Hey everyone, this week we feature a showcase of a couple of great builds from a kindred soul from the opposite side of the world. These are a couple of prime examples of Aussie Muscle cars built by Andy from Queensland, Australia. First up is technically not a muscle car but still a great example of Australian Vintage Vehicles, this ’58 Holden FE Utility, affectionately known as the Ute looks original but is 2 inches lower, has deep dish 13×7″ and 13×6″ wheels, a 1960’s 186S six cylinder race motor, 5 speed manual gear box, disc brake front end and a chassis kit.
This ’72 Holden GTR XU-1, ex-race car was brought back to 1973 original factory/Bathurst race homologation specifications. Andy painted in the original acrylic colors and with the factory 202ci, triple CD175 carbs, 4 speed M21 manual gearbox it is more then capable of reaching 125 mph very quickly. The Holden Torana GTR XU-1, referred to as the Giant Killer, was designed to compete against the Ford Phase III GTHO Falcon. This little six-cylinder car was a very successful sports car in rallies, hill climbs, rally-cross and circuit races as well as becoming extremely popular with privateers due to the competitiveness and the cost of maintaining it compared to the Ford Falcon GTHO. The XU1 proved itself and won championships in 1971, 72, 73 Winning Bathurst in 1972 and was winning Bathurst by several laps in 1973 until the car ran out of fuel late in the race and eventually came home second after being pushed uphill into the pits.
Here is a ’77 Holden SLR5000 Torana which Andy has just finished, this fierce little gem features a 308ci V8 not out to 314ci, M21 manual 4 speed gearbox. Restored to the original A9X sedan/Bathurst homolagation specification including body kit, wheels, engine and interior this one includes a custom induction cowl rather then just the factory scoop. The under publicized introduction for this car was mirrored by the absolute dominance that it maintained for a number of years on the local racing circuit. The pinnacle was Bathurst 1979 when an A9X (hatchback) driven by the late Peter Brock and co-driver Jim Richards demolished the entire field winning by a never to be beaten 6 laps and smashing the lap record on the last lap (lap 163).
Andy does recommend a YouTube video of NASCAR’s Darrell Waltrip being driven around the Bathurst track which is found here (YouTube video). So finally a big Thank You to Andy for sharing these great examples of Australian Muscle cars and for keeping automotive history alive and running fast.