The 1977 Holden Torana A9X Hatchback associated with Bob Morris's 1979 Australian Touring Car Championship triumph has found a new owner. One of two A9Xs used in his title-winning season, the Group C car sold directly to the highest bidder after the Peter Briggs collection auction closed. The exact price has not been disclosed. An October 19 results report placed the deal within a A$560,000-A$660,000 range.
The Torana is an original period racing car rather than a replica of one. Holden prepared a small group of lightweight GMP&A shells for competition, and auctioneer Donington Auctions identifies this as one of ten. Its green, white and blue paintwork, racing markings and signs of use have survived. The auction house describes it as exceptionally original, an assessment that should be distinguished from an independent certification, although the car's competition record is extensively documented.
It made its Bathurst 1000 debut in 1977 with American drivers Johnny Rutherford and Janet Guthrie. Morris subsequently raced the car in 1978, winning at Calder and finishing runner-up in the championship; Derek Bell and Dieter Quester drove it at Bathurst that year. For 1979, Morris alternated between two A9Xs entered by Ron Hodgson Racing. At Oran Park this chassis started on pole, recorded the fastest lap and led all 41 laps. It was a significant part of the season that delivered Morris his championship.
Briggs acquired the car after its principal competition career. He raced it three times at Wanneroo in 1980 before placing it on display at the York Motor Museum in Western Australia, where it remained for 37 years. It changed hands in 2017, received sympathetic mechanical attention and appeared in demonstration laps at Phillip Island in 2019, with Morris back behind the wheel.
More than 900 lots were offered from Briggs's collection, covering cars, motorcycles, artwork, literature and motoring memorabilia. A circa-1902 Clément sold for A$156,000 and a 1946 Volkswagen Beetle brought A$90,000. The A9X, however, offers something that restoration cannot recreate: an original competition car retaining the finish and wear of its racing life.