Australian Cars Issue 43

COLLECT ALL THE LEGENDARY AUSTRALIAN CLASSIC CARS

Immerse yourself in the thrilling history of Australian automotive engineering with the Holden HB Brabham Torana SL, a true icon of homegrown sporting ambition and celebrity glamour from 1968. The HB Torana was the first Holden Torana, introduced in May 1967, and its very name comes from an Aboriginal Australian word meaning "to fly" — a fitting description for a compact that punched well above its weight from the moment it arrived.

Late in 1967, Holden drew inspiration from image-enhancing associations with racing luminaries — like Ford with Lotus and Shelby, and BMC with John Cooper — by releasing the Brabham Torana option package, lending the little SL the name and cachet of Sir Jack Brabham, Australia's own Formula One World Champion. The Brabham Torana was an extremely special model in Australia due to its connection to Sir Jack Brabham, the well-respected racing driver. The package delivered real mechanical substance to match the name: twin carburettors with sports air cleaners, a low-restriction exhaust system pushing output to 79 bhp, wider wheel rims with distinctive red-wall tyres, and power-assisted front disc brakes as standard — a formidable specification for a 1.2-litre compact. The hot Brabham Torana also added shorter diff ratios, unique body stripes and black paint-outs, and gold Brabham badges, making it as eye-catching on the street as it was capable on the road. The standard HB was powered by a 56 bhp 1.2-litre inline four-cylinder engine paired with a full-synchro four-speed manual gearbox and sporty floor-shift — and in Brabham trim, it became something genuinely exciting.

This precise 1:43 scale replica captures the very essence of the legendary HB Brabham Torana SL — a small car with a big personality and an even bigger name behind it.

The Holden HB Brabham Torana SL is meticulously reproduced in high-quality die-cast metal, with details faithful to the original that capture its compact two-door body, distinctive Brabham stripes, black accents, and gold badging. Rubber tires and swiveling wheels add a touch of realism to this cherished model.

Each piece comes accompanied by a captivating magazine filled with articles from that era, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of Australian automotive, sourced from the archives of the renowned publication Wheels.

Features:

• Faithfully reproduced model at 1:43 scale
• High-quality die-cast metal for exceptional durability
• Precise detailing for maximum authenticity — including the signature Brabham body stripes, black paint-outs, and gold Brabham badging
• Rubber tires and swiveling wheels for heightened realism

Relive the golden era of Australian compact performance with this iconic model. Add the Holden HB Brabham Torana SL to your Australian Cars collection today!