LX TORANA

When first released in early 1976, the LX was a mild facelift of the LH sedan with the addition of a stylish new three door hatchback body style to complement the four door model lineup. However, many upgrades and additions during its production run made the LX a much superior car to its predecessor.

Mechanicals were as before but trim changes were made to the interior and exterior of all cars, and badgework was repositioned. The new hatchback came as an SL and an SS (an S version available for export only). The SL had a trim level equivalent to that of the SL sedan while the SS was the hatch version of the SL/R with engines optional up to the 5.0 litre V8.

All SSs, even the 3300 six cylinder version, had the front spoiler from the SL/R 5000, but had different striping, wheel covers and centre console. The LX SL/R 5000 sedan now had a black painted bonnet and bold identifying black out lettering across the boot spoiler and alone the lower half of the doors. The hatchback equivalent to the SL/R 5000 (ie. the SS hatchback with a 5.0 litre V8 fitted) had no such adornment. It was differentiated from the smaller engined SS hatchbacks simply by the '5.0 litre' badge on the hatch. The front spoiler was slightly smaller than that used on the LH SL/R 5000 and the L34 option was not offered.

The three speed T-bar Trimatic was now available on the 5.0 litre engined cars. Interiors had orange instrument graphics and the sports models (SS & SL/R) had a silver finish dash fascia. A new headlight flasher and dimmer stalk was fitted to all models in lieu of the old floor mounted item which dated back to the 1948 model Holden. The bucket seat moulding shape was improved and all models had seven inch round headlights with the SS hatchback gaining quartz halogen inserts.

In July 1976, the XT4 engines were fitted across the range to comply with the new ADR 27A exhaust pollution laws, and power outputs were altered accordingly. Modifications were made to distributors, carburetors, camshafts and compression ratios to meet the new regulations, and the engines were basically the same as those used on the HX series.

Late in 1976, the Torana 1900 sedan was replaced by the new Sunbird. This had the same body and powertrain as the 1900, but new interiors and the addition of RTS (radial tuned suspension) set it apart from the Torana. RTS was a major upgrade in suspension design and geometry. Springs and dampers were recalibrated and anti roll bars were added to the front and rear suspension. The overall result for the Sunbird was a much improved, better handling car, aimed squarely at the Japanese market threat. Externally, it differed from the Torana 1900 with colour coded grilles, new wheel covers and 'Sunbird' badging. A Fashion Pack option was available with plaid cloth seat and door trim inserts which were available in three colours, coordinated with the exterior. Bumper bar rub strips were added.

The Sunbird hatchback was released in mid 1977. RTS was added to the six cylinder and V8 Toranas a around the same time, making these cars vastly superior to their predecessors. All LXs with RTS had 13 x 5.5 inch wheels and steel belted radials.

Late 1977 saw the arrival of the A9X option, perhaps the most desirable Torana of all. This package was available on all SL/R 5000s and 5.0 litre SSs built from September 1977 onwards, and once again was introduced to homologate these improvements for touring car racing and, in particular, Bathurst. The main improvements for the A9X were the much stronger 10 bolt Holden Salisbury type differential and the addition of rear disc brakes. Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, it had the L34 type wheel arch flares, 14 x 6 inch sports road wheels and a large rear facing bonnet scoop with provision for cold air entry to the carburetor. Ducting was fitted from the front spoiler to provide cooling to the front brakes.

The A9X's entire rear floor panel pressing was new to accommodate the new rear axle assembly with the upper trailing arms mounted further apart. The steering rack was mounted solidly to the front crossmember, not on rubber bushes as before. The engine and gearbox were the standard issue L31 5.0 litre V8 and M21 (Australian) four speed manual, however some cars were fitted with the Borg Warner Super T10 four speed manual (option number MC7) in lieu of the Australian gearbox. Also fitted to the A9X were a heavy duty radiator, a thermo controlled electric engine fan and a radiator overflow reservoir. To match the new rear brakes, HX allot front brake assemblies were used and a new PBR master cylinder with integral proportioning valve and plastic reservoir was fitted. The radio and centre console were deleted as were the SL/R 5000 paint outs on sedans.

These vehicles with RTS, four wheel disc brakes and 5.0 litre engines were probably the best road cars offered by GM-H in the 1970s. Differential ratios up to a tall 2.60:1 made them very good open road touring cars. Even though they did not win their inaugural Bathurst in 1977, they totally dominated touring car racing throughout 1978 and 1979 with Peter Brock winning the 1979 classic by a record six laps (37km).

MINOR FEATURES

DIMENSIONS

      IMPERIAL   METRIC
FUEL TANK   ... 12 GALLONS ... 55 LITRES
WHEELBASE   ... 101.8 INCHES ... 2593 mm
TRACK (FRONT) ... 54.9 INCHES ... 1395 mm
TRACK (FRONT SL/R / SS / RTS) ... 55.3 INCHES ... 1405 mm
TRACK (REAR) ... 54.0 INCHES ... 1372 mm
TRACK (REAR SL/R / SS / RTS) ... 54.4 INCHES ... 1382 mm
HEIGHT (SEDAN) ... 52.6 INCHES ... 1335 mm
HEIGHT (HATCH) ... 52.2 INCHES ... 1325 mm
WIDTH   ... 67.5 INCHES ... 1705 mm
LENGTH   ... 177.6 INCHES ... 4510 mm

