Body Codes

LJ TORANA in detail

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-CYL) ... 95.8 INCHES ... 2433 mm
WHEELBASE (4-CYL) ... 100 INCHES ... 2540 mm
TRACK (FRONT 4) ... 51 INCHES ... 1295 mm
TRACK (FRONT 6) ... 51.8 INCHES ... 1316 mm
TRACK (FRONT GTR) ... 52.2 INCHES ... 1326 mm
TRACK (REAR 4) ... 51 INCHES ... 1295 mm
TRACK (REAR 6) ... 50.8 INCHES ... 1290 mm
TRACK (REAR GTR) ... 51.2 INCHES ... 1300 mm
HEIGHT ... 53 INCHES ... 1346 mm
WIDTH ... 63 INCHES ... 1600 mm
LENGTH (4-CYL) ... 162 INCHES ... 4115 mm
LENGTH (6-CYL) ... 173 INCHES ... 4394 mm

PRODUCTION

DOMESTIC ... 70 176
EXPORT (WHOLE) ... 1 819
EXPORT (CKD) ... 9 818
TOTAL ... 81 813

ENGINE

COMP.
RATIO OUTPUT ENG.NO.
PREFIX
1200 8.5 56 BHP -
1200HP 9.0 69 BHP -
1300 8.5 62 BHP -
1600 OHC 8.5 80 BHP -
1760 OHC 7.3 80 BHP -
2250 LC 7.8 90 BHP CC
2250 HCI 9.2 95 BHP CB
2850 LC 8.3 108 BHP CD
3300 LC 7.8 129 BHP JM
3300 HC 8.3 135 BHP JL
3300 XU-1 10.25 190 BHP JP

TRANSMISSION

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 (AUST - FLOOR)
THREE SPEED AUTOMATIC (TRIMATIC F/C)

FINAL DRIVE

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)

MODELS AND RELEASE DATES - 1973

MODEL 2-DOOR 4-DOOR RELEASED AVAILABLE
UNTIL PRICE AT
RELEASE
TORANA 1200 LJ/82211 - 4 FEB 1972 TA - MAR 1974 $2180
TORANA 1300 DELUXE LJ/82411 LC/82469 4 FEB 1972 TA - MAR 1974 -
TORANA 1600 DELUXE LJ/82811 LC/82869 4 FEB 1972 1760 - OCT 1972 -
TORANA 1760 DELUXE LJ/82811 LC/82869 1 OCT 1972 TA - MAR 1974 -
TORANA S (6) LJ/82311 LC/82369 4 FEB 1972 LH - MAR 1974 -
TORANA SL (6) - LC/82569 4 FEB 1972 LH - MAR 1974 -
TORANA GTR LJ/82911 - 4 FEB 1972 LH - MAR 1974 $2920
TORANA GTR-XU1 LJ/82911
(XU1) - 4 FEB 1972 LH - MAR 1974 -

MODELS AND RELEASE DATES - 1973 +

MODEL 2-DOOR 4-DOOR RELEASED AVAILABLE
UNTIL PRICE AT
RELEASE
TORANA 1200 8E11 - 4 FEB 1972 TA - MAR 1974 $2180
TORANA 1300 DELUXE 8F11 8F69 4 FEB 1972 TA - MAR 1974 -
TORANA 1600 DELUXE 8F11 8F69 4 FEB 1972 1760 - OCT 1972 -
TORANA 1760 DELUXE 8F11 8F69 1 OCT 1972 TA - MAR 1974 -
TORANA S (6) 8B11 8B69 4 FEB 1972 LH - MAR 1974 -
TORANA SL (6) - 8C69 4 FEB 1972 LH - MAR 1974 -
TORANA GTR 8D11 - 4 FEB 1972 LH - MAR 1974 $2920
TORANA GTR-XU1 8D11 (XU1) - 4 FEB 1972 LH - MAR 1974 -

Source: www.ls1racer.com and www.gmh-torana.com