62 replies to this topic

[yel327]

I get that, but most I’ll informed people think any Holden van is a Sandman too.

None of them have codes on them as they were not built in the Acacia Ridge body plant. The GMP&A cars never appear in mainframe report printouts using A9X as a pivot search as they were never registered or warranted. From memory you’d never know if the shell was for certain a race shell or a replacement road shell for an SS other than by MC7 on the body plate (of most I’ve seen). And a lot of “A9X” sedans raced were actually upgraded L34’s, however that was the norm - lots of XB were XA, VC/VH were VB, VL were VK etc. That was normal.
Some of the A9X raced too were SS bodies “A9X’d” by GMH before being raced, Bob Jane’s car that was totalled at Amaroo was one of those, it was rebuilt by Gary Rogers using an ex HDT shell and finished 5th at Bathurst 1979.
Those GMP&A race cars were only ever intended to be seen and raced as A9X though, but in reality they are not really an A9X, not counted in build totals etc. They were a convenient and effective means to an end. As were the road going cars, but for a different purpose.

Edited by yel327, 24 April 2020 - 02:07 PM.

[eyepeeler]

Those GMP&A race cars were only ever intended to be seen and raced as A9X though, but in reality they are not really an A9X, not counted in build totals etc. 

 

The other stuff you wrote I already know, but this part is where I was heading.

You could say the same about the XA's then, intended to be seen and raced as a Phase IV, but in reality they are not really a Phase IV according to the build plate.

Which is why most will only ever see them as a Phase IV.

 

I wouldn't say people are ill informed, just not as rigid in saying a car like these XA's are only what is stamped on that plate. 

Edited by eyepeeler, 24 April 2020 - 02:43 PM.

[yel327]

Depends on how you view car I suppose. I see it as how it was built by the manufacturer, which is what is on the ID plates. If it was modified later either by the manufacturer or by someone else it is just a modified version of its original build. A good example is the HJ GTS coupe that GMH re-purposed into a “prototype” HX LE. It will always be a HJ GTS coupe. Or a Sunbird turned into a replica A9X, will always remain a Sunbird. Or the “GTS327” photos all over the HK GTS sales brochures. It was blue initially from memory, used in outdoor photos at Lang Lang and then repainted yellow and appeared in the famous picture with the girl in the white jumpsuit. Later used for another purpose I can’t remember exactly. It was originally a 6cyl GTS, yet at one stage it was afaik presented as a GTS327 just without the dual exhaust (look at photos both blue and yellow). People in their minds see both those brochure “327’s” as GTS327’s but reality is it never was. Note this is 80737 1-A IIRC. I think 2-A was also an 80737 but optioned L34, M21, G88 (327, 4spd and 3.36 LSD sals) and was the Director’s Showing car.

[eyepeeler]

Depends on how you view car I suppose. I see it as how it was built by the manufacturer, which is what is on the ID plates. If it was modified later either by the manufacturer or by someone else it is just a modified version of its original build. A good example is the HJ GTS coupe that GMH re-purposed into a “prototype” HX LE. It will always be a HJ GTS coupe. Or a Sunbird turned into a replica A9X, will always remain a Sunbird. Or the “GTS327” photos all over the HK GTS sales brochures. It was blue initially from memory, used in outdoor photos at Lang Lang and then repainted yellow and appeared in the famous picture with the girl in the white jumpsuit. Later used for another purpose I can’t remember exactly. It was originally a 6cyl GTS, yet at one stage it was afaik presented as a GTS327 just without the dual exhaust (look at photos both blue and yellow). People in their minds see both those brochure “327’s” as GTS327’s but reality is it never was. Note this is 80737 1-A IIRC. I think 2-A was also an 80737 but optioned L34, M21, G88 (327, 4spd and 3.36 LSD sals) and was the Director’s Showing car.

 

All valid and honestly, correct points.

 

I guess from all this, I taking away from it that I now know the 3 red XA's started life as GT's.

Those cars were built by Ford to race as Phase IV's and thats how I see them as now. Just like I see the GMP&A race cars as an A9X.Which resonates with you first sentence.

It's all how you view a car, and I respect the view you hold that they are only a GT when I dont.

[eyepeeler]

Anyone got news on L34's...............

Thats enough of the GT's hahahaha

[yel327]

All valid and honestly, correct points.

I guess from all this, I taking away from it that I now know the 3 red XA's started life as GT's.
Those cars were built by Ford to race as Phase IV's and thats how I see them as now. Just like I see the GMP&A race cars as an A9X.Which resonates with you first sentence.
It's all how you view a car, and I respect the view you hold that they are only a GT when I dont.

Cool, let’s say they were prototype XA GT-HO. I’m sure there are prototypes of L34 and A9X out there that aren’t either too. Just a shame no PhaseIV or V were built in volume, which would also mean V8 XU1 would have been built. Would probably mean no L34 though, would have been called XU2 probably and the engine code assigned as L34, just like GTS327.

BTW, how many L34 are known to still exist? I can account for two being destroyed, both yellow I believe.

[eyepeeler]

Cool, let’s say they were prototype XA GT-HO. I’m sure there are prototypes of L34 and A9X out there that aren’t either too. Just a shame no PhaseIV or V were built in volume, which would also mean V8 XU1 would have been built. Would probably mean no L34 though, would have been called XU2 probably and the engine code assigned as L34, just like GTS327.
BTW, how many L34 are known to still exist? I can account for two being destroyed, both yellow I believe.

