Time for another Holden. This time the car which 9-times Bathurst winner Peter Brock scored his first Bathurst win - in 1972.
The Torana XU1 GTR was another of the 6-clyinder cars which fit within the Australian Muscle Car heritage. It was, like the Falcon GTHO and the Charger E39, conceived as an homologation special for the Series Production touring car rules. The car spearheaded Holden's Bathurst attack for years from 1970 to 1973.
In 1970 there were three Holden Dealer Team Torana XU1. These were for Colin Bond, Peter Brock/Bob Morris and Christine Cole/Sandra Bennett. Bond qualified 4th, Brock/Morris 6th and Cole/Bennett 24th. A privately entered car for Don Holland qualified 5th, and was the first Torana home in 3rd. The Cole/Bennett HDT Torana was the first home of the three factory cars in 13th. Bond finished 16th and Brock/Morris were only 37th.
In 1971, Bond and Brock drove the HDT Toranas. Brock qualified in 11th, Bond in 15th. Bond went on to finish 4th, Brock 8th.
In 1972, Brock won the race after qualifying 5th. Bond crashed out on lap 2.
The 1973 race was the first year for the new Group C touring car regulations, and it was the first 1000km race (before this it was 500 miles). The Brock/Chivas car qualified in 2nd, the Bond/Geohagen car in 5th. Brock/Chivas looked set to win until they ran out of petrol while trying to stretch the economy. Chivas was able to push the car into the pits and Bond took over to drive brilliantly back through the field to finish 2nd. The Bond/Geohagen car finished 3rd.
Specs:
The LC Torana XU1 was introduced in July 1970. The LJ was introduced in 1972.
Total built:LC - 1,633. LJ - 1,667
Engine (1970 LC): 3050 cc six-clyinder (186 cu in). (1972 LJ): 3300 cc (202 cu in) six-clyinder. Both engines featured triple side draught Stromberg carburettors and twin manifold exhaust system.
Power: (1970 LC) 119kW@5200rpm. (1972 LJ) 142kW@5600 rpm.
Torque: (1970 LJ) 257Nm@3600rpm. (1972 LJ) 270Nm@4000 rpm.
Suspension: Front - Independent short and long arm type with coil springs, one piece stabiliser bar, double acting telescopic dampeners. Rear - Four-link type with rubber bush suspension arms and coil springs, double acting telescopic dampeners
Brakes: front discs, rear drums.
Transmission: 4speed all-synchro M21 manual with limited slip differential. Wheels (1972 LJ) Front 13"x 8" Globe sprintmasters. Rear 13"x9" Globe sprintmasters
Performance: 0-60 mph (LC) 8.6 secs, standing quarter (LC) 16.3 secs, top speed 129 mph.
Weight: (LC & LJ) 1,103 kg.
Length: (LC & LJ) 4387mm.
Width (LC) 1600mm. (LJ) 1543mm.
Wheelbase (LC & LJ) 2540mm.
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