This model of the 1972 Torana GTR XU-1 by AUTOart (for the Australian company Biante) is the first Holden made in 1:18th scale. The Torana was a small family car similar to the Vauxhall Viva in the UK and the Opel Kadett in Germany (not surprising as Holden, Opel and Vauxhall are and were General Motors brands) and the regular versions were by no means performance cars, usually having a small four cylinder engine under the bonnet. However, in order to produce a car capable of competing with the big V8 engined Ford Falcon's in the Australian Touring Car series, Holden decided to put a 3.3 litre straight six into the small Torana. Even though it did not have the same power as the bigger engined Ford's, it's superior power to weight ratio would ensure it would be competitive. Hence this version, the Torana GTR XU-1 was produced as a homologation special.
It proved to be a competitive package and in 1972 won the Bathurst Mount Panorama touring car race for the Holden Dealer Team, driven by Peter Brock. Race versions of this car have also been made by AUTOart and tend to be more expensive than the roadgoing version here.
AUTOart have done a good job in replicating this car. The green paint and the engine are particularly nice. The large straight six under the bonnet is realistic looking, and the boot has a spare tire as well as an extra large fuel tank in it. Criticisms include the drivers door mirror, which looks a bit crude and fell off! (It was easily glued back on however!). The interior is a bit bland, but that would be a criticism of the real car not the model. Notably I believe this version of the Torana was the first Holden to be made in 1:18th, although many have followed since!
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