Torana Specifications - HB Series 1

HB [Series 1] May 1967 - September 1968

While the HB Torana was the first small Holden, it was not GM-H's first small car, as they had previously assembled and marketed the HB Vauxhall Viva.  When the HA was due to be replaced by the HB Viva in 1967, GM-H decided to increase the local content and badge it as a Holden. The name Torana is aboriginal meaning "To Fly" and was the first aboriginal name used by Holden.  The Series 1 tag was not official GM-H coding but was used to differentiate this car from the later 1969 HB Torana.

Externally, the main difference between the English HB Viva and the Australian HB Torana was Vauxhall's use of rectangular headlights and matching grille (the Holden's headlights were round).  The car showed it's European heritage with two rear number plate lights (to accommodate the wider UK plates) secondly km/h scale on the speedometer and the multi-function stalk with horn, headlight flasher, low/high beam and blinkers.

The model range consisted of one body style only, a two-door sedan, in three trim levels: the Torana, the Torana S and the Torana SL.  The basic Torana was the price leader and was fairly spartan (similar to the larger standard Holden), although it was equipped with front bucket seats and seatbelts, an external rear-view mirror, Holden's Sadlon vinyl upholstery and black rubber floor mats.  The Torana S had rear ashtrays, a parcel tray, assist straps, coat hooks, courtesy light door switches, door armrests and colour-matched steering wheel and rubber floor mats.  The SL was similar to a mini-Premier with woodgrain finish on the glovebox, instrument facia and horn bar.   A heater was standard as was a boot light, glovebox light and lock, carpet and temperature gauge.

Powered by a 1159cc four-cylinder OHV engine, transmitting through a four-speed floor-shift all-synchro gearbox, the HB was quite a nifty little performer by 1067 standards and was very well received when introduced.  The suspension was another first by Holden, with coils all round, a four-link rear setup and rack-and-pinion steering (another Holden first).  The body was of the contemporary 'coke-bottle' design with ample interior and boot space.

When the HB was first introduced, the 56bhp engine was the only powerplant available.  This was remedied late in 1967 with the introduction of the Brabham version and early in 1968 with the Series 70 engine option.  The Brabham was an option package available for both the S and SL models and was equipped with twin carburettors.  The engine was a 79bhp version of the same basic 1159cc Vauxhall four-cylinder engine.  Other options were power-assisted front disc brakes, wider (four-inch) road wheels and 6.20X12 red-wall tyres and a lower-ratio (4.125:1) differential.  Brabham were identified by broad centre GT-style stripe, blacked-out rear tail-light panel, small 'Brabham' badges on the front guards and a mahogany gear knob with the 'Brabham' motif.  Automatic transmission was not available with this engine.

The Series 70 engine was an upgrade of the basic engine to 69bhp (with a CD side-draught Strongberg carburettor) and was available on all three models.  Cars with this engine came with power-assisted front disc brakes and four-inch road wheels, and were identified by a small '70' and a 'checkered square' on the boot.  The BorgWarner 35 three-speed automatic transmission was optional on the 56bhp engine on earlier cars, but after the introduction of the Series 70 engine, automatic was the only option on the higher-spec engine.

  Minor Features

  • Front guards were welded and not bolted on.
  • Bonnet catch external (no cable release).
  • Temperature gauge fitted to SL and optional on others (no temperature warning light on any model).
  • Heater/demister (standard on SL) had no blower fan.
  • Vinyl roof (black) optional on SL only.
  • Radio mounted under (not in) dash.
  • Fuse box mounted under bonnet.
  • Brabham engine had two CD Strongberg side-draught carburettors.

  Specifications

  • Fuel tank, 8 gallons (36 litres).
  • Wheelbase, 95.8 inches.
  • Track front and rear, 51 inches.
  • Height, 54.4 inches.
  • Width, 63 inches.
  • Length, 161.3 inches.

  Engines

Engine
Compression
Output
Engine No
-
ratio
bhp
prefix
1159cc
8.5:1
56
22HB
Series 70
9.0:1
69
23HB
Brabham
9.0:1
79
23HB

 

 



  Transmission

Four-speed all synchro floor-shift manual.
Three-speed floor-shift automatic (BW35).

  Final Drives

  • 3.89: for 56bhp engine with four-speed manual.
  • 4.125 for 56bhp auto, Series 70 and Brabham.

  Model Range

  • HB 82211 Torana.
  • HB 82411 Torana S.
  • HB82611 Torana SL.
  • Brabham option available on S or SL

  Release Dates

  • First released, May 1967.
  • Brabham, October 1967.
  • Series 70, March 1968

  Prices At Release

  • Torana S, $1,890.00.
  • Torana SL, $2,025.00.

  Total Produced

  • 16,318.