They did get high perfromance engines from the US, that is what the XW-XA engines were, especially the PhaseII and III. The XW GT-HO was a purpose built, win at all costs race car, that was Al Turner's philosophy. And it still got trounced by the HT Monaro with its hydraulic lifter road car engine. It isn't just the engine that wins you Bathurst, it is the management of the car, the driver(s) and the planning. GMH were all set to run an LT1 350 in the HG, this was the GM equivalent of what was in the PhaseIII, probably the pinnacle of iron headed small block Chevs. The PhaseIII was marginally quicker around Bathurst than an LC XU-1 and got beaten by an LJ. Put it up against a race prepped LT1 HG GTS350 with M22 Muncie and a 12 bolt diff, organised and run by Harry Firth and you'll find history would probaly be very different. Even if Chrysler had given their race teams the testing/development, management and resources the others had you'll find things would have been very different too.
Not to mention there was Brock's claim that they got hold of a (Phase 1?) and tested it around Bathurst and found that the car was even quicker with the rear sway bar either disconnected or removed...
Nunc est bibendum...
The Fords were quick, very quick. But they were hard on brakes and tyres too and used a lot more fuel than a little Torana, which is what bought the XU-1 and also the Charger back into contention. I do remember hearing that story Dave, but I doubt it'd have been too kind on the tyres, might have been good for a qualifying lap!
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