After Sandown and the subsequent homologated changes to the Monaro the Holden Dealer Team travelled to Bathurst with the status of underdog after Ford had so convincingly won Sandown in such a dominant fashion.
Harry's secret in relation to the pistons of the 350 Monaros proved to be a masterstroke. As the race developed, the privateers that had entered 350 Monaros developed piston problems and subsequently had extensive pitstops or retired from the race. Ford had issues with tyre selection after radically selecting Goodyear Tyres over the race proven Michelins. The Goodyears shredded under the stress and duress of the Mountain and at the end of the day Harry Firth and the newly formed Holden Dealer Team were triumphant with the combination of Colin Bond and Tony Roberts coming in first place, followed by Bruce Mc Phee and Barry Mulholland (who completed one lap) in second place and Peter Brock,(a newcomer who was to subsequently become one of the most infamous drivers in Australian motor sport history) and Des West coming in third.
Little did anyone know that from this moment on the Holden Dealer Team in the next ten years would become the most successful team in Australia Motor Racing history.
After Bathurst the Holden Dealer Team embarked upon the development of the the infamous LC XU1 Torana. The first Holden Dealer Team car ever raced was placed in the corner of the Queens Avenue workshop in Auburn to await the next phase of its life.
After a few months the Dealer Team repaired the Monaro and Campbell Motors decided that it was time to dispose of the car. An advertisment was subsequently placed that requested tenders for the purchase of the Dealer Team Car. The damage that was sustained during the Sandown 300 was rectified. This involved the replacement of the 2 rear quarter Panels, the rear beaver panel, the boot and the front guards as well as patching the Fuel tank that was damaged when the Monaro hit the Armco. (This fuel tank is still in the car and shows all of the scars and repair patches) Due to the fact that all of these modifications were implemented by the Holden Dealer Team no changes have been made to the Monaro as these changes have been deemed to be part of the Monaros historical significance.
One of the spectators at the Sandown 300 in 1969 was Tony Connelly, an employee of GMH. Tony was a motor racing enthusiast and Tony was informed months later that Campbell Motors of Preston was going to sell the Holden Dealer team car by Tender. Tony subsequently submitted the below tender document and was successful in purchasing the car.
