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TORANA TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
A brief history of the Torana is provided with thanks to Holden.
In the early 1960s, as Australian car buyers were offered an ever-increasing choice of makes and models, Holden diversified its offerings beyond the hugely popular full-sized family cars that had so far dominated the market.
Holden's first small car entrant was the UK-designed four cylinder Vauxhall Viva HA, introduced in 1964. The UK connection continued with the launch in 1967 of the two-door Torana HB, a close cousin to the Viva HB. Although the Torana nameplate was based on an Aboriginal word meaning 'to fly', the two-door, four-cylinder 1200cc original didn't do much to live up to the promise the name implied.
Successive models, however, ensured that the Torana name would come to mean much more than that to the hundreds of thousands of Australians who owned one new, got hold of one second-hand, who passed one carefully down through the family, who raced one, rallied one, rolled one; who hotted theirs up; who restored one or two or three and who watched in awe as the little battler with a big heart killed giants on the motorsport circuits of the 70s.
The 1969 Torana LC is regarded by many as the first real example of the breed. Classified as
small/medium size (the LC designation stands for 'light car'), it introduced traditional Holden six-cylinder power to the range, which offered two and four-door sedan configurations and several four- and six-cylinder engine variants.
Included was a GTR sports model - and in 1970 a racing version, the GTR X-U1 option, powered by a triple carburettor 3.3 litre straight six, was created by the Holden Dealer Team's Harry Firth to do duty in place of the Monaro GTS 350. One month after the XU-1 launch, Holden revealed the futuristic, wedge-shaped Torana GTR-X two-seater sports concept, which featured the same high-performance engine.
The 1972 Torana LJ picked up features and refinements from the landmark Holden HQ series released in 1971 and the model line-up remained four-cylinder two-door Torana 1200 sedan, two and four-door Deluxe sedan and six-cylinder Torana S (two and four doors), SL four-door, GTR and production GTR XU-1. There was a broad choice of engines, from a 56hp four to the 190hp six which powered the XU1, assisted by triple 175mm CD Stromberg side draught carburettors.
The ultimate Torana GTR XU-1, released in September 1972 and boasting 190hp (142kW), was piloted to victory in the Hardie-Ferodo 500 (Bathurst 1000) at Mt Panorama by a young Peter Brock. That day, speed, reliability, agility and a brilliant driving performance created two enduring Aussie heroes.
The 1974 Torana LH all-Australian medium car was released a month after the short-lived TA Torana four-cylinder series. The LH range was one of few in the world to offer buyers to choice of four, six and eight-cylinder engines; with the six proving most popular. Bigger and roomier than previous models, it capitalised on Torana strengths: good power to weight ratio, good handling, solid build and durability.
Performance kings were the V8-powered SL/R 5000, identified by decals, air dams front and rear and the seriously professional SL/R 5000 L34 option package, intended for the racetrack. In 1975, the V8 Torana was the weapon of choice for most top touring car drivers, and a privateer Peter Brock led a Holden demolition team over Mount Panorama.
The Torana L34 took the top three podium placings and every one of the class D (3110cc – 6000cc) race finishers was a Torana. Back on the Mountain in 1976, the trusty Torana L34 once again dominated the Great Race with a 1-2-3 finish.
The 1976 Torana LX added a smart 3-door hatchback style to the 4-door model line-up. The SS
version could be optioned with a 5.0 litre V8 engine. Four-cylinder versions, which introduced Radial Tuned Suspension (RTS) were now named 'Holden Sunbird'. The six and eight-cylinder Toranas received RTS in mid-1977 and later that year came what most consider to be the most sought-after Torana of them all.
The A9X option was introduced to homologate improvements for the touring car circuit and was
available on all recently-built SL/R 5000 and 5.0 litre SS models. This wonderful road and racing car developed 220hp/164kW (road version) using roller rocker overhead cam gear, four-wheel disc brakes, front and rear spoilers and wider 14-inch wheels.
Extras included a strong Holden Salisbury-type differential, revised suspension geometry, L34-type wheel arch flares and a large rear-facing bonnet scoop which fed cold air to the carburettor. Front spoiler ducting drew cool air to the front disc brakes. The rear floor panel pressing was new to accommodate the new rear axle assembly and steering gear was directly chassis-mounted.
Engine and gearbox were the standard-issue 5.0 litre V8 and M21 four-speed manual, although race
versions were fitted with a Borg-Warner Super T-10 four speed. More A9X additions were a heavyduty radiator, thermo-controlled electric engine fan, HX alloy front brake assemblies and a new master cylinder with integral proportioning valve. Deletions – race machines are spartan - included the radio and centre console.
While the Torana A9X did not win at its 1977 Bathurst debut (victory went to the Moffat/Ickx Falcon XC), glory years followed in 1978 and 1979, when Peter Brock and Jim Richards blitzed all comers and the A9X filled five out of the six podium placings. Remarkably, Brock and his A9X set a new lap record on the final circuit of the 1979 race and beat the second-placed car by six laps -- not a bad farewell for a car with nothing left to prove.
The Torana UC introduced in March 1978 was the last of the line. It offered a range of improvements, among them more aerodynamic styling, major changes to front sheet metal, rectangular headlights and an upgraded interior. The Salisbury differential was introduced with UC, RTS was further refined and rear disc brakes were optional. No V8 or sports-oriented models were offered. As the UC series, which included the Sunbird, was phased out in the early 1980s, it was replaced by early versions of the Holden Commodore and later by the JB Camira.
Holden Torana Bathurst Wins
1972 Peter Brock Torana XU-1
1975 Peter Brock/Brian Sampson Torana L34
1976 Bob Morris/ John Fitzpatrick Torana L34
1978 Peter Brock/ Jim Richards Torana A9X
1979 Peter Brock/ Jim Richards Torana A9X
Australian Touring Car Championship Series Wins
1974 Peter Brock Torana XU-1
1975 Colin Bond Torana L34
1978 Peter Brock Torana A9X
1979 Bob Morris Torana A9X
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