The Torana set to become the most expensive Holden ever

May 22 2017

1977 Holden Torana A9X race car
1979 Championship-winning Holden race car still in its original livery. The legendary A9X Torana raced by privateer Bob Morris is expected to get up to $1 million at the Mossgreen’s Auction on May 28, 2017. Photo: Supplied
Maserati Tipo 61 ‘recreation’
A “recreation” of the late ’50s classic, albeit one that sticks faithfully to the details of one of the 17 originals. Completed in 1990, the car has been in Australia since 2008 and has $650,000 hopes. Photo: Lliam
1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster
Borrowing many of the styling and details of the legendary 300SL ‘Gullwing’, the 190SL doesn’t command the same stratospheric prices but is very much in demand. This restored left-hand drive is hoped to get $220,000. Photo: Geoff Sumner
1913 Ford Model T
It’s one of the most popular cars in the history of cars and this 1913 example, built in Canada, was restored a decade ago and is expected to fetch up to $38,000. Photo: Geoff Sumner
1986 Ferrari Testarossa
The Testarossa’s wide body, throaty V12 and distinctive side air intakes have it coming back into vogue. This 1986 model has the distinctive ‘flying’ wing mirrors and a price estimate up to $240,000. Photo: Geoff Sumner
2013 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
One of the 60th Anniversary models produced to celebrate the original 1953 Corvette, this locally converted right-hand drive gets the Z06’s 7.0-litre V8 and racing stripes stitched into the roof. Up to $145,000. Photo: Geoff Sumner
1959 Mercedes-Benz 220S
One of the more affordable cars in the auction, with an estimate up to $18,000, the 220S was picked up in 1975 by the current owner. Photo: Geoff Sumner
1962 Porsche 356 B T6 notchback
This 356 “notchback” gets a unique roof that blends some coupe and cabriolet styling cues. Only a couple of thousand were produced, with this left-hand drive model from the US expected to command up to $120,000. Photo: Geoff Sumner
1959 Porsche 356 A
The forebear to the 911, the 356 debuted the classic Porsche shape and is still highly sought-after. This right-hand drive 356 A was delivered new to Melbourne and is tipped to fetch up to $185,000. Photo: Geoff Sumner
1936 Packard 120
The inline eight-cylinder-powered 120 represented a change of philosophy for American luxury brand Packard, at the time weathering the Great Depression. This one, hoped to fetch up to $54,000, was delivered new to South Australia in 1936. Photo: Geoff Sumner
1933 REO Flying Cloud
Famous for its Speed Wagon, REO – named after Ransom Eli Olds, of Oldsmobile – also produced cars, with the Flying Cloud one of its most famous. This restored Coupe has an estimate up to $40,000. Photo: Geoff Sumner
1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30HP
Once owned by English artist Frank Salisbury, the “royal blue” Rolls-Royce made its way to Australia in 1962, complete with its original owner’s manual. Expected to get up to $160,000. Photo: Geoff Sumner
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An Australian Touring Car Championship-winning Torana that's approaching its 40th birthday could go down as one of the most expensive Holden in history, with an estimated price tag of up to $1 million in an auction of some of the world's rarest and most sought-after cars.

The centrepiece of an upcoming auction by Mossgreen's, the number 7 Torana A9X – still in its racing livery complete with roll cage and stone chips – beat Peter Brock in the 1979 touring car championship, at the time a monumental feat against the might of the Holden Dealer Team.

An Aussie icon

James Nicholls, the man behind the auction which takes place in Sydney on May 28, describes the green, white and blue V8-powered hatch as "a very rare and unusual car and it's a particularly special car in that it's completely original".

"We feel this car is probably the most exciting Australian race car to come on to the Australian market…it's a very, very special car," says Nicholls.

Despite the hoped-for anticipated big buck price tag, the Torana is not expected to be the most expensive car at the multi-million dollar auction.

Money on wheels

That honour goes to an Aston Martin DB5 – the same type made famous in early James Bond movies – with a price estimate up to $1.6 million.

Describing Aston Martins as "international currency" Nicholls says there has been some interest overseas for the likes of the DB5, something not unusual in the world of collectible cars.

Fixer-upper

For those keen to get their hands dirty there's an almighty restoration program in the form of a 1953 Alvis-Healey Three Litre Sports Convertible.

One of only 25 built, the car spent much of its life in the US before being left to decay to the point where it is now rusted and falling apart.

"You're going to need broad shoulders to take that project on," says Nicholls, acknowledging it is a "complete wreck".

Ticking boxes

However, he says the rarity and provenance of the car could fetch it up to $40,000.

"The wonderful thing about that car is that it's all there, it's all original … all the bits and pieces are there, pretty much…"

While it may look ready for the scrapheap, Nicholls says its originality – something increasingly important with car collectors – is near-perfect.

"The driving points [for collectible cars] are rarity, desirability, originality, condition, history and provenance," he says. "The more of those six boxes you can tick the more your car is potentially worth."