Hurricane hits Birdwood

With the official name of RD001, indicating its status as Holden's first research and development (ie. concept) vehicle, the Hurricane made its debut at the 1969 Melbourne Motor Show.

Featuring a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive layout, and finished in an experimental aluminium flake-based metallic orange paint, the two-seater sports car was bristling with innovative features and technology, much of which was way ahead of its time.

The Hurricane featured an electronic digital instrument display, station-seeking radio, automatic temperature control air conditioning, rear vision camera and an automated route finder - commonplace today, but radical stuff C1969. The two most innovative features were undoubtedly the "Pathfinder" route guidance system and the rear-view camera.

The "Pathfinder", essentially a pre-GPS navigation device, 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. Engineers using a CCTV system with a camera mounted in the rear bumper feeding vision to a small black-and-white TV mounted in the centre console.

RD 001/Hurricane stands just 990mm high and has no doors, instead using an hydraulically-powered canopy (think Purvis Eureka) that opens upwards and forward over the front wheels. This was combined with twin power-elevating seats (what GM-H quirkily called "astronaut type") which rose up and pivoted forward, along with the steering column, for ease of access.

Safety innovations on the Hurricane included a foam-lined fuel tank, integrated roll-over bar, digital instrument readouts, ignition safety locks, interior padding and a fire warning system.

Following a five-year restoration that was completed in 2011, the Hurricane has occasionally travelled outside of GM-H's headquarters for public display, including 2011's Motorclassica event.

The 1969 Holden Hurricane will on display at the National Motor Museum from Tuesday, July 16, for a limited time. The National Motor Museum is located in Shannon Street, Birdwood, South Australia. Ph: (08) 8568 4000, or go to www.history.sa.gov.au for further details.