The Holden Torana is a auto which was produced by General Motors–Holden's, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors from 1967 with 1980. The name originates from an Aboriginal word meaning "with fly". The initial Torana appeared inside 1967 plus had been a four-cylinder compact car with origins inside the British Vauxhall Vivas of the mid-1960s.
While the 1969-73 vehicles included more prevalent, longer-wheelbase six-cylinder versions, plus with all the 1974-77 vehicles adding eight-cylinder versions with the blend, a range of four-cylinder versions continued for the whole creation existence of the Torana.
Changing tack inside Australian engine sport, Holden introduced the LC Torana GTR XU-1 inside 1970, with performance improved drivetrain plus handling. From this time from with the launch of the Holden Commodore, the Torana stayed Holden's many effective sports/performance car, with numerous victories garnered inside rallying plus circuit racing.
The introduction of the VB Commodore inside 1978 was preceded by the arrival of the up-to-date UC Torana/Sunbird twins however without sports versions or V8 engine choices. The Torana was subsequently discontinued inside 1979, followed by the four-cylinder Sunbird inside 1980.
In South Korea the LJ Torana was yielded nearby because the Chevrolet 1700 plus Saehan Camina.

Introduced inside May 1967 with substitute the HA series Vauxhall Viva inside the Australian marketplace, the initially Torana model became a facelifted HB series Vauxhall Viva. It showcased a two-door body, 12 inch wheels along with a 56 bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine mated with a four-speed gearbox. A Borg-Warner Model 35 three-speed automatic transmission was optional. Drum brakes were fitted front plus back, with energy assisted front disk brakes optional.
In early 1968 a "Series 70" engine way was added. This engine had a high compression ratio, a high lift camshaft, along with a single CD Stromberg carburettor, that boosted output with 69 bhp. Power assisted front disk brakes were standard whenever this engine was chosen, as well as the automatic transmission way was today no longer accessible with all the standard 56 bhp engine. A 'sports' model was equally introduced simultaneously called the 'Brabham' Torana, called inside honour of the well-respected Australian race-car driver, Sir Jack Brabham. The Brabham Torana's engine was based found on the Series 70, yet twin CD Stromberg carburettors with sports air cleansers were fitted. Together with all the low regulation exhaust program, this boosted the force with 79 bhp. The Brabham furthermore included wider wheel rims plus red-wall tyres, force assisted front disk brakes because standard, different badging plus black body accents. Automatic transmission wasn't accessible about this model.
In September 1968, the '69 Torana' was introduced, occasionally called the HB Series II. This featured nearby produced body panels, changing the imported bodies of the authentic HB. The model line up today included a 4-door sedan that was developed inside Australia, with four-door bodies shipped back with the UK with be built plus available because the Viva. A collapsable steering column was today fitted, together with a unique recessed instrument cluster, brand-new signal switch, plus modern steering wheel lent within the modern full-sized Holden. These neighborhood components changed the earlier imported Vauxhall products. A result of utilizing these localized components was the reduction of the stalk operated headlight dip switch plus horn. The dip switch ended up found on the floor, because was the case for full-size Holdens. Dual circuit brakes were today standard about all models, though energy assisted front disk brakes were nevertheless optional with all the standard 56 bhp engine. The Brabham Torana was nevertheless accessible, inside two-door shape just. It today included a sports steering wheel synonymous with the modern Holden Monaro GTS, full instrumentation, different badging, plus different black accenting. The HB Torana continued till late 1969. Total manufacturing was 16,318 with imported panels plus 20,243 with all the nearby manufactured bodies.

The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is an internal combustion engine with all the cylinders installed inside a straight line over the crankcase with the pistons driving a popular crankshaft.
The bank of cylinders can be oriented at any angle, plus where the bank is inclined with the vertical, the engine is often called a slant-six. The straight-six design is the easiest engine design which has both main plus secondary mechanical engine balance, causing a lot less vibration than motors with fewer cylinders.

