The Leyland P76 was unloved when released back in 1973 even if it did win the coveted Wheels Car of the Year, but it was short lived as the model famous for carrying a 44-gallon drum in the boot finished its production run in 1975.
Uniquely designed for the Australia market, the P76 appearance came via Giovanni Michelotti and was nicknamed ‘the wedge’ soon after its release due to its sloping front end and large boot.
Timing appeared perfect upon release of the P76 as it was projected to be a success until a variety of supply chain problems, industrial action leading to lack of parts availability and production difficulties at Leyland Australia’s Zetland plant compounded the oil crisis to hit locally in 1973. The P76’s end nearly came before it started.
Considering the budget Leyland Australia’s design team had in its hand when designing the P76, it was quite amazing the model it produced as it arguably improved on the breed offered by the ‘big three’, Ford, GM-H and Chrysler.
First of all, the P76 was a roomier model inside compared to its rivals, while safety was significantly attended to by providing power-assisted brakes and full-length side intrusion reinforcements.
However, due to being a low production manufacturer a high level of interest didn’t mix and this led to Leyland Australia not being able to meet demand leading to several teething problems, which proved to be detrimental to customer satisfaction. The P76 name was now spoken as one to avoid.
There was one last hurrah for the P76 as success came in the 1974 World Cup Rally via journalist and rally driver Evan Green as he finished 13th outright and won the Targa Florio stage in Sicily, Italy.
In celebration of the fine achievement, Leyland Australia released a limited edition P76 ‘Targa Florio featuring the 4.4-litre V8, ‘Targa’ mag wheels, T-bar auto, limited slip diff, side stripes, special branding and was offered in three colours – Omega Navy, Nutmeg and Aspen Green.
Only 488 ‘Targa Florio’ P76s were built and amazingly enough the donk under the bonnet has a link to Jack Brabham winning Repco engines from the 1960s. The 4.4-litre V8 is inspired by GM’s Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac version, the one Repco used as its base to power Brabham’s championship winning BT16 in 1966, then the next year for New Zealander Denny Hulme.