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LC Specifications
October 1969 saw GM-H's move into the small/medium sector of the market with the introduction of the LC Torana. The LC concept was that of a small/medium car powered by the traditional Australian six-cylinder engine and drive train. This was achieved by using the basic HB Torana floor plan, extending the front wheels forward for more under bonnet space and designing an all new outer body. All cars (four and six-cylinder) came with front bucket seats standards and a rear seat with a much higher squab than the HB, giving a more luxurious feel to the interior. The dash and controls were carried over from the HB (Series II).

The engine and drive train for the six-cylinder cars were borrowed from the big brother HT range, giving the light weight Torana an excellent power to weight ratio. Front and rear suspension were basically HB, strengthened and uprated.

In reality, the LC series comprised two different versions in the one model range. These included the longer wheel base six-cylinder range described above and a shorter four-cylinder variant. The four-cylinder model was mechanically identical to the earlier HB series, using its front sheet metal mated to the new LC body from the windscreen rearwards and retaining the HB's wheel base. The four-cylinder ranges started with a standard two door sedan through a two or four door S to a two door SL. The six-cylinder cars started with a two or four door S, through a four door SL to the two door GTR.

With Holden's successful Monaro GTS catering for the full size sporty market, GM-H gave the smaller sector a big shake up with the release of the Torana GTR. This little ripper came with a 2600 S (161 S) engine, a four speed Opel manual transmission, power front disc brakes, a front stabilizer bar, sports suspension and full instrumentation. It was dressed in a choice of bright colours. Front guard flutes, rally stripes and wide sports wheels with matching tyres completed the sporty look.

The 2600 S engine was a slightly smaller version of the HT's 186 S, complete with two barrel carburettor, twin cast iron exhaust headers, mild profile camshaft and performance valve springs and bearings. The instruments fitted to the GTR were similar to those introduced on the HB Series 2 Brabham Torana.

Late in 1970, GM-H surprised everybody with the release of the XU-1 option for the GTR, creating the GTR XU-1. This little rocket ship was created by Harry Firth in the Holden Dealer Team workshop to take over racing duties from the Monaro GTS 350.

Firth's idea was, rather then go head to head with Ford's Falcon GT HO on a power race, it would be smarter to use a smaller, more nimble package (which would be easier on tyres, brakes and fuel) with a power to weight ratio similar to the Ford's. The XU-1 was built and homologated purely for series production racing, with Bathurst the main target. Improvements over the normal GTR included a 3048cc (186ci) engine with triple 150mm CD Stromberg side draught carburetors, tuned length inlet manifold, sports air cleaners, revised cylinder head with larger valves and a high lift camshaft. The result was a healthy 160bhp. Also fitted were a two inch exhaust system, thicker disc brakes, limited slip differential, larger fuel tank, front air dam and rear boot lid spoiler. Badging utilized bold GTR XU-1 decals on both front guards and on the boot spoiler (RH side).

Also introduced on the LC was the Trimatic automatic transmission. This was GM-H's own three speed unit and was made available on the Series 70 four cylinder (floor shift only) and on all six-cylinder cars, except the GTR, with either floor or column shift. The four speed manual on the four-cylinder cars carried over from the HB, while the three speed all synchromesh column shift and four speed Opel floor shift came straight from the HT.

The LC four-cylinder engine range was limited to the 56bhp and 69bhp (Series 70) versions of the 1159cc (71ci) Vauxhall four-cylinder (the Brabham option was no longer offered). The regular issue six-cylinder engines were the new small bore 2250 (138ci) unit and the optional 2600 (161ci) power plant.

The four-cylinder range was enhanced in June 1971 with the release of a 1600cc OHC engine. The 1600 was a slant four, similar to the two litre unit in the Bedford CF van, and was sourced from Vauxhall UK. With 80bhp and 96ft/lb of torque, it was a lot more lively then the smaller 1159cc OHV unit.

With the introduction of the 1600 OHC engine, the four-cylinder model lineup was revised. The S and SL name plates were dropped, the base model was renamed the Torana 1200 and the S model became known as the Deluxe (the new 1600 engine was optional only on the Deluxe). The Torana SL four-cylinder two door (82611) has the distinction of being the first ever Holden model to be discontinued during a series production run, with the 82411 and 82469 model codes continuing on as the Deluxe two and four door (with the OHV motor). The four speed manual gearbox introduced for the 1600 OHC was a beefier unit with a lift-up reverse lockout ring on the gearshift lever.

A rare option on S and SL six-cylinder cars was that of a front bench seat with a hand brake mounted under the centre of the dash.

In July 1971, the six-cylinder engines were upgraded to HQ specifications with a revised head design. While the 2250 (138ci) engine size remained, the new 2850 (173ci) engine replaced the old 2600 (161ci) unit and the 2850 S (173 S) was fitted to the GTR in place of the 2600 S (161 S). In addition, the HQ's new Australian four speed manual gearbox was used in lieu of the old Opel unit on RHD cars (LHD continued with the Opel).

