Jump to content


Torana special editions....


  • Please log in to reply
69 replies to this topic

#51 yel327

yel327

    Oh My, Don't you post alot

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 13,009 posts
  • Joined: 10-February 08

Posted 18 December 2014 - 07:26 AM

GMH never built a turbo Torana in the 70's?? The only Turbo car I knew of that GMH built was one of the twin Monaros done in HX - Bagshaw's GTS sedan was a turbo 308. Anything else was always aftermarket (which includes dealers) as far as I was aware.



#52 Dr Terry

Dr Terry

    Technical + Numbers Guru + Moderator

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,267 posts
  • Location:Eastwood (Sydney) NSW
  • Joined: 13-November 05

Posted 18 December 2014 - 08:25 AM

Yes, as Byron has said, GM-H didn't build any turbo Toranas, but many conversions were carried out by Normalair-Garrett thru some dealer groups, most notably Suttons & Zupps. In UC form they were often badged SL/T. Similar conversions were also carried out on early series Commodores

 

Many people have tried to claim that these were somehow quasi-factory affairs with some GM-H input, probably to make them appear to be worth more money. The fact is that they are no more a factory effort than a CDT Gemini or a WGR Commodore.

 

Dr Terry



#53 _sstorana_

_sstorana_
  • Guests

Posted 18 December 2014 - 12:12 PM

Dr Terry

 

there were never actually any SL/T badges on the UC turbo'd cars. They were simply badged SL's

 

Probably one of the best 'sleeper' cars in the late 70's/ early 80's.

 

cheers

Mick



#54 mika03au

mika03au

    Forum Fixture

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 812 posts
  • Name:Michael
  • Location:Brisbane
  • Car:LX hatch
  • Joined: 06-July 11
Garage View Garage

Posted 18 December 2014 - 04:17 PM

Can any one add a link to the SL/T road test published by one of the magazines back in the day.
Not sure which magazine had it but I think it was a red UC hatch with flared guards . Wheels, modern motor..
The conversion,from what I remember, was quick but very unrefined.

#55 yel327

yel327

    Oh My, Don't you post alot

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 13,009 posts
  • Joined: 10-February 08

Posted 18 December 2014 - 04:34 PM

Sounds like anything with a Holden six in it (the unrefined bit that is!).



#56 StephenSLR

StephenSLR

    Oh My, Don't you post alot

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,707 posts
  • Name:Stephen
  • Location:Sydney
  • Car:1976 LX SL/R
  • Joined: 12-November 05

Posted 18 December 2014 - 07:00 PM

Can any one add a link to the SL/T road test published by one of the magazines back in the day.
Not sure which magazine had it but I think it was a red UC hatch with flared guards . Wheels, modern motor..

 

http://www.gmh-toran...ads/#entry62638

 

s



#57 Dr Terry

Dr Terry

    Technical + Numbers Guru + Moderator

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,267 posts
  • Location:Eastwood (Sydney) NSW
  • Joined: 13-November 05

Posted 19 December 2014 - 02:44 PM

Dr Terry

 

there were never actually any SL/T badges on the UC turbo'd cars. They were simply badged SL's

 

Probably one of the best 'sleeper' cars in the late 70's/ early 80's.

 

cheers

Mick

Hi Mick.

 

I worked on these cars when new. Suttons was virtually next door to my workshop & we had several UC Turbos in & I remember at least 2 cars with SL/T badges. Maybe this was something they had made for themselves on some of the later cars, as they began to sell  few.

 

Dr Terry



#58 _duggan208_

_duggan208_
  • Guests

Posted 20 December 2014 - 12:05 AM

I've got a Max Ellery's Torana manual with a specs section on a UC Torana SL/T option. Gives the impression that it was a factory option. I never thought it was a factory option, strange that it is included in this manual. It made 135 KW @ 3800 rpm, 390 Nm @ 2600 rpm, M-20 4 speed (Ellery 1997, p. 360). It gave the A9X (road car) a good run for its money. Its interesting to note that it had 13x7 wheels on the front and 14x8 on the rear, doesn't sound like a factory option now. My uncle had a plus 4, red LH, great looking car, later on as I grew up I discovered with disappointment that it was powered by a shitfire 4.

