The Holden TA Torana

The Holden TA Torana was the third vehicle in a line of three during the second generation of Holden Torana’s released in February of 1974 in Australia only.  The TA Torana was a short lived vehicle only produced for 11 months because of the world release of the GM T-car.  Production totals around 11,300 vehicles in the Australia market.

However, the TA Torana did boast some nice features offering both a 2-dour and 4-door option.  The TA incorporated a four-cylinder engine option with either a 1.3 litre or 1.8 litre powertrain.  The 2-door and 4-door both had plastic front grilles with revamped rear lights.

The TA Torana had only two models: the TA Torana and TA Torana Deluxe.  The Torana was the base model with the 2-door option only and the Torana Deluxe was the upgrade with either the 2-door or 4-door option.  The standard powertrain engine offered in both the Torana and Torana Deluxe is the 1.3 litre engine (1300cc); however, the Torana Deluxe has the option to be upgraded to a 1.8 litre engine (1760cc).  The Deluxe also had the Trimatic auto available as an option either engine option.

The Torana Deluxe was fully equipped with carpet, a radio with push buttons, bucket seats with trim, chrome wheels and other features that made the Deluxe the car to buy.

1974 TA Torana

One difference in this Holden vehicle is that it was it did include the new one piece body colour that newer Holden vehicles would feature and it incorporated the body colour grille.  The tail lights incorporated a nice silver finish that made them standout and were a new nice touch on the new Holden vehicles.  Holden definite tired some of the new touches on this vehicle as it was preparing for its new Gemini vehicle.

Again, the Torana TA was not produced long and was replaced within a year with the TX Gemini by March of 1975, however it still has its place in Torana historyMINOR FEATURES

  • Internal, cable operated bonnet release now standard.
  • Body side mouldings on Deluxe had PVC inserts (similar to HJ).
  • 1300cc engine improved over LJ, also compression ratio increased.
  • All variants had 10-gallon (45.5 litre) fuel tank.
  • Alternator fitted was same as in six cylinder LJ.

DIMENSIONS

      IMPERIAL   METRIC
FUEL TANK 10 GALLONS 30 LITRES
WHEELBASE 95.8 INCHES 2433 mm
TRACK (FRONT) 51 INCHES 1295 mm
TRACK (REAR) 51 INCHES 1295 mm
HEIGHT 53 INCHES 1382 mm
WIDTH 63 INCHES 1600 mm
LENGTH 162 INCHES 4095 mm

PRODUCTION

DOMESTIC 9 275
EXPORT (WHOLE) 13
EXPORT (CKD) 2 016
TOTAL 11 304

ENGINE

COMP. RATIO OUTPUT ENG.NO. PREFIX
1300 LC 7.8 41 BHP 1
1300 HC 9.2 46 BHP 1
1760 7.3 59 BHP 3

TRANSMISSION

FOUR SPEED MANUAL (FLOOR)
THREE SPEED AUTOMATIC (TRIMATIC FLOOR)

FINAL DRIVE

RATIO – 3.89 (1760 AUTO)
RATIO – 4.125 (ALL OTHERS)

MODELS AND RELEASE DATES

MODEL 2-DOOR 4-DOOR RELEASED AVAILABLE
UNTIL
PRICE AT
RELEASE
TORANA 1300 8E11 4 MAR 1974 TX – MAR 1975 $2580
TORANA DELUXE 8F11 8F69 4 MAR 1974 TX – MAR 1975 $2980
(4-DOOR)