Holden EH S4 Special 1964 ATCC

In September 1963 GMH introduced the ‘S4’, a variant of the EH-179. The S4 sports model (the EH 225 179M-S4, to give it its official title) was Holden’s first ‘toe in the water’ exercise into production racing and it was produced in small numbers (126) for use in motor sport. It combined the powerful 179 engine with a three-speed manual transmission and had unmistakable potential as a modified touring car, people like Dick Johnson and Norm Beechy raced at speeds up to 110mph! Norm Beechey saw the potential and by the end of 1963 had an ‘S4’. By early 1964 Beechy was claiming 230bhp, magic numbers for Holden fans, used to figures little more than 150bhp.
Norm Beechey, with backing from the Neptune Oil Company, raced the ‘S4’ in the single-round, 1964 Australian Touring Car Championship held at Lakeside Raceway in July. Opened in 1961 it was regarded as one of the most exciting circuits in the country. Under the regulations at the time the ‘S4’ was allowed some modifications, including widening the rims, which virtually every one did. There were factory rims available,
but not for Holden, so to use the Dunlop or Michelin race tyres the rim required modification. Large capacity fuel tank, brake booster for the rock hard competition drum brake linings, were other modifications.
Lakeside course had been improved, corners widened and run-off extended, the starting grid could be increased from 15 to 20 cars. Beechey started the ‘S4’ from the third row, and was able to work his way to the lead through a competitive field. Casualties were thinning the numbers, Jim Mckeown going wide crashed out. The leading five were now four. Bob Jane controlled the race until clutch trouble, loosing ground to be in third place. Brian Muir in the red ‘S4’ gained the lead but lost it to Beechy in a bad pit stop. Beechey fought hard to keep the lead but seven laps from the end, Ian Geoghegan was able to pass. Despite desperate efforts to gain back first place, Beechey finished in 2nd position, a mere 1.5 seconds behind Geoghegan. Behind him, more upset was Jane battling an almost clutchless Jaguar in third place.

Item includes certificate and production number plate, mounted to the chassis.