VIDEO: 1969 HOLDEN HURRICAN CONCEPT CAR
Holden has gone back to the future, restoring its very first concept car – the 1969 Holden Hurricane. The futuristic research vehicle described as an experiment “to study design trend, propulsion systems and other long-range developments” has been restored to its former glory as a labour of love by a dedicated group of Holden designers and engineers.
Codenamed RD 001; the Hurricane is a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive, two-seater sports car which incorporates a remarkable array of innovative features and technology, much of it way ahead of its time.
The Holden Hurricane’s V8 engine featured many advanced design components such as the four-barrel carburettor – a feature which wouldn’t be seen on a production 253ci Holden V8 until the late 1970s.
The end result was approximately 262 horsepower, a towering power output in 1969, and one that ensured the Holden Hurricane had the go to match its show.
The “Pathfinder”, essentially a pre-GPS navigation system, relied on a system of magnets embedded at intersections along the road network to guide the driver along the desired route.
A dash-mounted panel informed the driver of which turn to take by illuminating different arrows, as well as sounding a warning buzzer. The rear-view camera was also a ground-breaking innovation. The engineers used a Closed Circuit Television system with a camera mounted in the rear bumper feeding vision to a small black-and-white TV mounted in the centre console.
Very futuristic considering this was conceptualised nearly 50 years ago!
Be sure to take a look at the video below.
