LX stats and history

Torana Project - A Work In Progress

Statistics and History

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The History: February 1976 brought the announcement of the revamped LX Torana's and, on 4th March, the range went on display at the Melbourne Motor Show and on sale throughout Australia. The big news in the LX range was that the hatchback, first rumoured when the LH was released, was finally available. It was Australia's first, although in the 1930's GMH had produced the 'Sloper coupe' - a body design credited with being the forerunner of the modern hatchback.The hatchback was 'in' around the world, and Holden's, with its kick-up spoiler at the rear, showed the strong design influence of the Chevrolet Monza. The official line was that "The two new hatchback models introduce a completely new body shape to the Torana range in a concept which has found worldwide acceptance as an attractive and versatile alternative to the traditional sedan.

In spite of some reservations about its weight, size and price, the LH had done well. It had outsold the competitive models from the other members of the big three - the Chrysler Centura and Ford Cortina - combined. It had also proved strong, reliable and popular and didn't wipe out sales of the bigger Holden, as some had predicted. The hatch was mechanically identical to the LX Torana sedan, in turn almost identical to the LH model, which it had replaced. There were some new anti- pollution devices on the engines, giving a small power drop except in the 5000, which had its compression ratio boosted from 9:1 to 9.7:1. There was also a nip here and a tuck there, but no real improvements. Round headlights were fitted to all models and the window frames blacked out.

The hatchback was available in SL and SS versions, the later being the 'sports' model. SS supposedly stood for 'Super Sports' but imagine the surprise when the 'SS' name was carried over to the Opel-bodied VB Commodore and German visitors saw 'their' car draped with SS insignia! The hatch had appealing looks, but little of the practicality, which can be offered in a well-designed hatchback. It was agreed to be a great looking car, certainly the designers had worked hard on the looks and hadn't compromised such things as the rear passenger headroom. The lift-up hatch door, mounted on concealed hinges, was power assisted by gas-filled support struts. The wide opening hatch made the flat luggage area exceptionally easy to load, even if a little shallow. The spare wheel and additional concealed luggage space were housed under the rear floor. Access to the rear seat was best described as adequate. The rear seat itself was split to provide maximum versatility - this was one of the first cars with such a feature. The hatchback had a distinctive floor console which incorporated lower level ventilation outlets, floor shift lever housing, standard push-button radio and accessory switch controls for heated rear window, driving lights and power antenna options.

SPECIFICATIONS
Date of Introduction: February 1976
Total Number Built: 49,902
(incl. 8,527 hatchbacks)
Models Available: S sedan (4 & 6 cylinder)
SL sedan (4 & 6 cylinder)
SL/R sedan (6 cylinder & V8)
SL Hatchback (6 cylinder & V8)
SS Hatchback (6 cylinder & V8)
A9X option available with 5.0 SL/R & 5.0 SS models
Engines Available: 1.9 litre (1900), 4 cylinder
2.8 litre (2850), 6 cylinder (173ci)
3.3 litre (3300), 6 cylinder (202ci)
4.2 litre, V8 (253ci)
5.0 litre, V8 (308ci)
Transmissions Available: 3-speed manual (6 cylinder)
4-speed manual (4 cylinder, 3.3L 6-cylinder & V8)
3-speed automatic (4 & 6 cylinder, V8)
Differential Ratios: 4 cylinder (1900) - 3.9 manual, 3.55 auto
6 cylinder (2850) - 3.36 manual, 2.78 auto
6 cylinder (3300) - 3.08 manual, 2.78 auto
V8 (4.2) - 2.78 manual, 2.78 auto
V8 (5.0) - 2.78 manual, 2.78 auto
2.60:1 diff & T10 (4 spd) gearbox
available with A9X option
Brakes: Front:
S models - drums
SL, SL/R & SS models - power-assisted discs (254mm)
A9X model - discs (293mm)
Rear:
S, SL, SL/R & SS models - drums (228mm)
A9X model - discs (293mm)
Instruments / Controls: S & SL models:
Speedo, odometer, fuel gauge, foot-operated park-brake, brake warning light, hi-beam indicator, turn signal indicator, generator warning light, oil pressure warning light, temperature warning light clock (SL only)
SL/R & SS models:
Speedo, odometer, fuel gauge, foot-operated park-brake, brake warning light, hi-beam indicator, turn signal indicator, battery charge gauge, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, tachometer, alternator warning light
Interior Dimensions:

(Sedan)
Front leg room: 1021mm (40.2 inches)
Rear leg room: 843mm (33.1 inches)
Front headroom: 937mm (36.9 inches)
Rear headroom: 919mm (36.2 inches)
Front shoulder room: 1372mm (54.0 inches)
Rear shoulder room: 1364mm (53.7 inches)
Glass area: 23,835 sq. cm (3695.5 sq. in.)
Exterior Dimensions:

