Something to do with the power steering I think.

That's a good mystery.
I've got a genuine pair of HT 350 manual splash pans, and a pair off a 161 HT wagon, and they look identical to me. Neither car had power steering.
The HT parts book I've got, M36831 - 1972, lists the LH as 7433501, and the RH as 7433500, for all models.
I'd be interested to see the scan, or know of its source.

...there is a chance that the varying part numbers were to do with a different vendor (parts) provider ??....

The left hand splash pan has a hole in it, for which I can only think of one functions, to drain power steering fluid split when filling the reservoir.

The 350 cars have a different stabiliser bar to everything else, but I don't think they are that much bigger so as to need more splash tray clearance.

Perhaps someone has an earlier parts book than mine, which lists the different types, but I'm 90% certain that they were all the same by September 1969.
I also know of a survivor HG350 manual with power steering, so I'll have a look at it next time I'm up that way and see what it has.

Sorry I cannot add to this, I too have been stumped by this one for years, gave up looking for an answer years ago.

Warren

Bathurst spec cars?

Under production racing, which Bathurst came under in those days, the cars had to be identical to the raod going cars.

Some people purchased a car, gave it a good check over, drove it to Bathurst and raced it. So if a race car had it Bathurst then every 81837 manual should have it.

They even recalled cars to fit parts so that the part could be used at bathurst. ie air cleaner, brake vents, wheels and heads to name a few.

Warren

I just asked Ben when I we were discussing some HK paperwork. The unique HT GTS350 splash trays were part of the upgrade stuff available so that Harry could use certain stuff for Bathurst, included the higher flowing 186 cast heads and the other bits and pieces. The trays were vented apparently, but were removed from use altogether once Harry got his recall mods made - the holes in the radiator support for air flow negated the requirement. I think he said they can only be found in the update parts catalogue issued at the time, and were removed from subsequent ones.

Great forum, you guys are on it, good to see some input from Ben too, coincidentally my mate (from here on I'll call him "Bob")
said something the other day about vent holes cut in the radiator support and maybe other cooling tweaks,
perhaps to do with the bumper bar as mentioned by detective...
I think he said some of the South African cars had something going on in this regard,
I'm waiting for him to check this forum and get back to me, he doesnt post to forums so I guess I have to be the middle
man which makes it a bit awkward sometimes but he does know a lot about HKTG Chev and Torana.

With reference to the vents in the front panel behind the bumper have you noticed the african cars are neatly stamped out in production whilst ours were hacked and just folded back.

Some of the cars were done by the dealer and others done by the factory. I have seen a numbe of different methods used by dealers, including a hole saw.

As for the bumper, rumour has it that the race cars were jacked up by their front bumpers to bend the bumper upward to allow more air flow. I would not try this on a road car, because if you are successful in bending the brackets the bolts in the guards may cause damage to the guard, which is not a problem on a race car. If you take those bolts out the bumper will not allign properly anymore.

Warren