It was a first. That was the claim. Holden had announced a new model in which the buyer had a choice of four-cylinder, six-cylinder and V8 engines in one body style. GM Corporation had offered a similar deal with the Chevy II in the late 1960's but the choice had never been offered in Australia.
The body was all new and all Australian, even if very much in GM's world mould. The package was assembled to 'cater for new demand patterns in the Australian vehicle market' and the new Torana was about the same size as earlier Holden's like the EH. It was much larger and roomier than the LJ predecessor, just 254mm (10 inches) shorter than the HQ and about 178mm (7 inches) narrower. Amazingly, for all its size, the LH actually has less rear legroom than the EH.
Most agreed it was a big improvement over its predecessor, but was the LH a replacement or a different class of car? Managing Director of GMH, Mr. Damon Martin, said the design and sizing of the LH were a direct response to the major evolutionary changes in demand for passenger cars in Australia.
'Its keynote is versatility. LH is designed for those buyers who want an alternative to full-size vehicles but whose needs would not be satisfied by a small car.'
Holden was having a bet each way. Whether fuel became as cheap as tap water or as dear as imported mineral water, the company would still have a version of the Torana, which filled the bill. Nevertheless, they anticipated that the six-cylinder model would be the biggest seller.
Mr. Martin said that the demand for the full size HQ Holden models remained strong and that market research convinced GMH that the demand for the larger HQ (available as a 'six' or V8) would exceed Torana sales by a ratio of three to one. Mr. Martin added: 'I think the LH will stand with other groundbreaking GMH cars such as the 48/215, the EH and the HQ - all of which have significantly influenced local car design'.
Specifications
Date of Introduction: March 1974
Total Number Built: 71,408
Models Available: S (4 & 6 cylinder)SL (4 & 6 cylinder)SL/R (6 cylinder & V8)
Engines Available: 1.9 litre (1900), 4 cylinder2.8 litre (2850), 6 cylinder (173ci)3.3 litre (3300), 6 cylinder (202ci)4.2 litre, V8 (253ci)5.0 litre, V8 (308ci)5.0 litre, L34 V8 (308ci)
Transmissions Available: 3-speed manual (6 cylinder)4-speed manual (4 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 auto
Brakes: Front:S models - drumsSL & SL/R models - discs (254mm)L34 model - discs (276mm)Rear:S, SL & SL/R models - drums (228mm)L34 model - drums (254mm)
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 lightSL/R models:Speedo, odometer, fuel gauge, foot-operated park-brake, brake warning light, hi-beam indicator, turn signal indicator, battery charge gauge, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge, tachometer
Interior Dimensions: Front leg room: 1021mm (40.2 inches)Rear leg room: 879mm (34.6 inches)Front headroom: 937mm (36.9 inches)Rear headroom: 922mm (36.3 inches)Front shoulder room: 1379mm (54.3 inches)Rear shoulder room: 1369mm (53.9 inches)Glass area: 23,835 sq. cm (3695.5 sq. in.)
Exterior Dimensions: Total length: 4493mm (176.9 inches)Total width: 1704mm (67.1 inches)Total height: 1328mm (52.3 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.)
Prices at time of introduction: S 1900 4-door sedan - $3,105SL 1900 4-door sedan - $3,375S 2850 4-door sedan - $3,205SL 2850 4-door sedan - $3,545SL/R 3300 4-door sedan - $3,915SL/R 4.2L 4-door sedan - $4,046SL/R 5.0L 4-door sedan - $4,415Options:Trimatic option - $275 (S & SL), $165 (SL/R)4.2L V8 (over 3300) - $1315.0L V8 (with SL/R 5000 option kit) - approx $500(depending on tyres & transmission)
