June 2025 -   Three Visionary Holden Concepts 

Three Visionary Holden Concepts That Captured Australia's Automotive Dreams

Australia's automotive history is filled with bold ideas and ambitious projects, but few vehicles capture the imagination quite like Holden's trio of iconic concept cars. From the groundbreaking Hurricane of 1969 to the retro-futuristic Efijy of 2005, these three concepts represent different eras of Australian automotive design and engineering excellence.

1969 Holden Hurricane:
The Wedge That Started It All

The Hurricane was Holden's first serious foray into concept car territory, and what a statement it made. Standing at just 990 mm (39 in) tall, this wedge-shaped wonder was powered by a mid-mounted high-compression 253 cubic inch Holden V8 engine, producing 193 kW (259 hp). This wasn't just a show car – it was a genuine research vehicle that allowed Holden to explore advanced design and engineering concepts.

Hurricane Specifications:

• Engine: Mid-mounted 253 cubic inch (4.1L) Holden V8

• Power: 193 kW (259 hp)

• Height: Just 990mm (39 inches) tall

• Unique Features: Hydraulically powered canopy instead of conventional doors, advanced instrumentation

• Design: Extreme wedge profile with knife-edge styling

The Hurricane's most striking feature was its entry system – it did not feature conventional doors; instead, a hydraulically powered canopy swung forwards over the front wheels. This dramatic access method perfectly matched the car's futuristic aesthetic and demonstrated Holden's willingness to think outside the box.

Where Is It Today?

From its debut until 2005, the Hurricane was displayed at the privately owned Holden National Motor Museum in Echuca, Victoria, and at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. After a comprehensive restoration by Holden in 2011, the Hurricane now resides in Holden's heritage collection.

1970 Holden GTR-X:
The Sports Car That Almost Was

Just one year after the Hurricane, Holden unveiled the GTR-X (originally called the Torana GTR-X), a concept that came tantalizingly close to production. Designed to be a low-production sports car for the 1970 model year, the two-seater had a sublime long-nose, short-tail design that would have been in good company with the Chevy Corvette, Datsun Fairlady/Z, and the Mazda RX-7.

GTR-X Specifications:

• Construction: Fiberglass body over steel ladder chassis

• Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive

• Transmission: 4-speed manual

• Design: Long-nose, short-tail sports car proportions

• Development: Multiple prototypes were built for testing

The GTR-X represented a serious attempt to build a low volume, high visibility sports model using inexpensive tooling and stock mechanical parts. The project used innovative construction methods that were exotic for the Australian market but proven in GM's global operations.

Where Are They Today?

The GTR-X story is particularly interesting because multiple prototypes survived. Only two surviving prototypes remain, with one being the only Holden GTR-X in private hands anywhere in the world. One prototype was recently offered for sale, making headlines in the collector car world, while the other remains in museum collections.

2005 Holden Efijy: Retro-Future Perfection

Fast-forward to 2005, and Holden once again stunned the automotive world with the Efijy (pronounced "EFF-ih-jee"). This wasn't just another concept car – it was a masterful blend of 1950s FJ Holden styling cues wrapped around cutting-edge 21st-century performance technology.

Efijy Specifications:

• Platform: Based on a lengthened Chevrolet Corvette floor pan

• Engine: 6.0 litre LS2 V8 with Roots supercharger

• Power: 480 kW (644 hp) at 6,400 rpm

• Torque: 560 lb-ft at 4,200 rpm

• Transmission: Rear-mounted 4-speed 4L60E automatic

• Performance: 0-100 kph in 5.5 seconds, top speed 280 kph

The Efijy wasn't just about raw power – it featured sophisticated technology including an air suspension system that could lower the car when stationary and electronic instrumentation that would have seemed like science fiction in the 1950s FJ era.

Where Is It Today?

The Efijy became one of Holden's most celebrated concept cars, touring motor shows around Australia and internationally. It remains part of Holden's heritage collection and continues to make appearances at automotive events, reminding enthusiasts of what might have been if Holden had chosen to put this retro-rocket into production.

The Legacy Lives On

These three concept cars represent more than just automotive design exercises – they showcase Holden's capacity for innovation and bold thinking across different decades. The Hurricane pushed boundaries with its extreme wedge design and unconventional access system. The GTR-X came tantalizingly close to giving Australia its own affordable sports car. The Efijy proved that retro styling could be combined with modern performance to create something truly special.

Each of these concepts captured the public imagination in their own way, demonstrating that Holden's design teams were capable of world-class innovation. While none made it to production, they remain important milestones in Australian automotive history and continue to inspire car enthusiasts today. They remind us that sometimes the most memorable cars are the ones that dared to be different – even if they remained forever as dreams rather than reality.

Today, these automotive treasures are preserved in museums and private collections, serving as inspiration for future generations of designers and a testament to an era when Australian automotive innovation knew no bounds.