> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://torquecafe.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Rare ‘Bathurst edition’ Holden Torana GTR-XU1 heads to auction
- URL: https://torquecafe.com/car-news-rare-holden-torana-gtr-xu1-bathurst-auction/
- Published: 2026-10-15T06:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-15T06:01:56.000Z
- Description: One of just 200 examples of the 1972 Holden Torana GTR-XU1 ‘Bathurst’ specials is up for grabs, having completed just over 60,000km since new.
- Author: Jordan Mulach
- Tags: News, Classics & Unique

The past week has been about celebrating Peter Brock on what was the 20th anniversary of the first Bathurst since the nine-time winner’s passing, and now a car with links to his first victory is up for sale.

Listed by the [Macquarie Auction Group](https://macquarieauction.bidsonline.com.au/catalogue%5Fdetail.aspx?cdid=3080460&chid=28693&category=ALL&style=group&fbclid=IwY2xjawU9OXZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMUdlQjM5YlN6NEhBUU9VRlFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeGAy0caRksGZXzHRPxkv7pvhiapVgoAHY2dWgVDUBf2oosb5OEuXzp6xCs50%5Faem%5FT4MWydL7%5FLhtXe5Cp4qA%5Fw&ref=torquecafe.com) is a 1972 LJ Holden Torana GTR-XU1 ‘Bathurst’, one of just 200 special-edition homologation cars made to help General Motors take on Ford at the 500-mile endurance race.

Built in September 1972 in the lead-up to that year’s Bathurst 500 – the final year of single-driver entries before it became a 1000km affair from 1973 – the ‘Bathurst’ GTR-XU1s were sharpened up even further.

![1972 LJ Holden Torana GTR-XU1 ‘Bathurst’](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/10/1972-holden-torana-lj-gtr-xu1-bathurst-4-1.jpg)

Image credit: Macquarie Auction Group

According to the *Shannon’s Club*, modifications included uprated springs, a lightened flywheel, more aggressive camshaft in the 3.3-litre (186ci) Holden straight-six engine, plus a Detroit Locker in the shorter-drive 3.55:1 ratio differential.

Riding on Globe’s iconic Sprintmaster 13-inch wheels, this particular Torana is finished in Zodiac Blue, and has reportedly been owned by just two people since it was first purchased in 1972, with just under 38,000 miles (or 61,000km) on its odometer.

Just the month after this particular car was built, the Torana recorded its first Bathurst victory in the hands of Peter Brock, who engaged in a battle with Allan Moffat’s Ford Falcon XY GT-HO Phase III in the early stages of the race, before the Canadian spun at Sulman Park.

![1972 LJ Holden Torana GTR-XU1 ‘Bathurst’](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/10/1972-holden-torana-lj-gtr-xu1-bathurst-6-1.jpg)

Image credit: Macquarie Auction Group

Being the first rain-impacted Bathurst 500, the Torana’s light weight and nimble handling gave it an edge over the heavier Falcons and Chrysler Valiant Chargers, leading Brock to win his first of nine October Bathurst endurance races.

It also cemented the LJ Torana GTR-XU1’s status as an automotive icon, with immaculate examples selling at auction for as much as $348,000, a record which was set in 2021 with a 1973 car.

Included in the sale of this Zodiac Blue Torana are its logbooks, dealer sales invoice and a “huge folder of paperwork” confirming it is a matching-numbers car.

This 1972 example is located in Bathurst, with its auction beginning at 7pm AEDT on October 15.

Despite its relatively low mileage, it's worn in compared to a HSV VL SS Group A Walkinshaw which [went up for sale](https://torquecafe.com/car-news-hsv-vl-walkinshaw-time-capsule-for-sale/) through Adelaide-based unique car specialist [Richmonds](https://richmonds.com.au/portfolio/1988-holden-special-vehicles-commodore-vl-ss-group-a-walkinshaw-sedan-manual/?ref=torquecafe.com) in August, claimed to have done just 20km since new.

[The Holden Torana is coming backPeter Brock made the Holden Torana A9X famous - now the LX Torana is making a comeback A former race![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/icon/cropped-favicon-270x270-2994b718-6479-4d84-8259-e5381fbaa63e.png)Torquecafe.comDylan Campbell![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/thumbnail/crop_Brock-A9-X-Torana-c2b56f0f-c500-43e6-90ef-55d437a78415.jpg)](https://archive.torquecafe.com/the-holden-torana-lives/?ref=torquecafe.com)