29 replies to this topic

[Ruts]

Hi, I know this has been asked in the past but can anyone tell me how to tell the difference between an LH and LX body shell.

Ruts

[TerrA LX]

can anyone tell me how to tell the difference between an LH and LX body shell.

Chassis number.

[Ruts]

Yeah I know the chassis number staes what model it is but I'm trying to find out the physical differences. Is there eny extra brackets holes or whatevers????

[ollie]

The mounts for the rear seatbelts, I think the LH mounts to the parcel shelf and the LX to the C pillar (early LX apparently mount to the parcel shelf)

Thats weird cos my LH SL has the seat belts mounted on the C pillar, must be a previous owner nonfactory modification.
There are also holes for the rear tail light trim and the lx shell had a different coating that apparently doesn't rust as easy. Also my shell is an early LH and it has a fair bit of lead fill.

[enderwigginau]

Seat belts the other way around.
My sept76 has them on the parcel shelf.

Have seen a couple of LXs with retractabe rear, using both the C pillar and back deck.

Grant..

[Statler]

I think the early LH didn't have side intrusion bars in the doors.

Note: "I think".

[enderwigginau]

mid-to-late LX and UC have intrusion bars.
No LH will have them. But it's easy to change doors.

Grant..

[Toranavista]

The differences carry on through the LH/LX range depending on the build date. Early LH (1974) and early LX (-Mar 76) both have features unique to their respective models. It is easier looking at a car of a particular date for clues to repairs etc than trying to make a LH look like a LX or visa versa.

[TerrA LX]

Sway bar mounts

[Neils LX]

Hi
LH doors when you lock them and close them you have to hold the handle up, LX ones you don have to hold the handle up.
Chears Neil

[Heath]

Pat, I thought only the electric aerials were located in that rear quarter.

[Dr Terry]

Hi Guys.

Toranavista has got it in one, many changes were made mid-model & not necessarily exactly on the LX intro date.

One of the earliest changes would have been in mid-74 when the taller centre console was introduced, so the bracket that is factory welded between the front seats would have changed to suit the newer console. The bracket for the carbon canister is mounted to the inner guard would have not been there in most 1974 production cars.

There were many changes made for ADRs like the side intrusion bars for CLX in early '77. The rear seatbelts is another one, LH & early LX bolt to the C-pillar whereas the later LX bolt to the rear shelf. The brake upgrade with the large master cyl, alloy calipers & a 2-pin pressure switch also for CLX. Also the black 'one eared' ignition barrel for DLX etc.

The electric aerial is an interesting one, because no Torana had it as standard equipment. Most, if not all, genuine electric aerials would have been fitted by the dealers. The LH type fits to the left-hand rear guard, in similar style to HQ/HJ etc., but when the LX hatch was released they had to re-design the aerial so as it could be fitted to the front guard. AFAIK there isn't enough room on the hatchback's rear guard to mount it. So in the LX series 4-door sedans could have had either type fitted, but the hatch had to have it on the front guard.

Dr Terry

[arrimar]

I have first month 75 LH with dealer fitted electric aerial to passenger front guard.

Add fuel tank breather piping in the wheel arches to the early LH list.

Edited by arrimar, 24 August 2008 - 05:00 PM.

[SWOOP74]

APART FROM THE ADD ONS,THE TWO SHELLS ARE DIFFERENT,
IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.

[Heath]

I thought your SL was an LX

Cheers Terry, that sounds like a very realistic theory.

[GML-31]

you can list as many differences as you think, but will find dependant on where they were built will make a huge difference to what they used as well... People have to remember back then they used what they had to get the cars built, quality control standardisation isnt what it is today.

[TUF 308]

Can anyone get pics of the sheet metal differences in the boot area so i know what to look for?

Cheers

[Dr Terry]

gday dr terry, my 22/7/74 built l34 was fitted with a electric rear aerial. on the right side, it was a internal promotional car and was fitted with sound system and aerial by the styling department, not a dealer. i dont think you can put it on the left side without modifications, i also didnt think electric aerials fitted in front of guards of toranas either. my hj gts4 was also ordered with a rear aerial, and it was on the right side, its a 11/75 build.

I've seen electric aerials mounted on either rear guard of both HQ/HZ & Torana models. These aerials were the same as the universal Harada brand which was commonplace in the 70s & 80s & could be mounted anywhere within reason, space permitting of course. However, the original Holden accessory fitting instructions specified & gave dimensions for the left-hand guard only. Many owners preferred the right guard, because it was further from the footpath. It was common for vandals walking along the footpath to just reach out a bend anything within reach. Less of a problem with an electric aerial being fully retracted, but owners still preferred that location.

Dr Terry.