Holden Torana built in 1977 expected to fetch a fortune at auction

Ultra-rare classic Australian muscle car built in 1977 with just 475km on the clock is expected to fetch more than $1million at auction

  • A rare Holden Torana is expected to be sold this weekend for over $1million
  • The A9X GMP&A two-door hatch was one of just 33 that were ever built in 1977
  • The car was never raced or registered and has just 450km on the clock 

An iconic Australian muscle car built over four decades ago is up for auction this weekend and is expected to fetch a record-high price of more than $1million.

The ‘ultra-rare’ Holden Torana A9X GMP&A was one of only 33 ever built in 1977 and has just 475km on the clock.

It was never raced or registered and is considered to be ‘the holy grail of Holden motor car collectors in Australia’.

The ‘ultra-rare’ Holden Torana A9X GMP&A was one of only 33 ever built in 1977 and has just 475km on the clock

It is up for auction this weekend and is expected to fetch a record-high price of over $1million

It is up for auction this weekend and is expected to fetch a record-high price of over $1million

‘Since Holden closed their doors, many muscle car enthusiasts are mourning the loss of performance cars, and there has been a resurgence in these classic cars,’ Lee Hames from Lloyds Auctions said.

‘With the Holden prices we’ve seen achieved at auction in the last six months, we certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see this car break records once again.’

The A9X was the very last racing Torana before Holden switched to the more modern V8 Commodores.

The model was somewhat controversial at the time because it was a two-door hatchback, not a regular four-door version.

It meant the vehicle was lighter for racing and in 1978 and 1979 Peter Brock and Jim Richards won the Bathurst 1000 with the new speed machines.

The Torana up for sale on the weekend was originally owned by Australian motor racing legend Ron Hodgson, who purchased three of the 33 shells in 1977.

It was never raced or registered and is considered to be 'the holy grail of Holden motor car collectors in Australia'

It was never raced or registered and is considered to be ‘the holy grail of Holden motor car collectors in Australia’

The model was somewhat controversial at the time because it was a two-door hatchback, not a regular four-door version

The model was somewhat controversial at the time because it was a two-door hatchback, not a regular four-door version

Two were immediately transformed into race cars and the other was kept as a spare in case of an accident.

But two years later Hodgson’s chief mechanic Peter Molloy was instructed to build up the untouched shell into a complete car.

Based on recent sales of sought after Holden vehicles, Mr Hames expects revheads from Australia and across the globe to be lining up to snap up the A9X.

‘While the very last Holden off the production line sold for $750,000, a Harvey A9X Torana sold for $910,000 and a special one of four Holden Maloo Ute sold for $1,100,000 in January,’ he said.

The Torana up for sale on the weekend was originally owned by Australian motor racing legend Ron Hodgson, who purchased three of the 33 shells in 1977

The Torana up for sale on the weekend was originally owned by Australian motor racing legend Ron Hodgson, who purchased three of the 33 shells in 1977

Two were immediately transformed into race cars and the other was kept as a spare in case of an accident

Two were immediately transformed into race cars and the other was kept as a spare in case of an accident

But while there is sure to be an array of offshore interest, Mr Hames suspects the beloved car will remain Down Under.

‘For those interested in a fantastic investment or just a deep sentimental and patriotic connection to Holden, this is the car they have been waiting for’ he said.

The auctions will go ahead on Saturday at 12pm in Lloyds’ showroom at Villawood in Sydney,

Bidders are also welcome to join the auction online or over the phone.

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