torana magazine ads plus the Globe Alloy Wheels ad showing the dealer option for the Bathurst Globe Wheels as fitted to this XU-1.

This is a must see for any Torana enthusiast. Located in our Sydney Showroom for your inspection. (Ref: 6195)

If you wish, we will gladly arrange an actual/video inspection tour of the car and of course there is no issue to arrange enclosed transport door to door anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

Call Mike on 0414 278 604 or Nicholas 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.