1974 Holden LH Torana 'S' Sedan

Description

A significant car for Holden on a number of levels, the LH Torana was the first Australian designed and built mid-sized sedan, closer in size to the new HQ than the original, noticeably smaller LC/LJ Toranas and better suited the local conditions as a result. The new LH also took on and ultimately defeated Ford at Bathurst. Well received by the critics and Australian public alike when launched in March 1974, the new Torana was available with an extensive choice of engine, transmission and trim levels and featured clean, unadorned styling developed under the direction of Phil Zmood's team. Underscoring the versatility of the new model, the LH could be specified with a four, six or eight cylinder engine under the bonnet, with prices ranging from $3,105 for the 1.9-litre four to $4,415 for the SL/R high performance derivative. The high prices were a talking point at the time of the LH's launch, with the base 2.8-litre six actually more expensive than the equivalent HQ Belmont but the buying public weren't deterred and the car was certainly a success on a commercial level, with more than 70,000 sold in just three years. Although conventional in engineering terms, the LH Torana was a competent performer on the road thanks to rack-and-pinion steering, front disc brakes (standard on the SL and SL/R models) and coil sprung suspension all round. Safety played a part in the design too, with the large 55-litre fuel tank relocated outside the body and an energy-absorbing steering column. Three trim levels were offered, starting with the base-level S, the intermediate SL and sporting SL/R. The SL/R package provided the foundation of the fearsome L34 homologation specials that dominated touring car racing in the mid-1970s, with the likes of Peter Brock and Colin Bond at the wheel. While the SL/R models stole much of the limelight, the vast majority of LH Toranas to hit the roads in the mid-1970s were the more prosaic S and SL models but ironically, these are becoming increasingly hard to find, with a much lower survival rate.