In vehicles, the straight-six shape is employed for engine displacements ranging from around 2 with 5 litres. It is furthermore often chosen for small machines however these, though especially smooth running, are quite pricey with manufacture inside terms of cost-to-power ratio. Because the size of a engine is about proportional with the quantity of cylinders inside 1 bank, the straight-six is really longer than alternative layouts including L4, V4, V6, or V8.
The smallest manufacturing straight-six was found inside the Benelli 750 Sei motorcycle, displacing 747.7 cc. Honda plus Mike Hailwood raced inside the 1960s with all the RC166 250 cc six-cylinder, 24-valve motorcycle engine. Pre-World War II motors may be very big by contemporary practices — like the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost's 7.4 L engine as well as the 824 cuin of the 1910s Peerless, Pierce, plus Fageol.
The biggest contemporary passenger-car straight-sixes are the four.2 L powerplants found inside many Jaguars plus AMCs, the four.3 L Hemi Six, the four.0 TVR Speed Six, the four.0 Ford Barra, the four.1 Chevrolet 250, the four.2 Chevrolet Vortec 4200, four.2 L Toyota Land Cruiser,4.5 plus four.8 Nissan, four.8 Chevrolet, four.9 Ford, as well as the 5.0 L of Hudson H-145. As of 2009, the Cummins B Series engine employed inside Dodge Ram pickup pickups displaced as much as 6.7 L
The Gipsy Six plus Gipsy Queen, created by the de Havilland Engine Company from 1935 till 1950, were inverted straight-six motors displacing 560.6 cubic inches. They were utilized inside a range of aircraft including the de Havilland Dragon Rapide as well as the Cierva W.9 experimental helicopter.
Because it's a totally balanced configuration, the straight-six is scaled as much as quite big models for thick truck, commercial plus sea utilize, like the 16 L Volvo diesel engine as well as the 15 L Cummins ISX utilized inside thick cars. The largest are utilized with force ships, plus employ gas oil. The straight-six will moreover be viewed because a scalable modular component of heavier motors that stack many straight-sixes together, e.g. flat- or V-12s, W-18s, etc.

In February 1972, the facelifted LJ Torana was introduced with all the six-cylinder models today visually associated with all the greater Holden HQ series. Many mechanical components were shared with all the LC, with all the main changes limited with the choice of motors. The four-cylinder Torana retained its 1200 & 1600 motors nevertheless was today furthermore accessible with a 1300 cc device. The 2250 plus 2850 motors carried over into the revised six-cylinder Torana models, as well as the 3300 engine was adopted because the engine for the LJ Torana GTR sedan. Gearbox options stayed the same over the range.
A race-bred variation of the 3300 engine was furthermore fitted with the LJ Torana GTR XU-1, producing effectively over 220 brake horsepower. By today equipping the XU-1 with all the 202ci engine plus bigger 1.75in CD triple carburettors, and a modern close ratio M21 4-speed Australian prepared transmission, this gave the nimble XU-1 the energy boost it required with really challenge the effective Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III, that had earned the 1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500 creation vehicle stamina race held yearly at Bathurst.
In the somewhat wet 1972 Hardie-Ferodo 500, the lightweight HDT Torana GTR XU-1 was capable with finally claim victory from the heavyweight GT-HO, driven solo for 500 miles by Peter Brock. This will be the begin of the 'Peter Perfect'/Torana legend, as well as the initially of five Bathurst wins for the Torana inside its colourful ten-year racing job at Bathurst.
Holden furthermore developed a 308ci V8-powered variation of the GTR XU-1, usually called the GTR XU-2, however the auto not produced it past the prototype stage. This was due with the 'Supercar scare' of 1972, that associated massive political stress being located on Holden, Ford plus Chrysler with abandon their proposed specifically built 'Bathurst Supercars', including the XU-2. This was the outcome of the media frenzy which was reporting against these soon-to-be introduced "bullets about wheels" accessible with the general public. In impact, all 3 producers bowed to the stress, plus Holden might postpone its introduction of the V8 Torana for 2 years till the launch of the somewhat bigger LH series Torana inside 1974.
A total of 81,813 LJ Toranas were built by Holden inside Australia, with certain exported with New Zealand, however, just inside 6-cylinder shape, probably due with the synonymous 4-cylinder Vauxhall Viva HC range being available there also. The 2850SL model, with bucket seats plus 4-speed floor shift, or Trimatic three-speed automatic was equally shipped with New Zealand inside CKD kit shape for neighborhood assembly from 1973, becoming the initially Kiwi-built Torana.
The LJ Torana created the basis of the Chevrolet 1700 inside South Korea, yielded by GM Korea between 1972 plus 1976. Unlike the Torana, the 1700 was equally accessible because a five-door station wagon. Powered with a 1,698 cc four-cylinder engine, the 1700 available improperly inside the Korean marketplace with just 8,105 units produced; the auto was perceived with experience excellent gas usage.
Due with bad Chevrolet 1700 sales, the vehicle was revised because the Camina inside 1976. But, the Chevrolet adaptation continued with market alongside it till both models were discontinued inside 1978. A small 1,492 cc engine was fitted with deliver greater gas economy than its Hyundai plus Kia competitors, still, sales didn't recover with just 992 vehicles available inside 2 years. The 1700 plus Camina substitution, the 1977 Saehan Gemini became a development of the Isuzu Gemini.

