The Untold Story of the Holden Torana: From Track to Street

The Holden Torana, a compact car born in the late 1960s, left an indelible mark on the Australian automotive landscape.

From its humble beginnings as a rebadged Vauxhall Viva to becoming a homegrown performance icon, the Torana's journey is a fascinating chapter in the history of Holden and Australian motoring.

The Early Years: HB and LC Toranas

In 1967, Holden introduced the HB Torana, based on the British Vauxhall Viva. While it shared most of its mechanical DNA with its UK counterpart, the HB Torana sported a unique exterior design with round headlights and the signature "Coke bottle" hip in the rear quarters. It quickly gained popularity among Australian buyers looking for a compact, economical vehicle.

The real game-changer came in 1969 with the release of the LC Torana. Holden took a bold step by creating Australia's first six-cylinder compact car, effectively carving out a new market segment. As stated in a Holden engineering report from the time:

"In recent years, Australian car buying habits have undergone revolutionary changes. Growing community affluence has spread new car ownership to an ever-widening cross-section of the public and stimulated significant shifts in consumer preferences."

The LC Torana's six-cylinder engine, shared with larger Holden models, gave it an impressive power-to-weight ratio that appealed to performance enthusiasts.

The Rise of the Torana GTR XU-1

In 1970, Holden unleashed the LC Torana GTR XU-1, a high-performance variant designed with competition in mind. Equipped with a triple-carburetor six-cylinder engine, upgraded brakes, and a host of other performance enhancements, the XU-1 quickly proved its mettle on the racetrack and rally stages.

The XU-1's crowning achievement came in the form of four consecutive Australian Rally Championship titles from 1971 to 1974. This compact rocket cemented the Torana's reputation as a giant-killer, capable of outperforming larger and more powerful rivals.

The All-New LH Torana

1974 saw the introduction of the LH Torana, a clean-sheet design that was entirely engineered and built in Australia. Available with a range of four, six, and eight-cylinder engines, the LH Torana offered something for everyone, from the economical Torana 1900 to the potent SL/R 5000.

The SL/R 5000, with its 308 cubic-inch V8 and close-ratio four-speed manual gearbox, became the basis for the legendary L34 option, a homologation special built for touring car racing. The L34 went on to achieve significant success on the track, including multiple Australian Touring Car Championship titles and Bathurst 1000 victories.

The Ultimate Torana: A9X

In 1977, Holden unleashed the ultimate Torana, the A9X. Available as an option package on the LX Torana SL/R 5000 sedan and SS hatchback, the A9X was a pure-bred racing machine. With a stronger differential, rear disc brakes, a heavy-duty cooling system, and a host of other performance upgrades, the A9X proved virtually unbeatable on the track.

The A9X's dominance was exemplified by Peter Brock and Jim Richards' crushing victory at the 1979 Bathurst 1000, where they won by a staggering six laps.

The End of an Era: UC Torana

The UC Torana, introduced in 1978, marked the end of an era for the nameplate. With a focus on refinement and efficiency, the UC Torana ditched the V8 engine options and introduced Holden's new Starfire four-cylinder engine.

While the UC Torana lacked the performance edge of its predecessors, it still offered a comfortable and stylish package for buyers in the compact car market. Production of the Torana ended in 1979, while the four-cylinder Sunbird variant soldiered on until 1980.

Let's Recap

The Holden Torana's journey from a humble compact car to a track-dominating performance machine is a testament to the ingenuity and passion of Holden's engineers and designers. Through its various iterations, the Torana left an indelible mark on the Australian automotive landscape and cemented its place as a true icon of the industry.

From the economical HB Torana to the giant-killing GTR XU-1 and the all-conquering A9X, the Torana nameplate encompassed a wide range of vehicles that appealed to diverse buyers. Its success on the racetrack and rally stages further enhanced its reputation and solidified its status as a performance legend.

Today, the Holden Torana remains a beloved classic, sought after by enthusiasts and collectors alike. Its enduring legacy serves as a reminder of the golden age of Australian motoring and the incredible feats of engineering and design that Holden achieved during the Torana's remarkable run.