Brock's Beast brought back

The latest addition to the growing memorabilia surrounding the legendary racer is a working replica of his 1971 Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 known as "The Beast".

It has been lovingly brought to life as a tribute car by motoring enthusiasts Dale Booth and John Oost and commissioned by Peter Champion for his Champions Brock Experience museum near Yeppoon.

Booth is confident the car is a 90 per cent faithful replica right down to the same wiper blades, steering wheel, seat, headrest and a V8 engine mounted in the middle of the car right next to the driver.

"It gets pretty hot and noisy in there," Booth said. "I drive it with a rag tied around my leg to protect it from the heat.

"The original Formula 5000 engine had so much torque it twisted the chassis making the doors difficult to open and close.

"It's the worst driving position ever; I don't know how Brock managed to drive around Bathurst with that thing next to him."

Fans of the late Brock can get a close look at the Beast at 12.30pm on Saturday at Queensland Raceway when it is presented for a close inspection by Harry Firth who gave Brock his break in racing.

Booth said he believed the original XU-1 no longer existed, so he sourced most of the artwork and technical details from photos, Ebay and talking with people involved in Brock's racing career.

"I even did all the signage with a brush not stickers like they do today," he said.

"We're still looking for a Speco wooden gearshift knob and a few other bits.

"I suppose Harry will tell us how close we are."

Booth would not reveal how much the car cost to build, but said replica wheels specially made from the original moulds cost $2600.

He said he had always been a Brock fan with a house and garage devoted to Brock memorabilia.

Booth's next replica project is the restoration of a 1979 A9X Torana like the one in which Brock won Bathurst and set a circuit record on the final lap, despite leading by six laps.

Visit: championsbrockexperience.com.au