In 1974 the six-cylinder LJ Torana was changed by the unique mid-size body six- plus eight-cylinder LH Torana series. To fill in time before the March 1975 launch of the four-cylinder GM globe T-car Holden Gemini, the brief wheelbase 4-cylinder LJ models were provided a simple facelift incorporating a body color plastic moulded front grille assembly plus revamped back light lenses. This auto was introduced inside February 1974 found on the Australian marketplace just, inside both two- plus four-door types, because the TA Torana. It was just yielded for 11 months with a total manufacturing run of 11,304 units.

March 1974 saw the initial completely unique Torana body, with all the arrival of the greater mid-sized LH series, yielded inside four-door sedan fashion just. Despite the greater exterior size, the auto was reasonably cramped by mid-1970s practices. It resembled different GM items of its generation, notably the Opel Ascona. It was specific because, after the addition of the 4-cylinder way inside May 1974, the same body design was accessible with a choice of inline 4, inline 6, or V8 motors, especially, 1.9-litre Opel 4, 2.85- plus 3.3-litre Holden 'red' sixes, plus four.2- plus 5.0-litre Holden V8s.


1974 LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 sedan. Note the round headlamps fitted with the L34—all alternative LHs were factory fitted with rectangular lights.
The 5.0-litre engine was reserved for the sporting LH Torana SL/R 5000 sedan. A specialized build derivative of the SL/R 5000 was the Bathurst-intended 'L34 Option', of that just 263 were built, with a high compression engine with stouter components for more force plus toughness inside competition utilize. The many notable exterior feature of the L34 was the bolt-on wheel arch extensions, crafted to support the heavier racing rims plus tyres.
The L34 proven with be quickly plus effective, yet delicate, inside Australian touring auto racing. It was eventually superseded by the evolutionary A9X choice produced obtainable in the LX Torana series inside 1977. The LH Torana inside L34 shape claimed the famed Bathurst 1000 touring automobile race with Peter Brock plus Brian Sampson inside 1975 plus with Bob Morris & John Fitzpatrick inside 1976.
Prototype wagon plus hatchback versions of the LH Torana were built, however, not reached manufacturing. Overall, a total of 70,184 LH Toranas were built.
New Zealand assembly got off with a troubled begin. GMNZ, that nonetheless had a broad four-cylinder Vauxhall Viva/Magnum line about sale, had planned a 2850 six 'S' model with bench front seat plus three-speed column guide shift as well as the 3300SL with bucket seats plus four-speed guide or three-speed Trimatic floor shift. However the NZ government imposed a 60% sales taxes about vehicles with motors over 2 litres really because GM established the LH inside mid-'74 plus just a some of every were built. The LH was then withdrawn temporarily plus relaunched certain months later with all the Opel 1.9-litre I4 plus floor shift guide or car gearboxes. Six-cylinder Toranas might not again be integrated NZ plus were just fairly uncommon imports following this. GMNZ equally built a limited specific surrounding 'sports' unique editions however the changes were just aesthetic.

The mildly facelifted LX series arrived inside February 1976. Cosmetically, the many apparent changes were with substitute the LH's rectangular headlights with round headlights, side window surrounds were changed from body color with black, as well as the front Holden badge was enlarged. A two-door hatchback body was introduced because an alternative with the four-door sedan, though the 1,897 cc Opel device wasn't available inside the unique body fashion. After its introduction, the LX was subjected with performance reducing engine modifications inside purchase with comply with unique mid-year emission laws.