(Sedan)
Total length: 4509mm (177.5 inches)
Total width: 1704mm (67.1 inches)
Total height: 1331mm (52.5 inches)
Wheelbase: 2586mm (101.8 inches)
Front track: 1400mm (55.1 inches)
Rear track: 1372mm (54 inches)
Kerb weight: 1143 - 1183kg (2520 - 2609lb)
Turning circle: 10.97m (36 ft.)
Fuel tank capacity: 55 litres (12 gallons)
Cargo capacity: .31 cu. mt (10.8 cu. ft.)
Interior Dimensions:

(Hatchback)
Front leg room: 1021mm (40.2 inches)
Rear leg room: 775mm (30.5 inches)
Front headroom: 932mm (36.7 inches)
Rear headroom: 916mm (36.1 inches)
Front shoulder room: 1372mm (54.0 inches)
Rear shoulder room: 1367mm (53.9 inches)
Glass area: 24,903 sq. cm (3860.1 sq. in.)
Exterior Dimensions:

(Hatchback)
Total length: 4509mm (177.5 inches)
Total width: 1704mm (67.1 inches)
Total height: 1326mm (52.2 inches)
Wheelbase: 2586mm (101.8 inches)
Front track: 1400mm (55.1 inches)
Rear track: 1372mm (54 inches)
Kerb weight: 1170 - 1209kg (2580 - 2666lb)
Turning circle: 10.97m (36 ft.)
Fuel tank capacity: 52.5 litres (11.5 gallons)
Prices at time of introduction: S 1900 4-door sedan - $4,345
SL 1900 4-door sedan - $4,813
S 2850 4-door sedan - $4,584
SL 2850 4-door sedan - $5,249
SL/R 3300 4-door sedan - $5,798
S 4.2L 4-door sedan - $6,027
SL 4.2L 4-door sedan - $6,284
SL/R 4.2L 4-door sedan - $6,485
SL/R 5.0L 4-door sedan - $6,485
SL 3300 hatchback - $5,683
SS 3300 hatchback - $6,088
SS 4.2 V8 hatchback - $6,813
SS 5.0 V8 hatchback - $7,275

Body Codes

MODEL CODE BODY ENGINE
S 8UG69 Four-door Four
SL 8UH69 Four-door Four
SL 8UH77 Three-door Four
8UH77 Three-door Four
S 8VB69 Four-door Six
SL 8VC69 Four-door Six
S 8VB69 Four-door V8
SL 8VC69 Four-door V8
SL 8VC77 Three-door Six
SL 8VC77 Three-door V8
SL/R3300 8VD69 Four-door Six
SL/R4200 8VD69 Four-door V8
SL/R5000 8VD69 Four-door V8
A9X 8VD69 Four-door V8
SS 8VD77 Three-door V8
A9X 8VD77 Three-door V8

Paint Codes
PAINT NAME BERGER/DULUX ICI CODE GMH CODE PAINT TYPE
Absinth Yellow 1886/15949 1D008 Solid
Antelope 1894/15940 2G006 Metallic
Aquarius 1914/17778 Solid
Atlantis Blue 1934/30525 2B002 Metallic
Bordeaux /17773 2F003 Metallic
Caribbean Turquoise 1935/30526 2B013 Metallic
Chamios 1887/15950 1G009 Solid
Contessa Gold 1896/15942 2D002 Metallic
Cotillion White /15951 1J007 Solid
Deauville Blue /15944 2B016 Metallic
Durham Beige /15952 1G016 Solid
Dynasty Gold 1936/30527 2D004 Metallic
Flamenco Red 1926/30517 1F007 Solid
Jade Green /15945 2C010 Metallic
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
Persian Sand 1925/15946 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
Tuxedo Black 2214/15991 Solid
Ultra Blue 1932/30523 1B104 Solid
Valencia Orange 1933/30524 1E028 Solid
Windsor Blue 1939/30530 2B023 Metallic

Trim Codes
TRIM NAME GMH TRIM CODE TRIM CODE
Chamois 60A (vinyl) and 60B (chevron) 17053/17214
Flax XS5 (vinyl)*
Sienna 65A (vinyl) and 65B (chevron)
Slate Black 18V (vinyl) and 18X (ranier)
Tan 67V (vinyl) and 67Y (chevron) 17057/17117

* Available on all LX models (except SLR5000 and SS 5 litre models) and was available for all colour combinations.
NB All specs taken from GMH - Torana webiste. With thanks.

Date of Introduction

February 1976

* Incidentally, only about 380 genuine A9Xs were built.

