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LX Torana : Though the LX released in February l976, appears very similar in looks to the LH it has quite a few changes under the skin. The biggest news was the option of a three door hatchback body. The three door has a ridiculously small load area. Even with the rear seat back rest folded down, the carrying capacity was very limited. An interesting option for the hatch was a kind of a tent to make for more luxurious parking with the girlfriend... The LX was sold as a low cost Torana S, only in sedan form, and the cheapest hatch was the SL. The sporty version of the sedan was still named the SL/R, but the sports hatch was tagged SS, a title which continues to the present today with the quick Commodore variants. The SL/R 5000 came with huge lettering on the rear of the wing proclaiming just that, SL/R 5000. The message was repeated on the doors, though many buyers opted to only go for the wing decals.
The L34 option package was not sold in the LX series cars. lnstead, from September l977, a package coded A9X was added to both the SL/R 5000 sedans and 5 litre SS hatches. Obviously aimed at Bathurst, option A9X which is probably the most desired of all HoIden performance packages consisted of wheel arch flares similar to those of the L34, a huge bonnet scoop, a warmed over engine to L31 specs ( leaving a lot of scope for additional improvements without contravening touring car regs) heavy duty radiator with electric fan, and the M2l gearbox ( some had a Borg Warner Super T10 ). Probably the most interesting change was the fitment of a super strong l0 bolt Salisbury diff often called the large Salisbury. ln deed, so large was the diff that a different rear floor pan pressing had to be installed under the A9X to make room for it. That pan is used on all UC series Toranas, making them popular for conversions to street cars.
Rear disc brakes came as part of the package with the large Salisbury. This should clear a few things up for some people, Torana four cylinder sedans were renamed " Sunbird " (The main difference between a Torana and a Sunbird is the four cylinder engine ) late in 1976 in an attempt to differentiate it from the rest of the range ( the Sunbird hatch didn't arrive until a few months later ). The most significant feature of the Sunbird was the heavily revised suspension which was given the tag of radial tuned suspension (RTS). These cars cornered in a fashion never before seen on Aussie family machines. Having inserted a toe gently into the water with RTS on the Sunbird, Holden realised that the public liked what it felt with the improved handling and added the system to the rest of the range a few months later. In fact, RTS was installed across the complete Holden passenger car range over the next year or so. There's little doubt in the minds of enthusiasts that the last of the LX V8s with their radial tuned suspension, tough Salisbury diff and four wheel discs are the pick of the ex factory Toranas.
Holden vehicle serial number: stamped on the righthand frame side member.
MODEL CODE BODY ENGINE
Notes: Torana released February 1976. Sunbird sedan released November 1976 with RTS. RTS fitted to Torana from May 1977. Sunbird hatch released May 1977.
Transmissions: Three speed manual column shift, four speed manual floor
shift; four speed manual Borg Warner Super T10 optional on A9X, three speed
automatic, column or floor change.