Unique Cars Win a Torana GTR XU-1

csv8 · 23-12-2011, 10:14 AM

The Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 changed the face of Australian performance motoring, proving that you didn’t need a V8 to be a bona-fide muscle car.

It’s giant-killing performances ended the domination of Ford’s GT-HO Phase III and gave Peter Brock his first Bathurst win in 1972. With a pedigree like that, it’s little wonder the XU-1 has become an Aussie motoring icon – and a perfect Unique Cars giveaway car candidate.

When we picked up ‘our’ XU-1, we wondered whether it would need the usual attention we lavish on our giveaway cars – it already looked mint!

But that pretty purple paintwork hid a few surprises, which have since been rectified thanks to Corporate Auto Body and Rare Spares.

In the words of Uncle Phil, “it was good when we started, now it’s sensational.”

Chris from Corporate Auto Body adds, “it looks 100 percent better than when Holden made it!”

Total prize value is $85,000 including delivery and on-road costs. Enter as many times as you like using original Unique Cars coupons, enter online, or subscribe for more chances to win. Entries close on 10 July 2012!
http://www.uniquecarsmag.com.au/comp...mpetition.aspx

svo347 · 23-12-2011, 10:22 AM

Wow.... Id love to win one.... Just to sell it n buy a new GT!!!!

mik · 23-12-2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svo347

Wow.... Id love to win one.... Just to sell it n buy a new GT!!!!

i like your thinking

flappist · 23-12-2011, 02:52 PM

Well I think an XU-1 would be a brilliant toy. I would loan it to a museum such as Bowdens or whomever so everyone can enjoy it and it would be looked after in the manner it deserves.

Falcman0o7 · 23-12-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svo347

Wow.... Id love to win one.... Just to sell it n buy a new GT!!!!

Me 2! i'd rather a good XW XY GT replica with the tough stance and V8 growl, It's what a muscle car is! Not a little 3.3 2 door with a bum like a pinto.

2011G6E · 23-12-2011, 03:40 PM

"Not a little 3.3 two door"...that can easily wipe the floor with most V8's...
I wonder how many people have actually been in a little Torana coupe with a worked 202, much less a proper XU1? It's a shocking experience...the damn things are a real weapon and are so small they "feel" a lot quicker than they already are.

The "V8 GT/Monaro prize" has been done to death...time for some other cars to get some recognition like the GTR-XU1 and E49 Chargers...

pottery beige · 23-12-2011, 03:47 PM

id love to own it.. lols to the hater brigade around here.. was a great time and great cars from all makes..
your big tough GTs wouldnt have been the cars they were without the XU 1s.....

Falcman0o7 · 23-12-2011, 04:33 PM

It doesn't matter what it did or how quick it is beacuse at the end of the day it's still a LITTLE 3.3 2 DOOR WITH A BUM LIKE A PINTO.

Rodp · 23-12-2011, 04:39 PM

LJ, best Trana of the lot. Was close to buying one with a 308 shoehorned in it about 20 years ago, the only thing that stopped me was it was PINK!

Uncle Niceguy · 23-12-2011, 04:41 PM

this car is a true aussie icon just like the HO and any real car enthusiast will show this car the respect it deserves no matter what badge it carries. regardless i'd love it in my garage!!!

Geez Louise · 23-12-2011, 04:47 PM

There is no need for anyone else to enter....I have submitted my entry and will win it

davids_gxl · 23-12-2011, 04:47 PM

Its related to daewoo isnt it.The company that daewoo bought a fare few years ogo.

Falcman0o7 · 23-12-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davids_gxl

Its related to daewoo isnt it.The company that daewoo bought a fare few years ogo.

Trolling withdrawn....

gtxb67 · 23-12-2011, 04:50 PM

to each their own, but i don't want it
however i show respect to everything, no matter how hideous it is, more so with cars. i certainly won't enter - it should go to someone who does want it, not someone who will on sell it
hopefully the winner loves xu-1's and will cherish it

i do like flappist's idea, but it would be nice for it to get driven as well

Iggypoppin' · 23-12-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcman0o7

Trolling withdrawn....

Haters gon' hate.

350125GO · 23-12-2011, 05:05 PM

mmm torana, entered!

flappist · 23-12-2011, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtxb67

to each their own, but i don't want it
however i show respect to everything, no matter how hideous it is, more so with cars. i certainly won't enter - it should go to someone who does want it, not someone who will on sell it
hopefully the winner loves xu-1's and will cherish it

i do like flappist's idea, but it would be nice for it to get driven as well

I said loan......it would still have the odd day off

Although I am a bit tall to drive a LJ, they are a bit "bendy".

raptorv8 · 23-12-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

"Not a little 3.3 two door"...that can easily wipe the floor with most V8's...
I wonder how many people have actually been in a little Torana coupe with a worked 202, much less a proper XU1? It's a shocking experience...the damn things are a real weapon and are so small they "feel" a lot quicker than they already are.