Regards



#59 mika03au

mika03au

    Forum Fixture

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 812 posts
  • Name:Michael
  • Location:Brisbane
  • Car:LX hatch
  • Joined: 06-July 11
Garage View Garage

Posted 21 December 2014 - 10:38 AM

http://www.gmh-toran...ads/#entry62638
 
s

That it is the exact story I was talking about.
Have a look at the 1977 options prices...
13" front wheels and 14" rears, same issue we all have with bigger front wheels and flares, some things never change.

#60 _ck1971_

_ck1971_
  • Guests

Posted 21 December 2014 - 04:33 PM

A9X was a limited edition special build for the road. Yes it homologated some bits but it was never a built for race car like the XU1 and L34.


The XU-1 was raced as a series production car the L34 and A9X were both raced under Group C rules. So what you're inferring is the L34 could have been taken from the showroom floor given a tune and raced? Correct me if I'm wrong. By the way it would be interesting to see how both the L34 and A9X would have performed as series production race cars, which one would have blown it's engine first or broken a wheel or maybe the L34 would break an axle, who knows.

ck1971.

#61 yel327

yel327

    Oh My, Don't you post alot

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 13,009 posts
  • Joined: 10-February 08

Posted 21 December 2014 - 04:47 PM

That is true, but the L34 ran its own homologated engine (albeit modified to last), ran an aussie 4spd and banjo diff and brakes as per the road car. They mostly ran a body shell that exited the production line as a road car. A9X's never ran an engine close to what the road cars had AND most "A9X" race cars were not even A9X's but a spare part body shell or even modified L34's. Hell afaik later on the A9X didn't even run the rear axle the road cars had.



#62 _lx5008_

_lx5008_
  • Guests

Posted 21 December 2014 - 09:27 PM

Lh plus 4 and ss hatchbacks were the only lh lx toranas with painted bumber bars, and the turbo holden, ive seen new holden sold with turbos fitted ( so dealer fitted or sub out ) lx uc and kingswoods and red motor commodores.



#63 _ck1971_

_ck1971_
  • Guests

Posted 22 December 2014 - 04:07 AM

That is true, but the L34 ran its own homologated engine (albeit modified to last), ran an aussie 4spd and banjo diff and brakes as per the road car. They mostly ran a body shell that exited the production line as a road car. A9X's never ran an engine close to what the road cars had AND most "A9X" race cars were not even A9X's but a spare part body shell or even modified L34's. Hell afaik later on the A9X didn't even run the rear axle the road cars had.


I see what you are saying but both the L34 and A9X race cars were miles removed from the production versions, the L34 race engines were highly modified under Group C rules for racing, modified carbs, cam, rockers, exhaust, lubrication system and the diff ran a Detroit no spin unit that was never available in a road car. The A9X diff and axles were production units afaik. If you look at the L34 road car you will see that there was very little consideration given to making it go fast on the road, standard cam, stock air cleaner and an exhaust system that breathed about as well as an elephant through a drinking straw. The L34 and A9X should be viewed in the same light, they are both homologation specials. If you look at them purely as road cars then the A9X is the more refined car but with some engine mods the L34 becomes pretty fast albeit without the brilliant chassis balance, steering and brakes of the A9X.

ck1971.

#64 yel327

yel327

    Oh My, Don't you post alot

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 13,009 posts
  • Joined: 10-February 08

Posted 22 December 2014 - 07:36 AM

No doubt, the race cars were simply built within and often beyond the rules with some winning cars often not legal to the rules. My point simply is the A9X as a road car was rarely raced, and afaik the road cars that were raced were not very successful. The 1978-9 racing Toranas were mostly not an A9X but a spare part, some of the cars are known (or at least suspected) to not even have been a spare part A9X shell, just an SS or SLR shell. Conversely afaik most of the 1974-1976 Toranas raced were actually proper L34's.

