Holden Torana 1976 News

To be auctioned by Shannons at Sydney's Meguiars MotorEx on July 25, the Bathurst homologation special is expected to fetch close to $300,000.  The Palais White A9X, serial number J590981, was the very first of just 100 two-door hatch and 305 four-door Torana A9X sedans built for sale to the public between August and December 1977.It was initially one of two Holden press and promotional vehicles before being acquired by leading Sydney Holden dealer and racing driver Ron Hodgson.  And it has covered just 16,000km since new in the hands of a series of careful collector/owners.Created as an improvement of the previous L34 racing Toranas, the A9X was actually a Performance Equipment Package available on a range of LX models fitted with the 5.0 litre, 308-cid engine.  It was introduced in August 1977 to ensure its eligibility for that year's Bathurst 1000 race and was priced at a now-bargain $10,600 for the four-door Sedan and $10,800 for the Hatch.Yet surprisingly the A9X was a slow seller, leading GM-H to broaden the model's colour palette to clear stocks.  While race versions were equipped with the L34 engine, T10 gearbox, roll cage, wide wheels and long-range fuel tanks, new Australian Design Rules and Emission laws dictated that all A9X Toranas rolled off the assembly line in the same, more basic specification — fitted with Holden's stock L31 5.0-litre V8.The A9X was the first Holden to be fitted standard with rear discs and its Salisbury differential also meant the extra tall 2.60:1 final drive ratio could be used to advantage on Bathurst's long Conrod straight.  The cars were clearly identified by their new rear facing, bonnet-mounted carburettor induction scoop, one of the 100 or so differences that set the A9X apart from standard LX Toranas.The rest is history.  Although failing to spoil Fords’ Moffat Dealer Team 1-2 party at Bathurst that year, the A9X went on to become the most successful , ever built by Holden.

After being a smiling model on quiz shows The Price Is Right and Temptation, McGregor has landed a gig hosting the Foxtel reality show, Blood, Sweat & Gears."It was always the next step," McGregor says. "I meet people saying they love Temptation, but it's so hard to get your personality across when you're just smiling in the background."A graphic designer by trade, 26-year-old McGregor spent the past two-and-a-half years in Nine's Temptation family with Ed Phillips and Livinia Nixon.McGregor admits he's not "the craziest car fan," but didn't hesitate when it came to auditioning for BS&G."To be honest, I got a phone call from one of the guys at Foxtel asking me if I would like to audition for it," he says. "I never knock back an audition, even if I don't think I'm suited to it."He may not be a revhead, but the Aussies on the show certainly are."They're absolute nuts. It's like a religion to them. Since I have had the gig, I have had so many people come up to me and tell me a story about their cars," McGregor says.The show pits seven guys and their beloved cars against each other.The contestants are;Andrew: Japanese Import (Nissan 200SX)Andy: American Muscle(Chevy Corvette)Dave: Classic Australian(Holden LJ Torana)Dimitri: Classic Australian(Ford GT Falcon)Dominic: Performance Rotary (Mazda RX7)Jeremy: Australian Muscle (Holden Commodore VL HDT)Mohamed: High Performance European (Ferrari 350 Modena)Official judges are Ian Luff, a former race driver, and Nathan Luck, a motoring journalist. Each week, the revheads and the cars will be put through a series of tests. While the drivers will know who wins each stage, they never find out their placing on the leaderboard. McGregor says it adds to the tension."They don't know who is doing well and the challengers get a little angry and eaten up inside," he says."These guys think their car is the best. But they find out a few things about themselves as drivers - maybe they're not as good as they thought. I think it will get people into the show."While McGregor is enjoying his debut as TV host, he is unused to seeing himself as a presenter."You're always your own biggest critic and it is still kind of strange when I see myself. But I love hearing feedback, even when it's bad. It makes you better at what you do."