Holden LX Torana SL Coupe


1977 LX Torana SLR 5000
LX Sunbird
Whenever the LX Torana was introduced it showcased a choice of four-, six- plus eight-cylinder motors. In November 1976 the four-cylinder Torana was revised plus relaunched because the Holden LX Sunbird. From which point, the four-cylinder models today driven by the nearby yielded Starfire Four were advertised because Sunbirds as well as the six- or eight-cylinder models because Toranas. The authentic LX series Sunbird became a single-trim range, with four-speed guide plus three-speed automatic transmissions. There were minor trim variations compared with the Torana, notably the grille plus distinctive chrome wheel covers. It was advertised because a four-door sedan plus because a three-door hatchback. The introduction of Sunbird moreover coincided with all the initial attempt by Holden to incorporate a handling package with its range of vehicles. The introduction of 'radial-tuned suspension' started with all the LX Sunbird sedan plus hatchback plus then your LX Torana.
A9X option
During 1977, the LX series moreover saw the development of another limited build high-performance choice aimed at winning inside Australian Touring Car racing, plus inside certain at the yearly Bathurst 1000 touring automobile race. This was the 'A9X Option' which was accessible found on the 5.0-litre V8 driven SLR 5000 sedan plus SS hatchback models. The A9X visually resembled the L34 optioned LH model, however with all the addition of the rear-ward facing bonnet scoop which was specifically tailored with heighten airflow by the engine bay with make maximum force inside racing conditions. The A9X package varied within the older L34 inside road shape because while the engine wasn't modified, the A9X nevertheless had several specialized mechanical qualities like back disk brakes, thick duty axles along with a thick duty '10 bolt' differential.
After being rushed into racing service, the Torana A9X eventually lost its first Bathurst race inside 1977 with the Ford Falcons of Allan Moffat plus Colin Bond. But, the A9X package was shortly processed plus proven dominant throughout the following 2 seasons of touring vehicle racing inside Australia. A9X motorists Peter Brock plus Bob Morris were victorious inside the 1978 plus 1979 Australian Touring Car Championships respectively plus A9Xs shared by Peter Brock plus Jim Richards claimed the Bathurst 1000 race inside both years.
Overall a total of 65,977 LX Toranas were yielded by Holden.

The introduction of the UC Torana inside March 1978 saw the demise of V8 energy as well as the cessation of the sporting SL/R variant inside the Torana range of vehicles. The UC series showcased a greatly modernised frontal appearance along with a completely unique inside dash design. Torana was today rationalised with a choice of 2 equipment degrees plus 2 six-cylinder machines, the 2.85-litre as well as the 3.3-litre. A 'Deluxe Pack' was a choice which enabled the UC Torana SL with compete with Ford's TE Cortina Ghia ... this comprised laminated windscreen, tinted side plus back windows, intermittent wipers, radio/cassette player, cloth trim, sports instrumentation plus bumper overriders.


1978–1979 Holden UC Torana SL Sedan


Holden UC Torana SL Hatchback
The Holden Sunbird was additionally up-to-date with UC requirements plus continued with market perfectly because a 1.9-litre four-cylinder vehicle, sharing its body architecture with all the UC Torana sedan plus hatchback. The UC Sunbird extended into 3 trim levels: base, SL plus SL/E. It did well inside New Zealand, where it was assembled, very inside fleets where it competed with all the Ford Cortina along with a range of Japanese models. SL/E trim was equally obtainable in NZ. The UCs had square headlamps along with a easier front end. LX plus early UC Sunbirds were fitted with a 1.9-litre Opel engine. Later UC models had a 1,892 cc 'Starfire' engine which was furthermore installed into the Australian-produced versions of the Toyota Corona. The Hatchbacks were deleted inside 1979, exiting just the sedans for the 1980 model year. The last Sunbird was integrated September 1980. The Sunbird was changed initially with a four-cylinder adaptation of the Holden Commodore, before the arrival of its all-natural successor, the Holden Camira, from 1982.
There was at 1 point shape consideration of the five-door hatchback adaptation of the UC Torana, that had a synonymous side profile with the Rover SD1 plus rode an extended wheelbase. The idea not got past the clay modelling stage, possibly inside many element due with the impending introduction of the GM V-Car, the Commodore.
After launch of the VB Commodore inside November 1978, it shortly became well-defined with GM-H which the Torana was too synonymous inside size compared to the more contemporary Holden Commodore. As a outcome, the UC Torana was shortly dropped within the Holden range inside 1979. The UC Sunbird continued by 1980 with a fresh nearby produced 1.9-litre 'Starfire' engine changing the imported Opel device.
For a whilst at smallest, there was clearly speak of further extending the Torana/Sunbird's creation lifetime beyond 1980, with a facelifted 'UD' model, of that prototype models of the sedan plus hatchback were really built - featuring frontal styling synonymous with the Opel Ascona B. But, due with the vehicle itself being outdated compared to the brand-new Japanese opposition, Holden decided about a simpler path by introducing the 'Starfire' engine into the VC-series of Commodore sedans plus wagons.
Ultimately, the title of four-cylinder mid-size Holden was taken over inside 1982 by the Camira, Holden's variation of GM's front wheel drive 'J-Car'. But, the 'Starfire' engine did stay accessible for another 2 years inside the VH-series Holden Commodore, plus continued with be fitted with the VK-series inside New Zealand.
Simply over 55,000 UC series Toranas plus Sunbirds were yielded.