The "V8 GT/Monaro prize" has been done to death...time for some other cars to get some recognition like the GTR-XU1 and E49 Chargers...

Yeah in the dry it was only 7 seconds slower around Bathurst than the gt, really showed those v8s

I like the car, but the reality is it couldn't come close to a HO on most roads or tracks unless it rained or the gt ran out of tyres.

gtxb67 · 23-12-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raptorv8

Yeah in the dry it was only 7 seconds slower around Bathurst than the gt, really showed those v8s

I like the car, but the reality is it couldn't come close to a HO on most roads or tracks unless it rained or the gt ran out of tyres.

not sure if it was 7 seconds (at racing pace anyway), but a standard xu-1 never beat a standard ho at bathurst in the 500 - but as you suggested a slightly modified one only beat it because of rain - it still won, but it needed outside circumstances to do it

Stefan · 23-12-2011, 05:32 PM

PFFT any late model hot hatch would be all over this thing like white on rice...

Would be nice to win and flog the absolute ar$e off it in front of some holden fans.

2011G6E · 23-12-2011, 06:02 PM

Any true car nut should just be happy that at a stage in our motoring history, cars like this were built at all.
They mightn't have the best brakes, the best steering, be as powerful as some modern four cylinder cars (OK, a lot of new four cylinder cars...), are a bit rough around the edges, but what they have in spades is character.

New GT's, FPV's, and HSV's are all just a Falcon or Commodore with a few flash bits. They go hard, the handle magnificently and ride in comfort...but there's little that will make someone in thirty years look back wistfully at them and line up a shows to see one.
However, the Falcon, Monaro, Torana, and Charger special models from the early seventies were built with one thing in mind: getting special parts homologated for racing, and the road versions usually showed it by being worse to live with than a standard model of the same car...harsher handling, abysmal "economy", rougher ride...but that's what gives them thier charisma today. As I said, one ride in a hard-driven GTR-XU1 will have you thinking "is this thing even legal to be on the road...?", and it's this very thing that we love about them.

Let's hope thier next build up giveaway car is an E49 copy!!!

flappist · 23-12-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtxb67

not sure if it was 7 seconds (at racing pace anyway), but a standard xu-1 never beat a standard ho at bathurst in the 500 - but as you suggested a slightly modified one only beat it because of rain - it still won, but it needed outside circumstances to do it

Well in that there was never a standard falcon or holden EVER raced at Bathurst you are correct.

Everyone "cheated" every chance they got, just ask them......

gtxb67 · 23-12-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Well in that there was never a standard falcon or holden EVER raced at Bathurst you are correct.

Everyone "cheated" every chance they got, just ask them......

to some degree, but the last "true" series production race at bathurst was in 71

and if the ford teams were bending the rules at that stage, it only took them to harry firth's level - so they were still equal

Franco Cozzo · 23-12-2011, 07:41 PM

The old man always talks about his first car, XU-1 GTR or what ever they where called, cost him $2200 in 1978 second hand.

What where their 0-100 and 1/4 mile times back in the day factory stock?

Correction:

He had an LC GTR XU-1.

SEZ213 · 23-12-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

id love to own it.. lols to the hater brigade around here.. was a great time and great cars from all makes..
your big tough GTs wouldnt have been the cars they were without the XU 1s.....

Seconded...I'd be happy to have that sit in the garage next to my brothers SL/R...

That is an awesome little bit of kit...and perfect for a 5 foot...well, me...

I don't care that it had to be wet for it to beat the GT...it matters not, I'd be pleased with either car, but this would be the pick if I had the choice.

**GazzF6** · 23-12-2011, 10:59 PM

Nothing wrong with an XU1, they were great cars! The 208 strokers used to go like stink! Unfortunately.. They didn't go for too long.. But the XU1's were a mighty car for a 6 pot! Not quite the Hemi legends the six packs were, they could hose the 351's and the 327/350's he he, back me up Trev.

gcg2503 · 23-12-2011, 11:08 PM

Love them all - GT, XU-1, GTS, E49

Was a great era with some crazy funky colours

I am glad that Unqiue Cars are giving away a desirable car this time...not like that silly GMC truck they gave away last time

SpoolMan · 23-12-2011, 11:52 PM

Its a real Aussie classic, I would have it...very tough car in its day, there only week point were those dam banjo diffs..

MITCHAY · 24-12-2011, 12:29 AM

Ugly car and an ugly colour but all that aside it's still a piece of Australian automotive history and if you were a collector you'd want in your ranks.

mik · 24-12-2011, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWF6 310

Nothing wrong with an XU1, they were great cars! The 208 strokers used to go like stink! Unfortunately.. They didn't go for too long.. But the XU1's were a mighty car for a 6 pot! Not quite the Hemi legends the six packs were, they could hose the 351's and the 327/350's he he, back me up Trev.

yet to see a charger win a bathurst,

.