I have 64 L34 owners in the mailing list for the Nationals.
Some owners have 2 or more L34's.

I know over 100 cars survive in a broad range from unrestored, restored to bastardised.
Do you know the details of the 2 destroyed cars? Even a rego will help me.

[yel327]

No, one was rusted out and wrecked in the late 80’s, I know where the 8 and 10” Hotwires are that were on it. Rest went into Toranas in the Hunter Valley. It was yellow. The other was all through an SLR I used to own. I think it was a stolen and recovered car gotten back with identifiers removed. New owners swapped virtually the whole recovered L34 over to an SLR5000 body. I wrecked it out and the body was cut up for rust repair sections as it was near to rust free, but it was flared (roughly) and needed a lot of work. The original L34 was either red or yellow as it had a mismatch of panels on it in both colours. I think it was yellow though but not certain. It had proper L34 heads, headers, calipers etc on it.

Edited by yel327, 24 April 2020 - 06:45 PM.

[eyepeeler]

L34 News for May has been emailed out.

 

 2005.png   1006.99K   9 downloads

[Shiney005]

A few late models in that shot Craig.  It all went downhill after the mighty L34 mate! 

Edited by Shiney005, 15 May 2020 - 04:55 PM.

[eyepeeler]

A few late models in that shot Craig.  It all went downhill after the mighty L34 mate! 

Shhh, you'll wake Dave Mc up from his nana nap and spring him into action.
Can't blame the late models for wanting to join the show, the L34 show. Best show in town.

[hanra]

Is this L34 news only for L34 owners?

[eyepeeler]

Is this L34 news only for L34 owners?

Hey Brad, no it’s not. If you wanted to come along I would be stoked.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hanra]

Oh nah sorry. I was referring to the picture you posted. Is it a newsletter or something that is sent out?

[eyepeeler]

No, one was rusted out and wrecked in the late 80’s, I know where the 8 and 10” Hotwires are that were on it. Rest went into Toranas in the Hunter Valley. It was yellow. The other was all through an SLR I used to own. I think it was a stolen and recovered car gotten back with identifiers removed. New owners swapped virtually the whole recovered L34 over to an SLR5000 body. I wrecked it out and the body was cut up for rust repair sections as it was near to rust free, but it was flared (roughly) and needed a lot of work. The original L34 was either red or yellow as it had a mismatch of panels on it in both colours. I think it was yellow though but not certain. It had proper L34 heads, headers, calipers etc on it.

 

Yel, tried to send you a PM, but it wont send. Says you're not receiving new messages.

Can you let me know a contact, would like to ask a question.

[eyepeeler]

June L34 News has been emailed out now.

 

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[toranamech]

Anyone know why the pretend PhaseIV and the L34 are together on the one page? Strange, they would never have raced against each other.

Hi , I can add why they were together on the same photo, it was just two guys who were right into Aussie Muscle cars and a mutual friend asked if they wanted to meet up. The XA GT was owned by Robb Mann who also had an RPO83 XA hardtop. Nothing to do with Racing, that would be more XB GT era

 

I considered it a Phase 4, as it was built with all the same options and made for racing, like Brockies Group A Bathurst winner, just a dirty old VK 134 shell. You are correct all 3 were standard XA GTs, as delivered to the Ford Special Vehicles factory in Mahoneys Road, where they were built up to Phase IV specs by the race-team mechanics. So you are correct that there is only one genuine production line plated XA GTHO in Calypso Green.

It was great to have a detailed look at the car and find so many similarities in the format for racing, Identical 780 holley carby for example, Roller rockers, Baffled sump, H&M headers etc. We had only planned to meet in the park, but in the end decided to go for a cruise. We had been sensible for a while, but wide dual land road, rolling at 60kmh in first we both hit it at the same time, both car were dead even, right down to gearchange points, we both backed off when popping into 4th at 200kmh, as it was a 70 zone, big smiles all round.

2 great Aussie 4 door muscle cars, just doing what they were built for   

[eyepeeler]

Anyone know who might own these? I'm trying to find out and let them know about the L34 Nationals.

 17005_1977-holden-lx-slr-5000-torana-flickr-photo-sharing.jpg   565.1K   16 downloads

 

 Chrome Yellow CH 9135.JPG   42.58K   17 downloads

 

 IMG_2058 - Copy.JPG   37.05K   16 downloads

 

 A Salamanca 01.jpg   27.33K   21 downloads

[eyepeeler]

L34 News for July emailed out now.

 

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[unclefestal34s]

Anyone know who might own these? I'm trying to find out and let them know about the L34 Nationals.

17005_1977-holden-lx-slr-5000-torana-flickr-photo-sharing.jpg

 

Chrome Yellow CH 9135.JPG

 

IMG_2058 - Copy.JPG

 

A Salamanca 01.jpg

That salamanca red L34 track pack is one of best that i ever restored...

[GTR469]

That salamanca red L34 track pack is one of best that i ever restored...

Was this a Bowral car from new?

[unclefestal34s]

Was this a Bowral car from new?

No

[Redslur]

That salamanca red L34 track pack is one of best that i ever restored...

And my favourite L34 getting around :-) Such a nice car Festa...

[eyepeeler]

And my favourite L34 getting around :-) Such a nice car Festa...

Could you PM me a contact for the owner?? That's if he or she wants to know what I am up too?

[Spudit]

Hi. Was that Salamanca red car from Melbourne area? I missed one that colour that was in bits around 12 years ago. Always wondered where it got too. Looks like a great Resto. Do you have any other photos of it. Thanks