Torana GTR-X
GTR-X

Production Initially 1970
Body fashion coupé
Layout FR layout
Engine 186 in³ / 3.0L I6
253 in³ / four.2L V8
The Torana GTR-X was crafted throughout the era of the LC series, plus was really considered for creation inside the early 1970s. The GTR-X had a wedge-shaped fibreglass body featuring a hatchback back access, as well as the prototype vehicles had LC Torana GTR XU-1 mechanical components.
The GTR-X looks synonymous with iconic sports vehicles of the 1970s, including the Ferrari 308 GT4, Lotus Esprit as well as the Mazda RX-7. It weighed 1,043 kg plus has a top speed of 210 km/h. The Torana GTR-X inside creation might have been the initial Holden automobile with be factory fitted with four-wheel disk brakes.
Whenever Holden introduced a marketing brochure regarding the GTR-X, they mentioned ... "Its lengthy, sleek bonnet is accentuated with a low wedge-shaped grille. The body line sweeps up at the back with an elevated tail light assembly. Simplicity is the keynote. It is attained by concealed headlights, sharp windshield rake, recessed parking plus turning lights, plus flush petrol filler access plus door handles. Front plus back bumpers assume the shape of the body. To identify the auto, the GTR-X identification is contained in the sharp black plus orange stripe running parallel with the rocker panel".
The Torana GTR-X was very developed by Holden from concept, plus despite that brochures, photography plus marketing movies were yielded with show how severe they were inside placing the vehicle into manufacturing, the business was eventually unable with justify the significant expense of committing itself with creation provided the scale of the Australian population inside those days.
The just existing complete prototype GTR-X auto has been lately restored back with its authentic white paint finish plus remains about public show at the Salmon Street offices of Holden inside Melbourne, Victoria. This auto, initially white because pictured, was painted silver inside the mid 70's. It had UC Torana SL/E wheels fitted along with a couple of alternative aesthetic changes inside an attempt by Holden with move the auto with all the instances plus "restore it". During this period it toured engine museums including the Birdwood museum inside South Australia. In 2003 the vehicle was returned with its authentic build condition by Car Shine inside Melbourne, before being shipped with the US with the General Motors Technical Center at Michigan for the celebration of automotive shape spanning the previous 75 years.

In 2004, Holden introduced a luminous, hot pink or "ManGenta" medium-sized, rear-drive concept automobile called the Torana TT36. The project was initially called XP54, reflecting the acronym 'eXperimental Project' plus coded 54 inside recognition of Holden's so-called Studio 54 shape workshop inside the outer suburbs of Melbourne. The model was mentioned with debut a brand-new platform for General Motors plus previewed the appearance of the 2006 VE Commodore.
By applying twin KO4 Warner turbochargers, an air-to-air intercooler plus varying valve actuation with its Alloytec 190, then dropping the compression with 9.0:1, Holden designers were capable with deliver a energy peak of 280 kW plus no lower than 480Nm of torque, with 90 per cent accessible from only 1600rpm.
The prototype visited the National Motor Museum at Birdwood inside the Adelaide Hills inside early 2008.

Straight-six motors were introduced much earlier than V6 machines. While the initially straight-six was produced inside 1903 by Spyker, it wasn't till 1950 a manufacturing V6 was introduced. V6s had intrinsic vibration difficulties not present inside the straight-six.
The size of the straight-six wasn't a main concern inside the elder front-engine/rear-wheel drive cars, however the contemporary move with the more space-efficient front-engine/front-wheel drive plus transverse engine designs inside small vehicles created the size of the V6 a main benefit. As a outcome, inside latest years car producers have changed nearly all of their straight-six motors with V6 engines; Mercedes-Benz today utilizes V6 machines despite nearly all of their lineup keeping the front-engine/rear-wheel design. Increasingly straight-six motors are additionally being changed by turbocharged in-line 4 cylinder motors, that provide the same force output with considerably greater gas efficiency, due with small displacements plus lower friction within the reduced quantity of cylinders. The bad secondary harmonic balance of four-cylinder machines is mostly addressed with all the utilize of balance shafts though it could not match the in-line six