1974 Holden Torana TA 1.3 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Tough stuff

Faults:

I punctured the carby rubber trying to tune it.

Distributor made the car jerky; replaced.

Brake master cylinder replaced as pedal sank to the floor.

Rust hole in front inner wing; lump of glassfibre fixed that!

General Comments:

This was the interim TA model, bridging the gap between the small engined 'slope-backs' & the Gemini which was yet to be released.

It had a very sturdy body that would cope with anything. Sturdy build as well. But the performance was lousy until you got it up to a cruising speed, after which it would cruise on 100km/h all day.

The gear lever was so short that changing gear made me look like I was searching for something in the passenger foot well. I chose routes that called for minimal changes as my shoulder would hurt!

Maintenance was cheap & mine was one of the best early Torana's on the road. Alas, I didn't appreciate it that much & after getting a company van to drive, I left it to rot until it was noticed with a flat tyre & a defect notice slapped on it by the council. It was towed away & scrapped.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th March, 2006

1974 Holden Torana LH 186 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Hoon Machine

Faults:

Rack and Pinion worn out.

Original 202 motor developed a big end knock.

General Comments:

We found the car stolen and dumped out in the bush with a reasonable amount of damage.

We paid $400 at auction for it and have spent around $6000 on a full restoration.

We decided to go for the 1970 hotted up look, it is Mandarin Red lowered with chrome wheels. Badges and trims removed for a clean look and tail lights blacked out.

The 186 motor is out of a Sportsman 500 speedway car and runs triple 2 inch SU carburetors,12 port head with roller rockers, extractors, huge cam with straight cut timing gears and much internal balancing.

Gearbox is a Australian 4 speed.

It is a quick and agile steering car that lends itself well to running amok and smoking the rear tyres.

The way too loud twin exhaust and very rough idle of this car is a soothing balm to our 40+ year old bones.

Sorry officer my foot slipped off the clutch (Wife).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th August, 2003

1974 Holden Torana LH 253 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

This is how cars were meant to be made

Faults:

The battery has gone flat a few times. This is easily fixed. I assume the stereo chewed away at the battery life. Nothing else is really wrong with the car, the carburettor needs to be re-gasketed. Because it's such an old car I didn't expect mint condition when I bought it, the dash is beginning to crack and the insides of the door have seen better days.

General Comments:

I love to drive this car. The twin exhaust and the 253 make the motor sound like it's purring. It's got a body kit and flares. So my car is a head turner. It's been painted in metallic two-tone paint.

However with such fat tires on both the front and back (245's) and no power steering, it sometimes is a bugger to do small maneuvers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th June, 2003

1974 Holden Torana LH SLR 5000 308 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Aussie Classic at a cheapish price

Faults:

Steering linkages have become quite worn over time and need replacing. Also replaced water pump and reconditioned the radiator due to overheating. One done the car now runs fine. Due to age of the vehicle the car suffers from some wind noise through seal etc particularly around the dash.

General Comments:

Very comfortable and reliable car to drive. Handling is not the best, but it looks the goods. Bit of an Aussie Classic.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th April, 2003

1974 Holden Torana LH SL Original 2850 (2.9) from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Built Holden Tough, that's exactly what they are - tough, powerful but primitive

Faults:

Blown head gasket.

That's all.

General Comments:

They built the old Holdens so well back then and they are very sturdy and tough, and I feel safe in it if I were to have a crash.

It still has the original 26 year old engine in it and it still went quite well, good enough for my first car, if you're looking for a fair bit of power I suggest you go for the 3300 (3.3), but the 2850 still has enough power.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th September, 2001

4th Aug 2006, 20:33

I agree! I have a LH SL 3300 (202) and it is a tough car. Such a simple car. You can get your head right inside the engine bay. There is nothing you can't get too. Only need about 6 different spanner sizes to pull the car completely apart. Yet in an accident you know you will be the one driving home.

My 202 has nearly 200 000km's on it and it looks and sounds brand new. I check its timing by myself with a timing light... takes about 7 minutes to do. Costs about $70 at a workshop. Replaced my head gasket in about 20 minutes. Replaced my water pump and drilled in a water temp gauge, and fixed my over heating problem with flying colours. Relatively easy to find parts for.

Fuel is the cars only week side. I'm not sure about the 2850, but the 3300 does pull through a bit of fuel. With the mixture screw in a well balanced position. Although I'm sure many cars use much more than these little beasts.

A beautiful Australian classic.

31st Mar 2016, 19:29

Head gasket in 20 minutes!!! Ha ha.