The Torana began as a Vauxhall Viva — the HB of 1967 is covered on our Viva HB page. The LC of October 1969 came in two lengths: the four-cylinder cars kept the HB’s panels ahead of the windscreen, while the six-cylinder cars have a longer nose and wheelbase for the red six — up to the triple-carburettor 186 of the XU-1. The LJ of 1972 brought an HQ-style grille on the sixes, split tail lamps and the 202 for the GTR and XU-1. Only six-cylinder LJs came to New Zealand — the 2850S assembled from kits from 1973, the first New Zealand-built Torana.
The LH of March 1974 is an all-new mid-size four-door with Opel 1.9 four, Holden sixes and 253 or 308 V8s, including the SL/R 5000 and L34. The LX of 1976 has round headlamps, a hatchback, the A9X with rear disc brakes, and Radial Tuned Suspension from 1977. The UC of 1978 dropped the V8, with a new front and dash; its four-cylinder twin was the Sunbird, assembled in New Zealand. A 60 per cent tax on big engines in 1974 meant very few six-cylinder LHs were built here.
Holden Torana — specification & changes within the model
- LC — 1969 to 1972
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Four-cylinder: Viva HB front panels, shorter wheelbase. Six-cylinder: longer nose. GTR 161; XU-1 186 with triple Strombergs.
- LJ — 1972 to 1974
- HQ-style grille on sixes, three-part tail lamps. GTR/XU-1 202. 1760 OHC four from late 1972.
- LH — 1974 to 1976
- New four-door. Opel 1.9, 173/202 six, 253/308 V8. Front drums on S, discs on SL and SL/R.
- LX — 1976 to 1978
- Round headlamps; hatchback added. A9X: rear discs. RTS from early 1977.
- UC — 1978 to 1979
- Sixes only; new front and dash; RTS Phase 2, Salisbury axle. Four-cylinder twin: Sunbird.
- Built in New Zealand
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LJ 2850S from 1973, a few LH sixes, and the Sunbird.
- Earth polarity
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We cannot tell you for certain, and we will not guess. We could not find more than one source on the earth polarity for the Torana. Check the car before you order a coil, a regulator or a radio.
