Torana SL/R5000 tribute - today's tempter

By: Unique Cars magazine

Date: 15.01.2021

Torana SL/R5000 tribute

Torana SL/R5000 tribute

Stroker Chev 350

As Cliff Chambers points out in our Torana SL/R5000 buyer guide: 

"Holden’s V8-engined Torana came to be at a time when parts of the world were turning their back on fuel-guzzling cars. Parts of the world excluding Australia anyway.

"Holden had been working on a V8 version of its mid-sized model since the days of the LC, however the bigger LH provided a more socially-acceptable platform for installation of local 4.2 and 5.0-litre engines...

"What the SL/R5000 had on its side was swagger. The Monaro was by 1974 aligned with an older, dare we say, more conservative section of the market."

The LX arrived in two years, with minor cosmetic updates, a drop in horsepower thanks in part to tightening emission rules, and a significant rise in prices.

We've done a fair bit on hero Toranas of this approximate era, including a feature on an earlier LH L34 SL/R5000.

See the video here.

This 1977 LX is in fact a tribute car which the seller says was a no-expense-spared build. There was a time when tributes were not treated seriously in the market. However, as prices of real versions skyrocketed, and build costs went up, buyers started to take them more seriously.

Running a 383ci V8, this car has an auto with 9-inch diff. Located in WA, it's priced at $96,000.

Looking for more Torana stories? See this search.

Unique Cars auction results listing

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

Sell your car for free right here