Rare Torana A9X to go under the hammer

Any genuine Torana A9X in at least reasonable condition these days is a highly sought-after vehicle for collectors of Aussie muscle.

But this A9X is extra special. It’s a rare low-kilometre original-condition example – with a mere 9500km on the clock.

It’s also a Torana with a unique connection to Bathurst, the place that might be considered the spiritual home of the A9X. This car was sold new off the showroom floor from Bathurst Holden, and now, 47 years later, it has come full circle as it goes under the hammer in Bathurst by the Macquarie Auction Group.

Bathurst, of course, is the reason for the Torana A9X model’s very existence. After all, this limited-production high-performance Holden was built specifically to win the annual October touring car endurance race at the famous Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst. The A9X failed in its Mountain debut in 1977 but returned triumphant 12 months later, with Peter Brock and Jim Richards claiming honours for the Holden Dealer Team. Brock, Richards and the HDT backed up again in ’79 by a record-breaking six-lap margin, with Torana A9Xs filling the first eight positions.

The other record broken that day by an A9X was the lap record – which was famously achieved by Peter Brock on the very final lap of the race.

This Palais White four-door A9X is described as ‘pristine and not been touched inside or out’. Aside from non-standard wheels and tyres, it is claimed to be in original specification. It retains its original owner's manual and books, and comes with a custom wooden plaque.

It’s a matching numbers car and comes with documentation verifying the car's authenticity from Holden and the Torana A9X Club of Australia.

The online auction 'Classic Cars and Garagenalia' at Macquarie Auction Group goes live on June 18 and concludes on July 6. For more info go to Macquarie Auction Group or contact Michael Tickle on 0422 220 101 or email michael@macquarieauctions.com.au.