Most people around the world known for building Holden Commodore 2000 Monaro coupe and sedan, but the Australian company became a subsidiary of GM in 1931, has a rich history that goes far beyond these two models.
In 1969, the carmaker based in Melbourne presented its first concept car ever, the hurricane, code-named RD 001 E 'was a futuristic study of the vehicle described in the company at trial, "a study design trends, sources of energy and other long-term development. "
Nearly four decades of years captured the titles at the 1969 Melbourne Motor Show, Holden, and decided it was time to return to the historical concept of its original form and present it to the public again.
The process of careful restoration began in 2006 with the help of some very dedicated Holden designers and engineers who have given thousands of hours of their time to bring the hurricane to its former glory.
Paul Clarke, director of Computer Modelling creative Holden that led to the restoration project, said the company has made sure to use original parts as possible, or renew them using the latest technology for the 1969 specification.
"The whole team did a fantastic job in bringing this concept back to the beautiful life," says Clarke. "The Hurricane plays a crucial role in the history of Holden and the company has such a great sense of history and heritage, it was very important for R & D 001 to life. It was a difficult but extremely rewarding. "
The hurricane has a wedge-shaped body fiberglass consists of three parts: the canopy, hood and body. Mid-equipped sports built a staple experimental aluminum-based metallic orange paint.
The hurricane has a position, the cover is opened hydraulically up and forward over the front wheels so that passengers can get in the car. At the same time, power seats, lifts to get up and turn forward, the steering column. Once inside, the occupants got out to a semi-recumbent position before the canopy closes over them.
It provides a central motivation experimental 4.2-liter (253 cubic inches) V8 four barrel carburetor producing 262 horsepower (193kW). Holden has estimated that the light might be the perfect Hurricanes 0-60mph (96 km / h) in 5.3 seconds and shutter a quarter mile of 13.0 seconds.
RD 001 is endowed with many futuristic technologies such as electronic displays hours of digital devices, the station in search of radio, air conditioning with automatic climate control and rear view camera.
Perhaps one of the most standout was the automatic route, the Finder, which seemed like a primitive system of GPS navigation. The "Pathfinder" has used a system of magnets embedded in the intersections along roads to guide drivers along the way you want, with a dash mounted panel informs the driver of which turn to take to highlight different arrows, and sounds a buzzer.
Other innovations include a wide range of safety features including a fuel tank covered with foam, integrated roll cage, safety locks on, interior padding, and a fire warning system.
"There is truly remarkable ideas and technology in the hurricane," said former studio chief engineer Rick Martin Holden, who led the team to try to restore the vehicle components, systems and history.
"Since the temperature control and a magnet system based on the orientation, the seat belt retractor and metallic paint, which was a car that was really ahead of its time," adds Martin.
To view the restored Holden Hurricane in person, the concept will be on public display at the Motor Show, the Royal Exhibition Motorclássico Melbourne from October 21-23.
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