1976
the year of suspense

1976 gave the 1000km race it's closest and most emotion charged finish - and its first win by an international.

Sydney driver Bob Morris stood shaking, crossed fingers held aloft, at the side of the track while his English co-driver John Fitzpatrick nursed their broken axled Torana through the final three laps to cross the line just 48 seconds ahead of Colin Bond's Holden dealer Team Torana - itself afflicted with a blown head gasket. Behind Morris, chief mechanic Bruce Richardson wept as the car gently urged toward the finish; Morris saved his tears for the joy of actually making it.

That a Torana won last year to put Holden into a 5-4 lead from Ford, in the continuing battle was no surprise. There were, after all, 16 Toranas entered against three Fords.

But the Holden domination did nothing to detract from the drama. It began only seconds from the start, when the race's most publicised entry - Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss driving together - were out before their Torana could turn a wheel. Brabham found the car locked between two gears when he attempted to start, and stayed put while the 60-car field roared off around him.

A Triumph Dolimite driver, starting well behind Brabham on the long grid, simply did not see the Torana in the huge cloud of tyre smoke until it was too late. The Dolimite thumped squarely into the Torana's tail, taking them both out of the event.

The Brabham/Moss car did reappear on the track some hours later for an exhibition drive, but the two greats of motor sport still were left with the unwanted distinction of the shortest Hardie-Ferodo drive ever.

Allan Moffat, this time driving his accustomed Ford with Australian international Vern Schuppan, provided the mid-race drama when the failure of a fan belt pulley plucked the car from a comfortable lead - and what was looking like his fourth race victory. But the finish was the best.

With 30 laps to go, Bond led with Fitzpatrick catching him, and just as the Englishman was about to pass with a dozen laps left, Bond pitted with a broken fan belt and leaking head gasket. With the Bond car limping - its driver dared not go too fast for fear of boiling the engine dry - Morris and Fitzpatrick looked safe.

But on the fourth last lap, the leading car's rear axle failed and Fitzpatrick was also reduced to a limping pace. They ground on, Fitzpatrick trailing smoke, Bond slowly catching up.

Behind them was 1975 winner Peter Brock, delayed earlier in the race twice when he ran out of fuel and again by a broken axle, was storming through in the really "fit" big car left.

But this time Brock was too late, the ninth Hardie-Ferodo had gone to Morris and Fitzpatrick.

The James-Hardie Group

Biante have maintained the high standard already set by their XU1 models and have beautifully recreated the Team Brock L34 which brothers Peter and Phil (Split pin) drove to 3rd place on the Mountain in 1976.

This models production is limited to only 6,000 units. Surprisingly, I found it relatively easy to source this model at stores in July of 2002. The asking price ranging $135.00 to $350.00 per unit, so it certainly pays to shop around on the Internet and indeed haggle over the phone. Racenutz on the Gold Coast offering a fantastic package deal for both the L34 and A9X.

While I have always believed that 1:24 scale models are the right size for detail, I have certainly warmed to the 1:18 scale in which so much more detail is obvious and visually enjoyable (old eyes you see). When I eagerly unpacked this model the first thing that struck me was the fantastic paintwork and the clarity of the decals. It brought me right back to when I saw this car at the mountain in 76 and my comments to my mates that I thought Brocks paintwork/presentation was the best out there. His 76 mount certainly being a lot more pretty that his 75 mount which was pictured above the word "Spartan" in the dictionary.

Once again, Biante oblige collectors with a numbered model and certificate of authenticity with young Pete's signature on it, overall sensational value I reckon.

The overall model is highly detailed. Indeed, Biante have accurately recreated the LX Torana shape and its unique contours. Again, superb decals and a high quality paint finish make the car a "must have" addition to your ever-expanding Brock model car collection, which just happens to multiply… all by itself. I reckon its bloody amazing (so does my wife) what they get up to in the dark…so put them out in the light for all to see. And WHEN you get quizzed as to when the new Brock model appeared, take my advice and say, "gee wiz love, I've had that for ages!" Please Note - The Brock05 website takes no responsibility for domestic violence situations arising from model collecting advice provided by this page.

The engine bay detail is reasonably accurate and has all the obvious wiring and plumbing. Once again I love the large set of Webbers under the bonnet.

The interior detail is excellent, in particular, the overall Torana dash detail, additional instrumentation housing, pedals, steering wheel, roll cage etc. Door trim and seats are also accurately recreated. It certainly well represents the very functional and no frills character of the L34 Torana interior.

The Aunger Hot Wire wheels (remember how they were all the rage…golly I'm old) are beautifully recreated and mounted with those trusty Bridgestone slicks that helped Peter to so many victories. Those fat wheels sit very well under those great bolt-on flares that gave the Torana that balls and all look.

There are, however, some minor aspects of the car which were a tad disappointing. The racing harness looks a bit fake and plastic where it runs from the back of the seat to the parcel shelf. The belt should have that "weighted down" look not the "bubbled up" appearance. Further the model has no brake ducting from the front spoiler that was evident on the racecar.

Overall, another superb model by Biante and one of my very favourites. If you don't yet have one, get moving. They are still relatively easy to obtain through your local model stores but don't ask me why.