Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000: The Accidental Race Car

Image thanks to AutoPics.com.au

Although Holden never intended to take the LH Torana SL/R 5000 racing, it certainly made a splash when it did.

Launched in March of 1974 as the pinnacle of Holden’s LH Torana line up, the SL/R 5000 was Holden’s first V8-powered Torana, sporting a race-ready look, spoilers front and rear, factory stripe package and sports wheels amongst other features.

But it was never intended for racing, in standard configuration at least. That role was reserved for its factory-developed L34 competition package, which was set to arrive a few months after the standard SL/R 5000’s launch, in time for the Bathurst 1000.

When Allan Grice secured a sponsorship deal with WD & HO Wills to take its Craven Mild brand to the track with a new Torana V8, however, all that changed and off it went.

Read on for the full story at the Shannons Club here.