Holden
Hurricane

Why it matters

The 1969 Hurricane was Holden's first concept car, built to test aerospace techniques and materials for future Holdens. It was a mid-engined wedge with a magnetic navigation aid and a rear-view camera; only its production-worthy V8 engine reached Holden road cars.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Holden Hurricane (Wikimedia Commons: Holden Hurricane)
  Photo: GTHO · CC BY-SA 3.0
• Holden Hurricane (Wikimedia Commons: Holden Hurricane)
  Photo: Sicnag · CC BY 2.0
• Holden Hurricane (Wikimedia Commons: Holden Hurricane)
  Photo: GTHO · CC BY-SA 3.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Holden of Australia commissioned the Hurricane to link its image with aerospace technology; it was one of the most expensive experimental cars of its time. The "Pathfinder" navigation system used magnetic signals built into the road, and the interior added digital instruments, a rear-view camera, lifting seats and an automatically opening one-piece door.

The mid-mounted Holden V8 reached production in Holden cars. Holden later restored the Hurricane, and a Holden press release gives 262 hp for the 4.2-litre V8.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The Hurricane has a tubular space frame with steel box sections under a fibreglass body, a mid-longitudinal 4,146 cc Holden V8 driving the rear wheels through a four-speed transaxle, oil-cooled front discs and vented rear discs, and 15-inch wheels (6 in front, 8 in rear). Styling is a low wedge shape.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Unique Cars and Parts – Holden Hurricane Level C

   • 1 prototype

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   1969 Holden Hurricane Concept Level C Supercars.net

   • a new Holden V8
   • Holden V8 ... Mid Longitudinal
   • Holden V8
   • displacement 4146 cc / 253 in3
   • attached to a four speed transaxle
   • four speed transaxle
   • 3.11:1, 2.20:1, 1.47:1, 1.00:1
   • driven wheels RWD
   • Steel Tubular Frame Chassis w/Steel Box Sections
   • f suspension Short and Long Arms w/Coil Springs
   • front brakes Oil Cooled Discs; rear brakes Vented Discs
   • Fiber Glass Body
   • 2438 mm / 96 in
   • 4110 mm / 161.8 in
   • 1803 mm / 71 in
   • 991 mm / 39 in

   Accessed 2026-11-13
3. 3
   Holden Hurricane concept - 1969 Level D Vignale Gamine forum (quoting Holden) · 2012-04-25

   • 4.2 liter V8 engine, producing a respectable 262 hp

   Accessed 2026-11-13