Holden Icon: Torana GTX and XU1

The Torana is an icon, and I doubt there is an Australian on the planet that does not have a story that somehow involves a Torana. From driving or riding in one to stories of friends or relatives who owned one, the little Torana has become an Australian legend.

The Torana evolved from the compact little four cylinder powered Vauxhall Viva and was originally designed as a four cylinder powered car, however when Holden realised the need for a mid sized family car it was not long before Holden lengthened the front end and shoe horned and six cylinder “Red Motor” into the engine bay.

The LC Torana became quite the performer with its new found power and Holden realised just how popular it was with young car enthusiasts. With that the LC GTR was born. Powered by a 161ci six cylinder engine fitted with a two barrel carburettor and an extractor type exhaust system, backed up by an Opel 4-speed gearbox the GTR was a popular budget priced muscle car.

As time went on it was not long before Holden and the great Harry Firth realised that the Torana had the potential to be a race winner with a few tweaks in the right places. Even though Holden could not match the 351ci GT Falcons for horsepower, they knew they could have it all over the big Ford in the handling and braking departments.

What Holden came up with was the LC Torana GTR XU-1 equipped with a warmed over 186ci six cylinder engine which included such items as a performance camshaft and triple 150CD Stromberg carburettors. Backing up the engine was an “Aussie” 4-speed gearbox and a limited slip diff which turned the two door Torana into something that performed like a scolded cat.

1971 saw the introduction of the LJ Torana which shared the same body shape as the previous LC model however it featured improvements such as a newly styled front end and tail light treatment along with a cleaner dash and greatly improved seats. With the LJ model came another sporty GTR model which now featured a larger 202ci engine and was still the perfect choice for those wanting a budget priced sporty two door coupe.

The real gem that every car nut wanted to see when the LJ Torana was released was the all new GTR XU-1 and Holden did not disappoint. Fitted with the larger 202ci engine Holden put more development into the LJ which included a higher lift camshaft and the triple Stromberg carburettors increased in size to 175CD units.

Yes sir, the GTR XU-1 became the car that every Holden fan wanted to own and the sound of the cammy little stove-hot six cylinder engine breathing through a twin outlet muffler was music to the ears of any car enthusiast. The GTR XU-1 enjoyed a lot of success both on and off the race track and today is still considered one of the greatest Aussie muscle cars of all time.

Fortunately there are still many pristine examples of the GTR and XU-1 Toranas around and with clubs such as the NSW GTR & XU-1 Owners Club they are sure to be preserved forever. These cars are not just dust collectors either with regular club runs where owners get a chance to take out their pride and joy and stretch their legs just like they were designed for.

Club president Craig Alderson is not afraid to drive his car like it was intended as it has done many laps of Goulburn’s Wakefield Park motor racing circuit and can cover the quarter mile in 13.5 seconds thanks to its triple 45mm Weber fed six cylinder engine.

Clay Kirk’s orange LC GTR (GTR-571) has had its original running gear set aside and is now fitted with a fuel injected 202ci engine and an M21 4-speed gearbox.

This rare Plum Dinger coloured LC XU-1 is owned by Frank Roemer and features a triple Dellorto fed Holden six with a 5-speed gearbox and Ford 9-Inch rear end.

Grant Jurd bought his Zodiac Blue LJ XU-1 as a project and has completely restored back to original condition.

Domenic Moretti has owned his Glacier White LJ XU-1 for an amazing 32 years and it is still in fantastic condition today wearing a set of very rare 13x8 inch and 13x9 inch Sprintmaster wheels.

Red was a common GTR and XU-1 colour however what was not so common was the Royal Purple hue that covers Brian Shearer’s LJ and the in your face Strike Me Pink on Bruce and Laura Colbey’s car.

With such a broad array of pristine cars you can imagine the attention the club generates whenever they attend an event. If you own a genuine GTR or XU-1 Torana and are looking to be a part of a club then contact the NSW GTR & XU-1 Owners Club and get involved!