Rate It: Holden Torana A9X, an Australian Touring Car Icon

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Aug 5, 2020 | holden, Rate It, A9X, Torana

How about something that checks all the boxes. 

Rad mags? Check.

V8-power? Check. 

Tacked-on flares? Check. 

Blacked-out hood? Check.

Totally ’70s styling and vibe? Check.

Something you’ll likely never see in the States? Totally check.

And we haven’t even discussed the motorsports pedigree. 

Meet the 1977 Holden Torana A9X, the V8-powered special intended for the day’s Australian Touring Car series. The A9X package added all of the hot bits to Holden’s mid-sized Torana sedan. 

The car also received four-wheel-disc brakes–huge news at the time–plus brake ducts, decontented interior, four-speed box and revised suspension. In addition to the hatchback version shown here, Holden also offered the A9X as a four-door sedan. 

The Torana A9X allowed Holden to win the 1978 and 1979 Australian Touring Car Championships. 

We give it an A9X/10.

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
8/5/20 11:16 a.m.

You can even drive it digitally if you want, thanks to Forza Horizon and Forza Motorsports:

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/5/20 11:33 a.m.

Doesn't matter what we vote. Peter Brock + Mt Panorama + A9X = legend.

 

Dag
Dag None
8/5/20 11:57 a.m.

You can watch them race present-day in Australia's Touring Car Masters series... Awesome sprint style racing.

 

https://youtu.be/ddfDgq7nKE8

Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter)
Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
8/5/20 3:10 p.m.

Looks like what the Monza should have been.

TurnerX19
TurnerX19 SuperDork
8/5/20 3:32 p.m.

The most attractive GM car ever.

jerrysarcastic (Forum Supporter)
jerrysarcastic (Forum Supporter) New Reader
8/5/20 3:43 p.m.

Yes, any Aussie car that has a racing background is legit, no questions asked.

Speaking of Toranas, I'm also keen to see how this 1JZ swap goes...

https://youtu.be/xnlFZ5eR3nY

Datsun310Guy
Datsun310Guy MegaDork
8/5/20 3:46 p.m.
Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter) said:

Looks like what the Monza should have been.

the side windows, rear fenders, and doors have a Vega, Monza, Starfire feel to it.  

NC Kiwi
NC Kiwi None
8/5/20 4:43 p.m.

Two door coupe. Not hatchback.

Rarer than hen's teeth! Extremely difficult to find in unmolested form.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/5/20 4:52 p.m.

Any homologation special should be hard to find in unmolested form, or it failed :)

horacer
horacer
8/5/20 7:35 p.m.

In reply to NC Kiwi :

The 2 door A9X was a true Hatchback. There was even a "hatch hutch" which turned the rear hatch into a tent. Quite unique!!

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