Australian Muscle Car is a fresh, proudly Australian publication dedicated to preserving the legend of the unique ‘Australian made’ Ford vs Holden muscle car heritage. From 1960s classic Bathurst muscle to the super sophisticated Falcon and Commodore performance cars of the new millennium and everything in between.
Steve Normoyle
Australian Muscle Car
HR PR disaster
Bondy’s 1-2
The Max Wright Motors LJ Torana V8
Trans-Tasman TCM
AMC BEST LETTER
Holden’s X2 factor • It’s not the most loved of Holdens but it’s a car that deserves respect. Its role in Holden’s high-performance history has been largely forgotten, but this is where it all began, 60 years ago. The HD Holden X2 was the first hot Holden, the first Holden with a modified engine, and the first performance-badged Holden – it was the first of many.
Garth’s GT • Garth Wigston is best known for racing Group C Toranas and Commodores in the 1970s and ’80s, but deep down he’s actually a Ford man - and this is the XW Falcon GT he’s owned since 1969.
Retro Vision
Holland family heirloom • This a genuine Group C LJ Torana XU-1that’s only ever been raced by Don Holland and his son, David. Today David runs it in Historic touring car races – more than half a century after Don’s last race in it.
The Gentleman • He was one of the first superstar team managers in Australia. He won Bathurst in 1971 and 1973 for Ford with Allan Moffat, then steered Nissan to a glorious sporting era. He also impacted the global stage and guided Ford’s local performance car program. Howard Marsden charmed everyone he met yet could equally frustrate his colleagues. This is the first of two parts exploring a unique character taken too soon.
1983 James Hardie 1000 Eighties overdrive
The Tigress of Turin • Half a century ago Lella Lombardi made headlines by becoming the first female driver to score points in the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. But the year before that she’d ventured down under to race, and went toe-to-toe with local Formula 5000 stars like Max Stewart and Kevin Bartlett. This extract from a new biography on Lombardi tells the story of her Aussie race appearances, and how the ‘Tigress of Turin’ won the hearts of Aussie race fans.
Slot car addiction
2025 Repco Bathurst 1000 Young talent time • With most of the fancied stars out of the running, it was left to the new crop of young drivers to slug it out for Bathurst glory – and in the worst of conditions. It was a breathtakingly thrilling contest, the kind of race only Mount Panorama can deliver.
Muscle Stuff • Essential products for the Australian MUSCLE CAR enthusiast.
Mini Muscle
What’s old is new again
Carpark Muscle
AMC Club Directory • GET YOUR FREE CLUB LISTING in the Club Directory and What’s On... www.musclecarmag.com.au/resources
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