If you were to trace the annals of Australian drag racing greatness, names like Eddie Thomas, Ron Harrop, Victor Bray, and Graeme Cowin would undoubtedly surface, each associated with iconic cars that defined their eras. However, amidst these legends, a group of amateur enthusiasts also left an indelible mark on the sport with their innovative creations, shaping the landscape of drag racing in Australia.
One such pioneering vehicle was the Foulds and Sebire HB Torana Funny Car, a product of teenage ambition and ingenuity. Constructed in the late 1960s, this car, initially designed as an exhibition wheelstander, quickly transitioned into a formidable bracket runner, captivating audiences with its striking paint job and whimsical design.
The story of the HB Torana’s inception reads like a tale of youthful exuberance and determination. Daryl Foulds and Ray Sebire, two 18-year-old schoolmates employed at Daryl’s father’s Holden dealership, embarked on a journey to build a drag car from scratch. Armed with little more than a porous 186 block and sheer audacity, they sketched out their vision on the ground, fashioning a wheelbase inspired by the newly-introduced HB Torana model.
With resourcefulness as their guide, the duo procured spare panels from the dealership to fashion a steel HB shell that ingeniously flipped up Funny Car style for engine access, a groundbreaking feature that defied convention in its time. The chassis, a marvel of triangulated tube-steel construction, boasted a unique blend of components, including a Bob Skoglund front end, a Holden diff, and Skoglund wheels wrapped in Firestone tires.
Under the hood lay a modified 186 red Holden six engine, outfitted with a Perfectune stage III head, triple SUs, and a Thomas cam, all mated to a Holden three-speed transmission. The car’s distinctive psychedelic paint scheme, accentuated by black accents and a bold orange stripe, added to its mystique, earning it the moniker “Thee Torana” and solidifying its place as a standout in the drag racing scene.
As the car evolved, so did its performance, culminating in a transformation that saw the original six-cylinder engine replaced by a potent 327 Chev powerplant, propelling the car to new heights of speed and competitiveness. Under the sponsorship of Perfectune and rechristened as the “Head Hunter,” the HB Torana garnered accolades on the strip, clocking an impressive 11.29@123mph best time and securing victories at prestigious events like the Sydney Mr Holden Eliminator.
Despite its success, the HB Torana eventually underwent a metamorphosis, shedding its steel body for a lighter fiberglass T-bucket in pursuit of even faster times. The car’s racing career spanned nearly three years before its retirement, a decision that marked the end of an era but left an indelible legacy in Australian drag racing history.
Decades later, the memory of the HB Torana lives on, a testament to the passion, creativity, and camaraderie that defined an era when drag racing was as much about individuality and innovation as it was about speed and competition. The story of Foulds and Sebire’s remarkable creation serves as a reminder that sometimes, it’s the unconventional, the daring, and the imaginative that leave the most enduring mark on the sport.