For sale is a ONE OFF GMH Homologation special L34 Torana SL/R 5000. A purpose built race car that dominated race circuits in the hands of racing legends Brock, Sampson, Bond, Harvey, Morris, Richards, Forbes, Janson, Bartlett, O'Brien, Negus and Skelton. A race winning combo resulting in a Hardie Ferodo 2, 3, 4 finish in 1974; 1, 2, 3 finish in 1975 and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7th in the 1976 great race. Without any doubt, the L34 is firmly stamped into the record books at Mount Panorama.
One of only 263 L34 Toranas ever built, this unrestored low mileage Saffron Metallic LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 is proudly offered for sale. This is the only L34 produced with a factory vinyl roof and was dealer fitted when new with a Webasto slide back sunroof. With only 59,910 Kilometres on the clock, this rare L34 Torana is located in our Sydney Showroom for your inspection.
With a backdrop of the "Super car Scare" where the big three Aussie car manufacturers were threatened with cancelled government orders if they continued to build 140MPH supercars for the streets, GMH quietly announced the L34 Torana to their dealer network. Normally a new or upgraded model such as this would bring a raft of advertising and announcements, but the L34 was released in rather sneaky circumstances. According to many sources, Holden were so careful as to not alert the public/government of this car’s upgrades that many of the L34’s in showrooms weren’t fully complete with all their running gear, and some even suggest that Holden instructed its dealer network that buyers needed to apply to purchase the car, and it would only be sold to them if they were in possession of a CAMS competition license. They only wanted very skilled and responsible drivers to be cruising the streets in this particular car.
Developed by Holden, HDT and Harry Firth as a ready-made production race car, the L34 was powered by the trusty 308 V8 reworked by Repco Engine Developments, using much of the thinking from the then current Formula 5000 open-wheelers. It featured a strengthened block, a specific non-production crankshaft, upgraded rods and pistons, along with a special cam, roller rockers, unique heads and a host of other features. It ran a twin point and twin coil ignition, a high pressure fuel pump plus tubular steel extractors and a heavy duty radiator for improved cooling. There was also a High Output option designed specifically for would be racers which upgraded the L34 with additional go fast goodies, including upgraded camshaft and rockers, plus a Holley 780 carburettor.
The L34 utilised the M21 heavy duty gearbox and stronger back axle, uprated 11" disc brakes up front and 10" drums at the rear and bigger 14" steel Rally wheels. The bolt on flares were there to cover up the wider rubber and inside the centre console and boot mat were deleted to save weight.
Mindful of any more backfires from a then anti-supercar high performance world, Holden claimed a modest 240 horses for the L34, though a well sorted L34 would probably hit more like 350 Hp.
FOR SALE is a very special L34, a well known example that has appeared on Muscle Car posters and is the only L34 produced with the factory black vinyl roof. Completed by GMH in August, 1974 and delivered to the original Queensland owner, the Torana was dealer fitted from new with the Webasto slide back sunroof perfect for the sunny North Queensland climate. Four owners have subsequently owned the L34 including the current owner who has owned the Torana since 1998. During the previous ownership the vinyl roof was removed and the roof, bonnet and rear quarters were repainted. The rest of the car is presented in original factory paint. In the current ownership, the vinyl roof has been replaced and a receipt of this works is included in the photo gallery.
The original HZ motor was replaced early in the car's history with a Nasco replacement engine (Date coded - 4th month 1976) built to better than L34 specs with roller rockers, L34 valves, a Hi-Volume Oil Pump, Rochester Carby, dual coils, L34 dizzy, H&M Headers, single thermo fan and a heavy duty radiator. According to the current owner, this engine is certainly more powerful than a standard L34 engine. Gears are changed via the L34 spec M21 gearbox and the 3.08 ratio diff.
The interior is in immaculate original condition with excellent original Black Golf Ball trim and door cards, original hood lining, dash, gauges, AM radio, steering wheel and carpets. The L34 is showing 59,910 Klms on the clock which is believed to be genuine. The Torana also comes with the owners manual, ownership history and receipt file and two sets of keys.
The L34 is riding on factory L34 Rally wheels with Nankang 215/60R14 all round. There is also a set of Hotwire alloy wheels with Bridgestone 245/50R14 for the front and 265/50R14 on the rear. In the boot is a genuine L34 Rally rim with a Hankook 215/60R14.
This is certainly a rare and highly desirable Torana that you will be very proud to own and is ready to be driven and enjoyed. A rare important part of Australian motor racing history and a must have for the Torana collector.
Located in our Sydney Showroom for your inspection. (Ref: 6532)
We will gladly arrange a video inspection of the car using WhatsApp, and of course there is no issue with door to door transport anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.
Price: $179,990 VIN: 8D69ZDJ444539H Chassis No: ALH016820M Engine: L34 Engine No. NT8685 Transmission: M21 Diff: GU4 Paint: 567-15823 Trim: 1881-19V Build: 8-1974
