69 replies to this topic

[Dr Terry]

A9X was not built as a race car. It was a very nice road car that homologated parts for race cars, which is a far cry from the series production stuff. Yes some A9X road cars were raced, but that is no different to other stuff like Cortinas, Toyotas, GTS sedan etc.

I think you're being a little pedantic Byron, the A9X was a special case. No "Cortinas, (Aust) Toyotas or GTS sedans" were raced in group C, but the A9X was & it virtually 'owned' the category by 1979.

The 1970, 71 & 72 XU1s were built to race as is, but the 1973 XU-1s were allowed freedoms, because Series Production was no longer & the L34 was always allowed freedoms like any other group C car. So technically the L34 wasn't designed to race in the form that it left the factory, as the early XU1s were. We have a guy in our car club who raced an XU1 at Bathurst in 1970 & in his words they took delivery of the car on Wednesday, drove it to Bathurst & raced it that way Sunday, you didn't do that with any 1973 onwards car.

The Ford XC & the A9X were unique in that CAMS allowed them to race with old XA & L34 engines respectively.

Dr Terry

[Dr Terry]

Back to the original question, AFAIK the only 'limited edition' Toranas released that were not intended for racing were:

LH Plus 4
LH G-Pak 2 Versions (Feb 75 & Nov 75)
UC Sunbird 4-door Deluxe

All others, like the UC Torana Deluxe, UC Sunbird SL & SL/E, as well as the various HB Brabhams, were regular production optional model packages, not just limited release 'specials'.

Dr Terry

[TerrA LX]

Agree with Dr Terry on the A9x, if ever a Torana was made specifically for racing it would have to be the A9X, all previous models were production based with hot up parts, the A9X was a new, unique "special edition" chassis which formed the basis of the previously homologated parts to be effectively used to the maximum potential.

[yel327]

I don't think it is Pedantic at all Terry. The Toranas that raced in 1973 (LJ) and 1974-1976 (LH) were essentially modified road cars. The pointy end of race Toranas for 1977-1979 were not A9X road cars, they were essentially a purposebuilt race shell with no compliance. My point was yes some were modified road A9X's, but that was no different to most of the other Group C cars at the time. Coming back to the point that an A9X is not much more than the title/subject of this thread: a special edition road car. I'd class it the same as an XC Cobra. Both had bits incorporated into them for homologation purposes.

 

Didn't a HQ GTS sedan race in 1973 and 1974 under Group C rules? Ron Dickson?

 

I thought there were Cortinas running in Group C? Must be thinking of Crapis. If not there were certainly Escorts, Geminis and Toyota Corollas, Celicas etc.

[a9x868]

Agree with Dr Terry on the A9x, if ever a Torana was made specifically for racing it would have to be the A9X, all previous models were production based with hot up parts, the A9X was a new, unique "special edition" chassis which formed the basis of the previously homologated parts to be effectively used to the maximum potential.

i,m gobsmacked and just a little hurt by some of what is being said here! LOL!

[a9x868]

Dont worry, you are special Dave !

thanks skap
can i remain sceptical of your comment
coz i am gene,s mate afterall

[TerrA LX]

I'm seeing things clearly now for the first time.

[Dr Terry]

I don't think it is Pedantic at all Terry. The Toranas that raced in 1973 (LJ) and 1974-1976 (LH) were essentially modified road cars. The pointy end of race Toranas for 1977-1979 were not A9X road cars, they were essentially a purposebuilt race shell with no compliance. My point was yes some were modified road A9X's, but that was no different to most of the other Group C cars at the time. Coming back to the point that an A9X is not much more than the title/subject of this thread: a special edition road car. I'd class it the same as an XC Cobra. Both had bits incorporated into them for homologation purposes.

 

Didn't a HQ GTS sedan race in 1973 and 1974 under Group C rules? Ron Dickson?

 

I thought there were Cortinas running in Group C? Must be thinking of Crapis. If not there were certainly Escorts, Geminis and Toyota Corollas, Celicas etc.

Yes Ron Dickson raced an HQ 4-door GTS with a 308 in 73 & & changed it to a 350 SBC for 74.

 

I think we are on the same page with this Byron, all Series Production, Improved Tourers, Group C, Group A & early V8 (pre 'Supercars') were 'modified road cars' even if some were built from race shells. The fact that the A9X was essentially made to homologate new parts for Torana racers doesn't mean that many were bought as 'real' A9Xs, modified & then raced. Group C Commodores were no different, some were 'real' cars & some were built from shells. A lot of 'race' A9Xs were really L34s with the Super T10 & disc rear end fitted. Moffat's 1977 1-2 cars were XB GTs with an XC front grafted on. None of this takes away from the fact that you could still buy a new A9X or XC Ford, modify it according to the rules & race it. This is what they were designed & sold for, just like EH S4s, Cortina GTs, Cooper Ss, or any other 'hot' street car. 

 

As I said what made the A9X unique (along with the XC Ford) was that CAMS allowed the earlier (non-ADR27A) engines to be utilised. This allowance was withdrawn in 1980, which is why Brock's early Commodores were so underpowered, he was forced to run stock small valve heads, until his versions were homologated. Had ADR27A & the advent of race shells not been introduced, we would not be having this conversation.

 

The Cortina GT500 was also a special edition road car, but was also built to race. 

 

 

Dr Terry

[StephenSLR]

I think I remember seeing a few Torana's when I was a kid running big Sunbird lettering and a stripe on the rear quarters,or door maybe.

 

I was just about to agree with that but I think I'm confusing it with Sandpiper Geminis.

 

 

s

[StephenSLR]

I am thinking things like the G Pack,that stood out with its blackouts, not just trim and option specials.

 

What about the SL/R fashion packs?

Perhaps not an edition on its own but is it still worthy of a menton?

 

 

s

Edited by StephenSLR, 15 October 2014 - 02:57 PM.

[Statler]

That's the 'Bagpiper' addition. lol

 

It was just a trim option. To refer to it as a 'SL/R' option is misleading. 

[StephenSLR]

That's the 'Bagpiper' addition. lol

 

It was just a trim option. To refer to it as a 'SL/R' option is misleading. 

 

Ah.

Cheers.

 

Was it officially called a 'fashion pack'?

Doing a google seems to predominantly result in Gemini fashion packs.

 

s

Edited by StephenSLR, 15 October 2014 - 03:18 PM.

[yel327]

I didn't think you could get A8T Fashion Pack on a Torana? Only on Gemini and Sunbird. Trim codes were 18A, 18B and 18C.

 

There was another special Gemini package - the XX7 sports variant. Called the Gypsy.

[RallyRed]

thought I recall seeing an A9X on AMCS???? with that trim, ...a while ago?

[yel327]

Maybe special CTV order? Thr colour/trim manual (which is what is used for dealer orders) only has A8T for Gemini and Sunbird. But a CTV was the easiest non standard Thing to order.

[StephenSLR]

I like SL/T Torana's

 

Do you know how many were built

 

Try this thread:

 

http://www.gmh-toran...-slt-were-made/

 

s

[mika03au]

Did they fit the SL/T Garret turbo option on the VB Commodore or UC Police "pack" in 1978-79?
 
Donno

UC police pack....never seen Torana as a police car.
Pics or info would be interesting to read about.

[RallyRed]

UCs definitely police cars in NSW.....not HWP, general duties etc......got pulled over by one in Sydney once.

[TerrA LX]

They used GTR's as pursuit cars.