Torana LJ Series ....

February 1972 - March 1974 ....

February 1972 saw the facelift and refinement of the Torana with the release of the LJ series. Many features were brought into line with the larger HQ series, introduced in mid 1971.

The HQ derived steering column and steering wheel were fitted, along with adjustable head restraints and impact absorbing interior sun visors. Even the new recessed plastic grille (six-cylinder only) bore a family resemblance to the HQ. The rear of the car had a new modular three piece tail light assemblies. Other new items were the dash layout with relocated heater controls and an HQ style column mounted ignition / steering lock. The instruments remained basically as before (on the GTR, some minor gauge positions were swapped) and the radio was now mounted in the centre of the dash. Suspension springs and shocks were improved for a smoother ride and the seating was redesigned for better lateral support. All interior trim materials were also similar to those used in the HQ range.

The model lineup was the same as the late LC with four cylinder engines available in a two door Torana 1200 sedan and a two or four door Deluxe sedan, while the six cylinder cars appeared as the Torana S two or four door and the SL four door sedans. The two door GTR remained and the GTR XU-1 was now in regular production.

The engine choice was increased with the four cylinder units now available in 1200, 1300 (both OHV) and 1600 OHC varieties. The new 1300cc engine used in the Deluxe was offered with manual transmission only (1300 Deluxe autos actually used the old series 70 69bhp 1159cc unit). Late in 1972, the 1600 OHC was replaced by the 1760 OHC, a longer stroke version of the same Vauxhall slant four.

The six-cylinder 2250 remained, as did the 2850 from the LC. However, the twin barrel 2850 S was replaced by the 3300 for the GTR. While the 3300 (202ci) was lifted straight from the HQ Kingswood, with no performance goodies, it provided greater torque and flexability than the old series GTR engine. The GTR XU-1, however, now sported triple 175mm CD Stromberg sidedraught carburetors and further cam modifications, developing 190bhp, making it a very formidable beast. The four speed XU-1 gearbox was now the Australian four-speed transmission, type M21 (introduced in late LC and with different ratios from the HQ 308 M21).

By this time, the GTR XU-1 was acquitting itself very well on the race track and was undergoing constant development, with each facet of the car being improved as required for racing until the ultimate version was released in September 1972. It had stronger fine spline rear axels, tubular exhaust headers (extractors) and 13 x 6 Globe Sprintmaster alloy wheels. The XU-1 engine features a beefier block and pistons, a new head casting and a bigger cam, and boasted more than 200bhp (exact figures were not published). It easily won Bathurst in 1972 with Peter Brock at the wheel.

On the normal six-cylinder cars, the 3300 engine (previously exclusive to the GTR) was made optional on the S and SL models in early 1973, making even these vehicles very quick transport. The 2850 motor then became the standard six and the 2250 engine was dropped for local cars and used for export only. At the same time, the 56bhp 1200 engine was also discontinued, and the baseline four-cylinder model became the Torana 1300.

MINOR FEATURES

Rear side blinker repeaters now deleted.
Trimatic now featured electric kickdown.
GTR used HQ GTS steering wheel.
All other models used HQ Kingswood steering wheel.
1973 and 1974 models had orange front blinkers and parking lights integral with the headlights (same as late HQ).

DIMENSIONS

Imperial/Metric

Fuel tank - 8 gallons/30 litres.
Wheelbase (4-cylinder) - 95.8 inches/2433 mm.
Wheelbase (4-cylinder) - 100 inches/2540 mm.
Track (front, 4-cylinder) - 51 inches/1295 mm.
Track (front, six-cylinder) - 51.8 inches/1316 mm.
Track (front, GTR - 52.2 Iinches/1326 mm.
Track (Rear 4-cylinder) - 51 inches/1295 mm.
Track (rear, six-cylinder) - 50.8 inches/1290 mm.
Track (rear, GTR) - 51.2 Iinches/1300 mm.
Height - 53 inches/1346 mm.
Width - 63 inches/1600 mm.
Length (4-cylinder) - 162 inches/4115 mm.
Length (6-cylinder) - 173 inches/4394 mm.

PRODUCTION NUMBERS

Domestic - 70,176.
Export (whole) - 1,819.
Export (CKD) - 9,818.
Total - 81,813.

ENGINES

Engine	Compression	Output	Engine No
	Ratio	BHP	Prefix

1200cc	8.5:1	56	Nil
1200cc	9.0:1	69	Nil
1300cc OHC	8.5:1	62	Nil
1600cc OHC	8.5:1	80	Nil
1760cc OHC	7.3:1	80	Nil
2250cc LC	7.8:1	90	CC
2250cc HCI	9.2:1	95	CB
2850cc LC	8.3:1	108	CD
3300cc LC	7.8:1	129	JM
3300cc HC	8.3:1	135	JL
3300 XU-1	10.25:1	190	JP

TRANSMISSIONS

Four-Cylinder

Four-speed manual (floor).
Three-speed automatic (Trimatic/floor).

Six-Cylinder

Three-speed manual (column).
Three-speed manual (floor).
Four-speed manual (Opel - floor).
Four-speed manual (Australia - floor).
Three-speed automatic (Trimatic F/C).

Final Drives

Ratio - 3.98 (56 bhp and four-speed manual).
Ratio - 4.125 (56 bhp auto and other 4's).
Ratio - 3.08, 3.36, 3.55 (6-cylinder).