Blow out

Just like today, car makers were obsessed with fuel economy, emission controls and downsizing in the late 1970s and early '80s, in the face of a global energy crisis and growing concerns over air pollution. V8s and muscle cars were suddenly out of style as Ford, Holden and the local motoring press experimented with turbocharging as a performance alternative. AMC reflects on a pioneering era in Australian muscle car history.

Story: James Cockington

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Blow for go

Here’s proof that as early as 1976, General Motors-Holden was seriously thinking about a turbocharged production car.

This was the year that the Australian automotive industry first had to deal with strict new emission control regulations (ADR 27a). These came into force on July 1. Just like arch rival Ford Australia, GM-H was heading into un-chartered waters so it saw the turbo as a possible way of producing more power from engines that could potentially be strangled by new pollution control devices. They also used less petrol.

The ultimate disguise for a factory test mule - except the burning rubber!

Holden sponsored research into a turbo kit for its 3.3-litre (202ci) six cylinder engine. NormalAir Garrett, the Australian affiliate of the U.S. Garrett Corporation, was hired to adapt the technology it had already developed for use on light aircraft, trucks and a fleet of small sedans sold in high-altitude countries like Iran.