Total Number Built

49,902 (including 8,527 hatchbacks)

Models Available

S sedan (4 & 6 cylinder)

SL sedan (4 & 6 cylinder)

SL/R sedan (6 cylinder & V8)

SL Hatchback (6 cylinder & V8)

SS Hatchback (6 cylinder & V8)

A9X option available with 5.0 SL/R & 5.0 SS Models

Engines Available

1.9 litre (1900)

4 cylinder 2.8 litre (2850)

6 cylinder (173ci) 3.3 litre (3300)

6 cylinder (202ci) 4.2 litre

V8 (253ci)5.0 litre

V8 (308ci)

Transmissions Available

3-speed manual (6 cylinder)

4-speed manual (4 cylinder, 3.3L 6-cylinder & V8)

3-speed automatic (4 & 6 cylinder, V8)

Differential Ratios

4 cylinder (1900) - 3.9 manual

3.55 auto6 cylinder (2850) - 3.36 manual

2.78 auto6 cylinder (3300) - 3.08 manual

2.78 autoV8 (4.2) - 2.78 manual

2.78 autoV8 (5.0) - 2.78 manual

2.78 auto2.601 diff & T10 (4 spd) gear box available with A9X option

Brakes

Front

S Models - drums SL

SL/R & SS Models - power-assisted discs (254mm)

A9X Model - discs (293mm)

Rear

S, SL, SL/R & SS Models - drums (228mm

A9X Model - discs (293mm)

Instruments / Controls

S & SL Models

Speedo, odometer, fuel gauge, foot-operated park-brake, brake warning light, hi-beam indicator, turn signal indicator, generator warning light, oil pressure warning light, temperature warning light clock

(SL only) SL/R & SS Models

Speedo, odometer, fuel gauge, foot-operated park-brake, brake warning light, hi-beam indicator, turn signal indicator, battery charge gauge, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, tachometer, alternator warning light

Interior Dimensions

(Sedan)

Front leg room 1021mm (40.2 inches)

Rear leg room 843mm (33.1 inches)

Front headroom 937mm (36.9 inches)

Rear headroom 919mm (36.2 inches)

Front shoulder room 1372mm (54.0 inches)

Rear shoulder room 1364mm (53.7 inches)

Glass area 23,835 sq. cm (3695.5 sq. in.)

Exterior Dimensions

(Sedan)

Total length 4509mm (177.5 inches)

Total width 1704mm (67.1 inches)

Total height 1331mm (52.5 inches)

Wheelbase 2586mm (101.8 inches)

Front track 1400mm (55.1 inches)

Rear track 1372mm (54 inches)

Kerb weight 1143 - 1183kg (2520 - 2609lb)

Turning circle 10.97m (36 ft.)

Fuel tank capacity 55 litres (12 gallons)

Cargo capacity .31 cu. mt (10.8 cu. ft.)

Interior Dimensions

(Hatchback)

Front leg room 1021mm (40.2 inches)

Rear leg room 775mm (30.5 inches)

Front headroom 932mm (36.7 inches)

Rear headroom 916mm (36.1 inches)

Front shoulder room 1372mm (54.0 inches)

Rear shoulder room 1367mm (53.9 inches)

Glass area 24,903 sq. cm (3860.1 sq. inches)

Exterior Dimensions

(Hatchback)

Total length 4509mm (177.5 inches)

Total width 1704mm (67.1 inches)

Total height 1326mm (52.2 inches)

Wheelbase 2586mm (101.8 inches)

Front track 1400mm (55.1 inches)

Rear track 1372mm (54 inches)

Kerb weight 1170 - 1209kg (2580 - 2666lb)

Turning circle 10.97m (36 ft.)

Fuel tank capacity 52.5 litres (11.5 gallons)

Prices At Time Of Introduction

S 1900 4-door sedan - $4,345

SL 1900 4-door sedan - $4,813

S 2850 4-door sedan - $4,584

SL 2850 4-door sedan - $5,249

SL/R 3300 4-door sedan - $5,798S

4.2L 4-door sedan - $6,027

SL 4.2L 4-door sedan - $6,284

SL/R 4.2L 4-door sedan - $6,485

SL/R 5.0L 4-door sedan - $6,485

SL 3300 hatchback - $5,683

SS 3300 hatchback - $6,088

SS 4.2 V8 hatchback - $6,813

SS 5.0 V8 hatchback - $7,275

HOLDEN VEHICLE SERIAL NUMBER:

STAMPED ON THE RIGHT-HAND FRAME SIDE MEMBER

MODEL CODE BODY ENGINE

Torana S 8UG69 Four-Door Four Cylinder

Torana SL 8UH69 Four-Door Four Cylinder

Torana SL 8UH77 Three-Door Four Cylinder

Torana S 8VB69 Four-Door Six Cylinder

Torana SL 8VC69 Four-Door Six Cylinder

Torana S 8VB69 Four-Door V8

Torana SL8VC69 Four-Door V8

Torana SL 8VC77 Three-Door Six Cylinder

Torana SL 8VC77 Three-Door V8

Torana SL/R 3300 8VD69 Four-Door Six Cylinder

Torana SL/R 4200 8VD69 Four-Door V8

Torana SL/R 5000 8VD69 Four-Door V8

Torana A9X 8VD69 Four-Door V8

Torana SS 8VD77 Three-Door V8

Torana A9X 8VD77 Three-Door V8

My Background

I might also use this page to describe my own personal history regarding my hobby. For example, if I'm describing boatbuilding, I might mention how I first became interested in boats and how I acquired my skill.

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