CAMS Group C Saloon specs

[Jesper OH]

I'm searching for technical information about the Holden L34 Torana and Ford XB Falcon; what would be the engine size, bhp, rpm, weight, top speed and accelleration of these cars, and other cars running to CAMS Group C saloon car regulations?
How close or far was the well used Ford Capri 3000 GT to FIA Group 1 regs? The Triumph Dolomite Sprint, BMW 2002Tii and Ford Escort Twin Cam begs the same answer - and why did none of the cars have the same flaired wheel arches as the Toranas?

The question has been asked to equate said Holden and Ford products to 1970's SCCA Trans-Am Camaros, Mustangs and Barracudas and early FIA Group 2 1970s Capris and BMW CSLs for slot car racing.

Jesper

[DAVID PATERSON]

CAMS Group C Production Touring Car racing began in 1973 and the cars were only slightly modified, better carburettors, open exhaust, better shocks, stiffer springs, wider wheels, slick tyres and not much else.

Over time freedoms were added, by 1980 wheel arch flares were all the rage with wider wheels to suit. Front and rear spoilers also became popular and for 1983 the wheels and body kits were massively increased in size. The class was put to the sword by the governing body at the end of 1984.

The two models you name, the Holden L34 torana and the Ford XB GT Falcon were the dominant cars from 1974 -1976, when the cars were relatively close to standard. Holden actually sold the L34 off the showroom to the average motorist with the wheel arch flares and spoilers fitted!

I'm unsure of the exact figures, so here's my best guess until a more knowledgeable contributor comes along.

Holden L34 Torana - 1280kg, 390hp, 7000 rpm, 308 ci or 5047 cc, 280km/h.

Ford XB GT Falcon - 1400kg, 450hp, 6800rpm, 351 ci or 5760 cc, 290km/h.

[Jesper OH]

Thank you, David, for your answer. Didn't realise that the early Group C cars weren't more modified, but thinking about it most cars looked rather standard; the Capris, Escorts, 2002s etc.

Jesper

[Amaroo Park]

Really Group C was only a step up from Series Production

[D-Type]

Jesper,
It looks to me as if you have hit a point where Ausralian rules were changing significantly and rapidly. I suggest you zoom in on one particular year, say 1975, establish what the detailed situation was then, and then go 3 years either side, which should give you a fair idea of how things changed.
As you are looking for information for slot car racing, you can allow yourself some elasticity in interpretation if necesary (as I used to do with my Dinky toys 50 years ago where D-Type Jaguar, Cunningham C5R, Lotus XI and Mercedes 300SL all competed against each other although they never did).

[gravin]

Originally Posted by DAVID PATERSON

CAMS Group C Production Touring Car racing began in 1973 and the cars were only slightly modified, better carburettors, open exhaust, better shocks, stiffer springs, wider wheels, slick tyres and not much else.

Over time freedoms were added, by 1980 wheel arch flares were all the rage with wider wheels to suit. Front and rear spoilers also became popular and for 1983 the wheels and body kits were massively increased in size. The class was put to the sword by the governing body at the end of 1984.

The two models you name, the Holden L34 torana and the Ford XB GT Falcon were the dominant cars from 1974 -1976, when the cars were relatively close to standard. Holden actually sold the L34 off the showroom to the average motorist with the wheel arch flares and spoilers fitted!

I'm unsure of the exact figures, so here's my best guess until a more knowledgeable contributor comes along.

Holden L34 Torana - 1280kg, 390hp, 7000 rpm, 308 ci or 5047 cc, 280km/h.

Ford XB GT Falcon - 1400kg, 450hp, 6800rpm, 351 ci or 5760 cc, 290km/h.

Does this mean these have comparable performance to the BTCC group 1 (1 and half/1B) cars of the same period?

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by gravin

Does this mean these have comparable performance to the BTCC group 1 (1 and half/1B) cars of the same period?

From memory some competitors in the smaller engined ATCC classes brought in BTCC Group 1 cars but the cars were specced up for the ATCC - more freedoms and more speed.

The outright ATCC Group C cars of the period would most likely have been quite a lot stronger than BTCC Group 1 cars. Different tracks, different competition of course but from memory a BTCC Group 1 Capri was competitive outright in the UK but such cars when brought out here were competitive once updated in their engine size class but were not competitive against the outright cars at most tracks.

[gravin]

Originally Posted by Tourer

From memory some competitors in the smaller engined ATCC classes brought in BTCC Group 1 cars but the cars were specced up for the ATCC - more freedoms and more speed.

The outright ATCC Group C cars of the period would most likely have been quite a lot stronger than BTCC Group 1 cars. Different tracks, different competition of course but from memory a BTCC Group 1 Capri was competitive outright in the UK but such cars when brought out here were competitive once updated in their engine size class but were not competitive against the outright cars at most tracks.

Makes sense - BTCC cars in group C were Dolomites and Capris (but with mods)