 

I was under the impression (someone please correct if wrong) that by the late 70's the cars had full floating rear ends and didn't run the production rear axles. I think this was an ex race team mechanic who told me this in the 80's.



#65 Shiney005

Shiney005

    Oh My, Don't you post alot

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 8,993 posts
  • Name:Laurie
  • Location:Dubya Hay
  • Car:Toyota Mirai
  • Joined: 19-January 12
Garage View Garage

Posted 22 December 2014 - 12:03 PM

the L34 race engines were highly modified under Group C rules for racing, modified carbs, cam, rockers, exhaust,
If you look at the L34 road car you will see that there was very little consideration given to making it go fast on the road, standard cam, stock air cleaner and an exhaust system that breathed about as well as an elephant through a drinking straw.
ck1971.

You could address these problems with Holden's H.O. kit. Not factory fitted I know, but factory parts designed for the L34 and road legal in pre pollution era. Not legal with A9X smog motor.

Anyway, getting back on track. Seeing as the title of this thread doesn't mention "Factory", I am going to say how about the Recaro Mystere?

Edited by Shiney005, 22 December 2014 - 12:05 PM.


#66 Dr Terry

Dr Terry

    Technical + Numbers Guru + Moderator

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,267 posts
  • Location:Eastwood (Sydney) NSW
  • Joined: 13-November 05

Posted 22 December 2014 - 12:16 PM

I was under the impression (someone please correct if wrong) that by the late 70's the cars had full floating rear ends and didn't run the production rear axles. I think this was an ex race team mechanic who told me this in the 80's.

I believe that floaters etc. were only allowed in Group A in those days.. 

 

It's a common misconception that Group A regs were tighter than Group C. The engine regs were tighter, but suspension & many other parts were less regulated in Group A than Group C ever was.

 

If you have a look at a Group A C car, it had to run full interior trim (less carpet). You could fit a purpose built racing seat but full rear seats & headlining were compulsory & mods to suspension arms & steering etc. was very restricted. Group A was 'open slather' in these areas.

 

Dr Terry



#67 RallyRed

RallyRed

    Oh My, Don't you post alot

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,805 posts
  • Name:Col
  • Location:NSW
  • Car:LC GTR etc
  • Joined: 02-October 11

Posted 23 December 2014 - 11:18 AM

not a Torana for sure....but I wonder if these Holden offered / dealer  optioned utes were ever sold in more than single digits??

 

 

Attached Files



#68 StephenSLR

StephenSLR

    Oh My, Don't you post alot

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,707 posts
  • Name:Stephen
  • Location:Sydney
  • Car:1976 LX SL/R
  • Joined: 12-November 05

Posted 23 December 2014 - 11:34 AM

not a Torana for sure....but I wonder if these Holden offered / dealer  optioned utes were ever sold in more than single digits??

 

fastback%20holden%20ute.jpg

 

http://oldholden.com/node/22138

 

VickersXatal.jpg

 

7175149776_e00d107e16_z.jpg

 

XatalMag.jpg

 

s



#69 RallyRed

RallyRed

    Oh My, Don't you post alot

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,805 posts
  • Name:Col
  • Location:NSW
  • Car:LC GTR etc
  • Joined: 02-October 11

Posted 23 December 2014 - 04:10 PM

Yikes!!!..guess that nswers that.......wonder if they sold hundreds or thousands?



#70 StephenSLR

StephenSLR

    Oh My, Don't you post alot

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,707 posts
  • Name:Stephen
  • Location:Sydney
  • Car:1976 LX SL/R
  • Joined: 12-November 05

Posted 23 December 2014 - 07:00 PM

Not sure about hundreds, lol.

 

This one was spotted a couple of years back

 

PIC00223.jpg

 

.. and then there's this guy; tell 'im he's dreamin'

 

http://car-us.com/car/holden-ute/10941

 

s






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users