Post by whcaprice on Sept 9, 2007 17:11:43 GMT 9.5
Holden Torana UC
Early 1978 saw the Torana LX being replaced with the softer UC. This was the last of the Torana family. The notorious news of the day was the lack of V8 and sports orientated models.
The major changes to the UC were done on the front panel styling, new grille, rectangular headlights, tail lights and the interior. The RTS received further refinement, and the power to weight ratio as increased through the lightening of the chassis. This was achieved as additional strength was no longer required with the downfall of the V8.
The 6 cylinder range consisted of the S sedan, the SL sedan, and the SL hatchback. Both SLs came optional with the Deluxe version. This included a tinted side and rear glass, tinted band laminated windscreen, AM radio / cassette tape player, cloth seat inserts, full instrument cluster, intermittent windscreen wiper controls, and both front and rear bumpers.
The option of four wheel disc brakes was included. They were similar in design to the A9X model, but were smaller in order to fit the 13 inch road wheels. Other changes included improved rectangular headlights and a larger fuel tank. This achieved a more aerodynamic design. The interior improvements included upgraded seating with an increase in leg room, a modernised dash, and a multi function column stalk switch for wipers, headlights, and blinkers. A new floor mounted handbrake was fitted to the central interior between the driver and passenger seats; although in the 6 cylinder bench seat version the pedal operated park brake located under the dash was retained as per the LH and LX models.
The new 10 bolt small Salisbury differential replaced the old banjo type in the UC models, and this was the debut of this type of differential. It meant that a new rear floor panel pressing was required to allow the repositioning of the upper trailing arms.
A new dash outlay had the heater and demister and optional air conditioner controls above the air outlets in the centre console. All models were upgraded to include a temperature gauge. Optional instrument clusters were available which included fuel gauge, temperature gauge, volt gauge, oil gauge, speedo, tacho and a clock as well.
Standard on all models was a four speed manual transmission. The Torana S 6 cylinder, however, came with a three speed column shifted manual gearbox. Some minor features of the UC include a solidly mounted steering rack, velour seat trim on the SL/Es, white parking lights separate from the headlights and mounted with orange front blinkers, steel wheels with steel belted radial, HZ type steering wheels, and air conditioning now optional across the whole Torana family.
The Sunbird branded 4 cylinder range initially continued using the Opel 1900 engine; however it was replaced by the criticised Starfire Four engine. This engine was a normal 2.85 litre (173ci) engine with two cylinders removed. The engine featured a Varajet crabby with a redesigned crankshaft, but it lost 12kw in power.
Interestingly, there were design ideas for a five door hatchback UC version; however it never got past clay modelling in production.
The UC series began to be phased out in 1979. The market gap this created was filled by the various versions of the exciting Commodore. The Sunbird production continued into 1980 with the 1.9L Starfire, and there was discussion on extending the production life beyond that time with yet another upgraded model, but this never occurred. The Sunbird was replaced by the 1982 JB Camira.
All up, the production of the UC Torana reached the number of 53,007. The lack of a V8 option and the softer focus of the UC saw Holden enthusiasts abandoning the Torana and turning instead to the vigorous Commodore. It is highly unfortunate that the Torana family finishes with this model, and simply highlights the importance of the champion car in a brand’s current line up. Long live the Torana LX
Early 1978 saw the Torana LX being replaced with the softer UC. This was the last of the Torana family. The notorious news of the day was the lack of V8 and sports orientated models.
The major changes to the UC were done on the front panel styling, new grille, rectangular headlights, tail lights and the interior. The RTS received further refinement, and the power to weight ratio as increased through the lightening of the chassis. This was achieved as additional strength was no longer required with the downfall of the V8.
The 6 cylinder range consisted of the S sedan, the SL sedan, and the SL hatchback. Both SLs came optional with the Deluxe version. This included a tinted side and rear glass, tinted band laminated windscreen, AM radio / cassette tape player, cloth seat inserts, full instrument cluster, intermittent windscreen wiper controls, and both front and rear bumpers.
The option of four wheel disc brakes was included. They were similar in design to the A9X model, but were smaller in order to fit the 13 inch road wheels. Other changes included improved rectangular headlights and a larger fuel tank. This achieved a more aerodynamic design. The interior improvements included upgraded seating with an increase in leg room, a modernised dash, and a multi function column stalk switch for wipers, headlights, and blinkers. A new floor mounted handbrake was fitted to the central interior between the driver and passenger seats; although in the 6 cylinder bench seat version the pedal operated park brake located under the dash was retained as per the LH and LX models.
The new 10 bolt small Salisbury differential replaced the old banjo type in the UC models, and this was the debut of this type of differential. It meant that a new rear floor panel pressing was required to allow the repositioning of the upper trailing arms.
A new dash outlay had the heater and demister and optional air conditioner controls above the air outlets in the centre console. All models were upgraded to include a temperature gauge. Optional instrument clusters were available which included fuel gauge, temperature gauge, volt gauge, oil gauge, speedo, tacho and a clock as well.
Standard on all models was a four speed manual transmission. The Torana S 6 cylinder, however, came with a three speed column shifted manual gearbox. Some minor features of the UC include a solidly mounted steering rack, velour seat trim on the SL/Es, white parking lights separate from the headlights and mounted with orange front blinkers, steel wheels with steel belted radial, HZ type steering wheels, and air conditioning now optional across the whole Torana family.
The Sunbird branded 4 cylinder range initially continued using the Opel 1900 engine; however it was replaced by the criticised Starfire Four engine. This engine was a normal 2.85 litre (173ci) engine with two cylinders removed. The engine featured a Varajet crabby with a redesigned crankshaft, but it lost 12kw in power.
Interestingly, there were design ideas for a five door hatchback UC version; however it never got past clay modelling in production.
The UC series began to be phased out in 1979. The market gap this created was filled by the various versions of the exciting Commodore. The Sunbird production continued into 1980 with the 1.9L Starfire, and there was discussion on extending the production life beyond that time with yet another upgraded model, but this never occurred. The Sunbird was replaced by the 1982 JB Camira.
All up, the production of the UC Torana reached the number of 53,007. The lack of a V8 option and the softer focus of the UC saw Holden enthusiasts abandoning the Torana and turning instead to the vigorous Commodore. It is highly unfortunate that the Torana family finishes with this model, and simply highlights the importance of the champion car in a brand’s current line up. Long live the Torana LX