Leyland P76 Targa Florio – ‘Australia’s Own Car!’

with Doctor Clive Fraser

With the prescribing of medications by nurses, and pharmacists doing health checks, it was inevitable that another non-doctor would stake a claim on our traditional medical territory.

The latest inroad comes from none other than our elected representatives who have now seen fit to over-rule their own expert advisers on the PBAC.

Doctors have looked on in dismay as five important pharmaceuticals have run the gauntlet of the PBAC only to be pipped at the post by our politicians in Cabinet.

In the resulting war of words, I was initially right behind Medicines Australia chief executive (Dr Brendan Shaw PhD - Management), who was wholeheartedly on the side of the patients with schizophrenia, excessive sweating, and chronic pain.

That was until he went just that bit too far.

In a radio interview in July, he called Ms Gillard’s pharmaceutical policy a ‘Leyland P76 government policy’.

He described it as ‘badly put together, it looks ugly from whichever way you look at it, and the public don’t want it’. 

They were fighting words. 

As a fan of the Leyland P76, I just can’t stop myself from coming out in its defence.

The first of 18,007 Leyland P76s rolled off the Zetland inner Sydney production line in 1973.

Unfortunately, the stylised P76 badge on the rear of the car did arguably say ‘PIG’ if you were myopic, so an undeserved nickname was emblazoned on that enormous 44 gallon drum rear derriere.

The body was otherwise beautifully styled by Giovanni Michelotti and the car was immune from parking inspectors because of the recessed wiper blades.

As the engineers strove to improve its rigidity, the body was made from only 215 panels - amazingly only five more than a Leyland Mini.

Under the bonnet was an overhead cam straight six or an advanced aluminium V8.  Both of these engines ran rings around the competition in the XA Ford Falcon, the HQ Holden and he VJ Chrysler Valiant.

The aluminium block shaved a 230kg weight advantage over the cast iron competitors and promised better fuel consumption.

But the US decision in October 1973 to re-supply the Israeli military caused the OAPEC countries to declare an oil embargo, which would suddenly make large cars around the world an endangered species.

This still didn’t stop the motoring journalists at Wheels magazine naming the Leyland P76 V8 the 1973 ‘Wheels Car of the Year’.

This is what they had to say about it:

It is in the V8 version that it really shows its potential.  It sets new standards for medium-sized local cars in its ride/handling/road-holding compromise; it has fine brakes, is comfortable, very roomy, and practical and, with the all important V8 engine, has excellent performance and superior fuel consumption compared to the V8 opposition and the larger competitive sixes.  Of course, the car is not perfect but in reaching its design objectives the P76 V8 has contributed to the engineering standards of Australian cars.

In 1974, Evan Green drove a Leyland P76 to success in the 1974 World Cup Rally and made the fastest time around the leg in Sicily.

This included part of the former Targa Florio course and Leyland celebrated by introducing a limited run of 300 P76 Targa Florios to celebrate.

So, take that Dr Brendan Shaw!

Leyland P76 Targa Florio V8

For: Ahead of its time.

Against: Ahead of its time.

This car would suit: Baby-boomers and disco docs.

Specifications:

4.4 litre 8 valve V8 petrol

143 kW power @ 4,250 rpm

386 Nm torque @ 2,500 rpm

3 speed automatic         

$4,890 + ORC.

Safe motoring,

Doctor Clive Fraser

doctorclivefraser@hotmail.com.