Those in Australia in the 1970s will remember the A9X Torana. This is a classic Australian car that was a spectacular and powerful muscle car that was one of the best touring cars going around the track in an era of remarkable muscle cars and racing history.
It is said that the A9X is one of the best muscles cars released by Holden, using the best technology of the time to create a legend. There were not many going around, with a total of 305 sedans, 100 hatchbacks and 33 GMP&A lightweight race car shells. For its time, the A9X was the first Holden with all four wheels to have a disc braking system. Also, something special on this car was a Salisbury rear axle and rear discs. The diff was 3.08 with steering bolted into the platform. A T10 gearbox from Borg-Warner was optional, with the M21 4-speed gearbox the standard. Now, getting to the engine, this beast was an L31 5-litre V8. With the SL/R 5000 sedan and the SS hatchback LX Torana, the A9X kit was an optional extra.
Handling had improvements of being Radial Tuned Suspension, with the disc brakes giving the A9X an advantage in braking. So, not only was this car powerful in a straight line but it had terrific handling for a high-performance 5-litre V8.
Being built for performance and speed, the inside was stripped down of sound deadening equipment, no radio, and only the bare essential equipment and with seats mounted in a different way to usual. With the looks, the A9X contains SLR bolt-on flares and rear spoiler, a functional reverse air scoop and brake cooling ducts in the front spoiler. One of the 100 changes to the design of the A9X was a blacked-out bonnet; all these differences let people know that you were driving a special kind of car. This Torana was king of the track from 1977 to 1979, with the Commodore taking over the mantle in 1980.
With the limited run of A9X Toranas, these cars have been highly sort after at the time and something that car collectors would love to get their hands on. Why wouldn’t someone want one of the most legendary of Australian muscle cars?
The iconic A9X may well arguably be Australia’s greatest muscle car, and this 1977 model looks particularly sweet in factory ‘Jasmine Yellow’ with a contrasting black interior.
Holden Torana A9X Specifications
Years of production: 1977
Body: Unitary
Engine: 5.0 V8
Power: 186kW @ 4800rpm
Torque: 434Nm @ 3400rpm
0-100km/h: 7.2 seconds
400m: 15.4 seconds
Gearbox: 4-manual
Suspension: Wishbones, coils (front); live axle, coils, trailing arms (rear)
Brakes: 4 wheel disc
Holden Torana A9X Race Highlights
· 1978 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 – 1st (Brock/Richards)
· 1978 ATCC – 1st (Peter Brock, 3 wins)
· 1979 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 – 1st (Brock/Richards)
· 1979 ATCC – 1st (Bob Morris, 4 wins)
The legendary last lap of the 1979 Bathurst enduro. Peter Brock takes the race win by a massive six lap lead, setting a new lap record on this final lap.
