The introduction of the LH Torana would kickstart the third Generation of Australian Holden Torana’s. The LH debuted in March of 1974, replacing the outgoing LJ Torana, the top selling Torana at this point.
When compared to the previous model LJ, the LH represented a larger, lower and flatter styled car. It represented a complete make over with zero body panels carried over from the previous model.
It had more interior space, arguably enough for a family of 4, however no wagon model featured. Holden built prototypes for an LH Torana wagon and a hatch, however it would never see mass production.
The LH would only be available as a 4 door sedan.
The LH would be available with a 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder and an 8 cylinder engine. It would be the first Holden to offer a 4,6 or and 8 cylinder engine in the same car. It would also be one of the very few cars in the world to offer this. Automatic and manual transmissions would also be available.
The LH spent about 23 months on the production line. The LX Torana replaced the LH in February 1976.
The main reason for the upgrade from the LH to the LX? Changes in government regulations regarding exhaust emmissions made the LH engine line up non compliant. If not for this change, many beleive that the LH would have gone on to sell at a much higher rate than it did.
Approximately 70 000 LH Toranas were produced.
The LH was an entirely Australian made car, despite its early European origins. It sold alongside the HJ Holden, marketed as a smaller version. It shared a lot of the same mechanical components, a great cost saving move by Holden.