LX Torana
The mildly facelifted LX series arrived February 1976, and was shortly thereafter subjected to adverse engine modifications in order to comply with new mid-year emission regulations (ADR 27A). Engines were again offered in four, six and eight-cylinder configurations, and a two-door hatchback body was introduced as an alternative to the four-door sedan. The 1,897 cc Opel unit was not offered in the Torana hatchbacks. In November 1976 the Torana 1900 was relaunched as the Holden Sunbird. [1] The introduction of Sunbird also coincided with the first attempt by Holden to add a handling package to its range of cars. The introduction of 'radial-tuned suspension' (aka RTS) began with the LX Sunbird sedan and hatchback and then the LX Torana. 1976 LX Torana SL/R 5000During 1977, the LX series also saw the development of another limited build high-performance option aimed at winning the annual Bathurst touring car race. This was the 'A9X Option' that became available on the four door SL/R 5000 and two-door SS hatchback in 5.0 litre V8 form. The A9X cars visually resembled the 'L34 Option' of the LH series, but with the addition of a rear-ward facing bonnet scoop that was specially designed to force air into the engine to produce maximum power in racing conditions. The A9X package varied from the old L34 in road form in that whilst the engine was not modified, the A9X nevertheless had some special mechanical features such as rear disc brakes, heavy duty axles and a heavy duty '10 bolt' differential. After being rushed into racing service, the untried Torana A9X ultimately lost its debut Bathurst race in 1977 to the Ford Falcons of Allan Moffat and Colin Bond. However, the A9X package was soon refined and proved unbeatable during the following two seasons of touring car racing in Australia, claiming both the 1978 and 1979 Australian Touring Car Championship titles and the Bathurst 1000 km races of both years. Overall a total of 65,977 LX Toranas were produced by Holden.
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