PRODUCTION

DOMESTIC ... 62 110
EXPORT (WHOLE) ... 123
EXPORT (CKD) ... 3 744
TOTAL ... 65 977

ENGINE

PRIOR TO JULY '77 (ADR 27)
  COMP.
RATIO
OUTPUT ENG.NO.
PREFIX
1900 LC
(EXPORT)
8.6 74 Y
1900 HC 9.0 76 Y
2850 LC 8.3 71 HE
2850 HC 9.4 78 HD
3300 LC
(EXPORT)
7.8 75 HM
3300 HC 9.4 82 HL
4.2 V8 9.0 130 HR
5.0 V8 9.7 186 HT

JULY '77 ONWARDS (ADR 27)
  COMP.
RATIO
OUTPUT ENG.NO.
PREFIX
1900 9.0 72 Y
2850 MAN 8.3 78 HE OR XQE
2850 AUTO 9.4 87 HD OR XQD
3300 MAN 7.8 81 HM OR XQM
3300 AUTO 9.4 88 HL OR XQL
4.2 V8 9.0 120 HR
5.0 V8 9.2 161 HT

TRANSMISSION

  SPEED SHIFT POS OTHER
MC6 4 MAN FLOOR 1900 ONLY
M15 3 MAN COL RHD
MC2 3 MAN COL LHD
M20 4 MAN FLOOR AUST
M21 4 MAN FLOOR 5.0
MC7 4 MAN FLOOR BW SUPER
A9X
M40 3 AUTO FLOOR
/ COL
TRIMATIC

FINAL DRIVE

BANJO - 2.78, 3.08, 3.36, 3.55, 3.90
LIMITED SLIP OPT
SALISBURY - 2.60, 3.08 (A9X ONLY)
LIMITED SLIP STD

MODELS AND RELEASE DATES

MODEL SEDAN
(OPT)
HATCH
(OPT)
RELEASED AVAILABLE
UNTIL
PRICE AT
RELEASE
TORANA S 1900 8UG69 - 24 FEB 1976 SUNBIRD - NOV 1976 -
TORANA SL 1900 8UH69 8UH77 24 FEB 1976 SUNBIRD - NOV 1976 -
SUNBIRD SEDAN 8UG69
(A8Z)
- 16 NOV 1976 UC - MAR 1978 -
SUNBIRD HATCH - 8UH77
(A8Z)
29 SEP 1977 UC - MAR 1978 -
TORANA S (6/V8) 8VB69 - 24 FEB 1976 UC - MAR 1978 $4790 (6)
TORANA SL (6/V8) 8VC69 8VC77 24 FEB 1976 UC - MAR 1978 -
TORANA SL/R 8VD69 - 24 FEB 1976 UC - MAR 1978 -
TORANA SL/R 5000 8VD69
(XU2)
- SEP 1977 A9X - SEP 1977 $6820
TORANA SL/R 5000 A9X 8VD69
(A9X)
- 24 FEB 1976 LIMITED RUN - 307 -
TORANA SS - 8VD77 SEP 1977 A9X - SEP 1977 $6450
TORANA SS A9X - 8VD77
(A9X)
MAR 1977 LIMITED RUN - 100 -

PAINT CODES

  GMH DULON BERGER TYPE
ABSINTH YELLOW 1886 15949 1D008 SOLID
AQUARIUS 1914 17778   SOLID
CHARMOIS 1887 15950 1G009 SOLID
COTILLION WHITE   15951 1J007 SOLID
DURHAM BEIGE   15952 1G016 SOLID
FLAMENCO RED 1926 30517 1F007 SOLID
JASMINE YELLOW 1927 30518 1D108 SOLID
MADEIRA RED 1928 30519 1F034 SOLID
MANDARIN RED 1890 15953 1F072 SOLID
MINT JULEP 1915 17779   SOLID
OPALINE BLUE 1929 30520 1B074 SOLID
PALAIS WHITE 1930 30521 1J001 SOLID
PANAMA GREEN 1931 30522 1C002 SOLID
PAPAYA 1916 17777 1E020 SOLID
TUXEDO BLACK 2214 15991   SOLID
ULTRA BLUE 1932 30523 1B104 SOLID
VALENCIA ORANGE 1933 30524 1E028 SOLID
ANTELOPE 1894 15940 2G006 METALLIC
ATLANTIS BLUE 1934 30525 2B002 METALLIC
BORDEAUX   17773 2F003 METALLIC
CARIBBEAN TURQUOISE 1935 30526 2B013 METALLIC
CONTESSA GOLD 1896   2D002 METALLIC
DEAUVILLE BLUE   15944 2B016 METALLIC
DYNASTY GOLD 1936 30527 2D004 METALLIC
JADE GREEN   15945 2C010 METALLIC
PERSIAN SAND 1925   2G024 METALLIC
PERSIAN SAND MK II   30183 2G023 METALLIC
ROYAL PLUM   17774 2A005 METALLIC
SADDLE TAN   30528 2G027 METALLIC
SIERRA TAN   17776 2G003 METALLIC
SUPER MINT 1938 30529 2C009 METALLIC
WINDSOR BLUE 1939 30530 2B023 METALLIC

TRIM CODES

  GMH TRIM CODE TRIM CODE
CHARMOIS 60A * / 60B ** 17053 / 17214
FLAX XS5 *  
SIENNA 65A * / 65B **  
SLATE BLACK 18V * / 18X ***  
TAN 67V * / 67Y ** 17057 / 17117
* VINYL, ** CHEVRON, *** RANIER