L34s gather for 50-year celebration

It’s fitting that the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the Holden Torana SL/R 5000 L34 is taking place at Phillip Island.

In a great part of the L34’s racing history, the V8 powered Torana had a mortgage on the Phillip Island 500k Manchamp-enduro races with three 1974 to 1976 wins back-to-back going to Bond/Brock/Bond respectively.

In a wonderful half-centenary 1974-2024 Phillip Island book-end, Rod Hatfield’s ex-Rod and Russ McRae Dustings of Burwood L34 – third place-getter in the 1974 500K – has been on-circuit throughout the Phillip Island Classic along with 40 other race/road L34s organised by the L34 Fiftieth Anniversary Committee.

L34s have been shaking their tail feathers at this year’s Phillip Island Classic in celebration of the car’s 50th anniversary. Image: BARRY EVANS

Tim Hatfield, in conjunction with Western Australia’s Craig Poole, has helped to deliver a fabulous turnout of Torana SLR5000/L34’s as part of the 50th Anniversary celebration of the L34.

“We have approximately 41 L34’s at the island event, including seven race cars, most with significant history,” Hatfield said.

“It’s probably the biggest gathering of L34s since they were built.”

Of the seven L34 race cars at the event, one of the most significant is the 1976 Bathurst 1000 winner, driven by Bob Morris and John Fitzpatrick; the first L34.

The National Motor Racing Museum aren’t just loaning it to the event, they’ve given the okay for it to be driven around the track!

Another very special L34 is the EX HDT L34 rally car, which was driven by Colin Bond and co-driven by George Shepheard.

“The rally car’s just undergone a quick restoration to more of its correct livery,” Poole said.

The Dustings of Burwood L34 was the third place-getter in the 1974 500K. Image: SDPICS.COM

“Rod Hatfield is driving the Dustings car. The Charlie O’Brien car has turned up, which has been good. It’s the same car [he won at Amaroo in].

“We’ve got the Gough L34, but the ultimate is having number one; the Bob Morris car.”

Poole said the success of the celebration has been a great reward for organisers who have been planning the meet for five years.

“What started out as a small group of L34 enthusiasts turned out to be rather large,” he said.

“We’ve had an amazing time here with the VHRR and their event. They’ve put on an amazing show for us.

This iconic Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 won the 1976 Bathurst 1000 with Bob Morris and John Fitzpatrick behind the wheel. Image: TIM HATFIELD

“We’ve had guys from Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, five from Western Australia, and one from Tasmania; they’ve traveled far and wide to be here. One came all the way from Broome. He drove to Perth, joined us, then drove over.

“He’s been doing running maintenance on the car on the way over, which has been awesome to watch. We had our cars on trailers and took a five-day trip to be here, arriving on Thursday night.”

Hatfield said a highlight of the 50th anniversary event was a mass drive into Cowes which included some L34 race and road cars.

For Poole, the Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport is the ultimate historic vehicle event in Australia.

A replica of the 1975 Bathurst-winning car which was driven by the Brock/Sampson combo. Image: BRUCE WILLIAMS

“I can’t think of any place better to showcase an L34 Torana,” he said. “They had some great successes when the drivers drove them within their limits, and to their strengths.

“They were a very successful race car.”

Tomorrow, Monday 11 March, a group of the L34s are heading to the old Holden Lang Lang Proving Ground to conclude the long weekend of celebration.

“The boys there are all old GMH workers and they’re super excited to have us along,” Poole said.

“We’ve got a full day’s program. We’re going to get out, take some photos, steer the cars around and have some fun, and they’re going to show us the facility.

“We’ll get out on the skid pan, and hopefully not break any axles,” Pool laughed. “We’ll give it a fair crack.”

All the colours of the Holden Torana SL/R 5000 L34 rainbow were on the main straight of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this weekend. Image: TIM HATFIELD

Read more about the L34 50th anniversary celebrations at this weekend’s Phillip Island Classic here.

-BRUCE WILLIAMS with EDWINA WILLIAMS

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