145 replies to this topic

[Collo]

Off the top of my head, I'd agree with it.

[yel327]

I'd place them like this (Holdens anyway) - my opinions only of course!

Most Influential - HK GTS 327.

Most Collectable - toss up between A9X hatch and HK GTS327.

Most Successful as a race car - HT GTS350 manual in Bathurst 1969 guise. Probably then almost (if not) equalled by L34 and A9X.

You'd have to throw the XA RPO83 in there as a successful race car too alongside the L34. I know it was lucky to win in both 1973 and 1974 (Toranas should have won both years except for some super bad luck) but it was a damn good car. The Phase III was a great road car but only ever beat a 186 powered LC at Bathurst 1971.

Where the L34 has it over the others is the special licence. But it also wasn't a "race" car as you bought it. You needed a race upgrade kit (induction, cam etc). The HK GTS327, HT GTS350, 1971 and 1972 Bathurst spec XU-1's were raced as they were bought, and won that way in 1968, 69 and 72.

In the end if the HDT L34 hadn't been black flagged in 1974 for a loose sump bolt (or HDT had worked it out quickly) and the car had won Bathurst 1974 then maybe it would have been regarded as the pinnacle winning Bathurst all 3 years it entered (in a row)?

Again my opinions only, and others could easily agrgue differently. And I wouldn't knock back an original L34! I'd only have an A9X hatch or 1973 spec Bathurst XU-1 over one because they have 2 doors and because they were rarer, but I'd have an L34 over an A9X 4 door anyday.

[MRLXSS]

Im 100% with yel327 and chrome yella!

[TerrA LX]

HRT427 would have to be the MOST vehicle holdens ever produced, if you can afford one...

[Collo]

Yeah Now that its been mentioned, the one car I'd probably take over an L34 is an E49 Charger.

Anyone know how many E49s' were built?

[76lxhatch]

I agree with the before statements,

but if I can just add, although you have brought up inividual features of individual vehicles,

If you were to have a check sheet would all of the examples mentioned be able to tick all factors.

i.e monaro and xu1 build numbers = not so rear

Problem is those tick boxes are your criteria; I know you said to leave emotions out of it but that's near impossible with classic cars like these and everyone has a different opinion. I like the hatches too

[yel327]

as a owner of a l34, i would have to agree with yel327, personally there is no way i would swap for a a9x 4dr, but a a9x hatch, hk327, ht350,rpo83 coupe, maybe. as for rare, e49 charger, a9x hatch, 73 xu1, rpo83, l34, as for numbers left who knows?

Hmm. I'll remember that one day... When my Warwick yellow GTS327 is complete, i'll probably be looking to offload my Picardy red HK GTS327. I'm only keeping it as a template so I can get the yellow car right, and because it's basically 95% correct (needs a full restore though). The yellow car won't have stock mechanicals but I want it to be stock in body, trim, nuts, bolts etc.

[Toranavista]

Collectability is subjective. Rarity and Desirability are also unrelated. I love the L34 but it has always been the poor cousin to the A9X as far as market value is concerned. They should be of equal value and the L34 has caught up in the last few years. Just like the LH SLR 5000 never pulls the dollars of the LX SLR 5000. Either way I always judge a car on its own merrits rather than the badge.

[kudu]

Just like the LH SLR 5000 never pulls the dollars of the LX SLR 5000. Either way I always judge a car on its own merrits rather than the badge.

....And why is that do you think? I mean they were the first of the model, looked better etc etc. But then that's the case with the LC's and LJ's as well isn't it? The LJ's being the later model and more desirable?

[Toranavista]

....And why is that do you think? I mean they were the first of the model, looked better etc etc. But then that's the case with the LC's and LJ's as well isn't it? The LJ's being the later model and more desirable?

I agree they look better I have one. I think the LJ's and LX's were the updated models so for years people tried to convert there LC's into LJ's and LH's into LX's. I think that times have changed and more people are keeping the original character of the cars. The LH in SL and SLR configuration is a very pretty car with all of the stainless steel trims. likewise, I love the grills on the LC's. I have a few LX's so feel qualified to comment on the LH.

[76lxhatch]

if I am incorrect, can you give an non-emotive example of a criteria for a collectable murscle car?

You're not incorrect, but the criteria is different for different people and most are emotive. I guess return on investment in pure $ terms is unbiased but we wouldn't be enthusiasts if we were that detached. I guess my opinion is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

[yel327]

if I am incorrect, can you give an non-emotive example of a criteria for a collectable murscle car?

Have a read of the AMC ID handbook. They give a pretty good try at defining an Aussie Muscle Car. I think any of them (by their definition) is collectable.

To me they are (Holdens only quoted and pre 1980):

HK GTS327
HT GTS327
LC XU1 in Bathurst Spec
LJ XU1 in 1972 and 1973 Bathurst spec
LH L34
LX A9X

[REDA9X]

Just on the 427 Monaro, yes there were 3 race versions built, 2 by GRM and I think the third by Team Brock. The road going versions however, one show car (fitted with a Gen3) and one pre-production car, which was formally owned by Yellowa9x's and I was lucky enough to drive at Eastern Creek in 2007.
With the phase 4's you have a similar story, 3 GT's prepared to race and one production car. I saw the production car out for a Sunday drive last year, I couldn't believe my eyes, looked like brand new.

On the L34, I'd have to say it's probably the rare collectable production car, certainly in the Holden stable. Only 263 built and a lot were actually raced, so finding a good one these days is hard to do. Most have been modified / upgraded due to weak diffs and gearboxes, and the HO kit was an expensive dealer option, so not many got it. When you consider the cars were around the 6 Grand mark, the kit off the shelf was $1500 and then you had to get it fitted on top of that, well, you can see why not many bothered.
Some have said they wouldn't swap their L34 for an A9X sedan, and for collectability if the car is in original condition, I can understand that, however an A9X is an overall better car, but if we bought them for that reason, we'd all drive the latest VE HSV, or something alike. A hatch is rarer, but to drive they are no different. I've got both in the shed at the moment and I personally like the look of a hatch better, plus of course 100 vs 305, you'll always get better dollars, that and the fact Holden promoted the hatch on the track.

I think if you looked outside Holden, the E49 Chargers would be the rare collectable car as there were very few built, and they had options like the big tank making them rarer again.

Why this was started in brakes and wheels, I have no idea but you will note it's been moved.

[unclefestal34s]

red you make some good points,..6 years ago i made the mistake of selling my hq monaro gts 4door factory 350 4speed muncie cyan blue ,the car was fully powered optioned also fitted with a slide back sunroof they only built 53 factory 4speeds sedans and from memory 200 350 coupe manuals..that to me was a collectible car,i thought was going forward by upgrading to a hg 350 monaro gts...this argument or debate will go on for years to come as a lot us have strong and sometime biased opinions..me included..