‘British’ Torana GTR XU-1 auctioned for almost $95K
The LJ Torana GTR XU-1 previously featured with JUST CARS when it surfaced in the UK this past January has sold at auction through Classic Car Auctions.
When we first reported on this car, not much of its history or provenance was known, but since then, more information has come to light.
A genuine GTR XU-1, finished in Strike Me Pink and with the correct JP prefix for the 3.3-litre six-cylinder engine, the car is believed to be one of the first 200 XU-1s built in the LJ Series and was sold new in suburban Sydney in April, 1972.
In 1976, with 22,640 miles on the odometer, the Torana was exported to the UK and covered an additional 1,013 miles there before receiving its first MOT (UK roadworthy certificate).
The car then went into storage before being purchased by the consignor in 1979. He drove it until the end of 1982, adding a further 27,000 miles for a total of 50,757 on the odometer, after which it went into storage again and only came out this year when it was sent to Classic Car Auctions (CCA).
CCA believed the LJ Torana GTR XU-1 to be the only example in the UK and possibly the only one in Europe, too.
As consigned, the car wasn’t running and had some visible rust around the rear screen, in the sills and driver’s side front wheelarch, along with surface rust on the bumpers and other exterior brightwork. Paint and glass were described as average, but electrics and interior trim were good, leading to an overall 3 out of 5 rating.
Since the images shown here were taken, rechromed bumpers were fitted, the Strike Me Pink paint was given a cut and polish and some touchup black paint applied to the sills and wheels, too.
These improvements made the Torana look more presentable when it was auctioned by CCA on 19 March as part of the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show in Birmingham.
CCA’s guiding range of £45,000 - £55,000. (AU$66,190 – AU$80,900 approx.) ahead of the auction proved to be accurate, as the Torana ultimately went for £53,438 (AU$94,900 approx.).
For more details, go to: classiccarauctions.co.uk