MINOR FEATURES
  • All engine size identification in metric units.
  • Rear side blinker repeaters fitted to all models.
  • Four-cylinder cars used 12 x 4 wheels with a four stud pattern.
  • Six-cylinders used 13 x 4.5 wheels (except GTR), 13 x 5.5 standard on GTR and optional on all other models, with a 4.5 inch five stud pattern.
  • GTR instrumentation optional on all models.
  • GTR steering wheel same as HT and HG Monaro GTS.
  • GTR differential 3.08 (3.36 optional).
  • GTR XU-1 differential 3.36 (3.08 optional).
  • Six-cylinder automatics differential 2.78 (3.08 optional).
  • Alternator now fitted to four-cylinder engines (HB had generator).
  • Base model same trim as HT Belmont.
  • S model same trim as HT Premier.
  • GTR model same trim as HT Monaro GTS including Houndstooth cloth option.
  • All grills made from pressed anodized aluminum.
  • Rack and pinion steering in all models.
  • Banjo-type differential centre same as six-cylinder HT.
  • LC also available in left hand drive (export).
DIMENSIONS
  • Fuel Tank: 8 Gallons (30 Litres).
  • Wheelbase: (Four-Cyl) 95.8 Inches (2433mm).
  • Wheelbase: (Four-Cyl) 100 Inches (2540mm).
  • Track: (Front/ Four) 51 Inches (1295mm).
  • Track: (Front/Six) 51.8 Inches (1316mm).
  • Track: (Front/GTR) 52.2 Inches (1326mm).
  • Track: (Rear/Four) 51 Inches (1295mm).
  • Track: (Rear/Six) 50.8 Inches (1290mm).
  • Track: (Rear/GTR) 51.2 Inches (1300mm).
  • Height: 53 Inches (1346mm).
  • Width: 63 Inches (1600mm).
  • Length: (Four-Cyl) 162 Inches (4115mm).
  • Length: (Six-Cyl) 173 Inches (4394).
PRODUCTION
  • Domestic: 71,277
  • Export (whole): 2,918
  • Export (CKD): 432
  • TOTAL ... 74,627
ENGINE/COMPRESSION RATIO/HP/ENGINE NUMBER PREFIX
  • 1200, 8.5, 56 bhp.
  • 1200S, 70, 9.0, 69 bhp.
  • 1600 OHC, 8.5, 80 bhp.
  • 130 CI, 8.8, 90 bhp, 130T or CA.
  • 138 LO, 7.8, 95 bhp, 2250L or CC.
  • 138 HI, 9.2, 95 bhp, 2250H or CB.
  • 161 LO, 8.2, 108 bhp, 2600L.
  • 161 HI, 9.2, 114 bhp, 2600H.
  • 161 S, 9.2, 125 bhp, 2600S.
  • 173 LO, 8.3, 112 bhp, CE.
  • 173 HI, 9.4, 118 bhp, CD.
  • 173 S, 9.4, 130 bhp, CF.
  • 186 XU-1, 10.0, 160 bhp, CK.
TRANSMISSION
  • Four-Cylinder:
    • Four-Speed Manual (Floor).
    • Three-Speed Automatic (Trimatic Floor).
  • Six-Cylinder:
    • Three-Speed Manual (Column).
    • Three-Speed Manual (Floor).
    • Four-Speed Manuel (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 4s).
  • Ratio: 3.08, 3.36, 3.55 (Six-Cylinder).
MODELS, RELEASE DATES and SELLING PRICE
  • Four-Cylinder LC/82211, 28 Oct 1969; LJ, JAN 1972.
  • S Four-Cylinder LC/82411, LC/82469, 28 Oct 1969 - Deluxe,Jul 1971, $1980.
  • 1300 Deluxe LC/82411, LC/82469, 06 Jul 1971; LJ Jan 1972.
  • 1600 Deluxe LC/82411, LC/82869, 06 Jul 1971; LJJan 1972.
  • SL Four-Cylinder LC/82611, 28 Oct 1969; Deluxe,Jul 1971.
  • S Six-Cylinder LC/82311, LC/82369, 28 Oct 1969; LJJan 1972.
  • SL Six Cylinder LC/82569 28 Oct 1969; LJJan 1972.
  • GTR LC/82911,28 Oct 1969; LJJan 1972 $2840.
  • GTR XU-1 LC/82911.
  • GTR XU-1, AUG 1970; LJ Jan 1972 $3150.

Date of Production: October 1969 to February 1972.
Total Number Built: 74,627
Engines Available: 1200cc four-cylinder (two versions).
1600cc four-cylinder w/OHC.
2100cc (130ci) six-cylinder (export models only).
2250cc (138ci), 2600cc (161ci) & 2850cc (173ci) six-cylinder.
3050cc (186ci) six-cylinder (in GTR XU-1 only).
Transmissions Available: Four-speed floor manual.
Three-speed column and floor manual.
Three-speed GM automatic (Tri-Matic).
Body Styles: GTR's - Two-Door only.
Other models - two or four-door.


BODY CODES
MODEL CODE BODY ENGINE
  82211 Two-Door Four
S 82411 Two-Door Four
Deluxe 82411 Two-Door Four
S 82469 Four-Door Four
Deluxe 82469 Four-Door Four
SL 82611 Two-Door Four
Deluxe 82811 Two-Door Four
Deluxe 82869 Four-Door Four
S 82311 Two-Door Six
S 82369 Four-Door Six
SL 82569 Four-Door Six
GTR 82911 Two-Door Six
XU-1 82911 Two-Door Six