Holden Sunbird

Make:	Holden
Production period:	1976 to 1980
Class:	Motor Car
Body versions:	Saloon, coupé
Engines:	Gasoline:1.9 litres(62-75 kW)
Length:	4493 mm
Width:	1704 mm
Height:	1328 mm
Wheelbase:	2586 mm

The Holden Sunbird was a mid-size car that was manufactured by Holden in Australia in the model years 1976 to 1980.

History

The Holden Sunbird came as a four-cylinder variant of the LX / UC Torana A saloon/sedan with 4 doors; 4 seats with separate front seats with reclining backrests. Four-cylinder Sunbird and six-cylinder Torana have the same saloon and hatchback coupe body shells. 

Updates

LX Sunbird (1976-1978)
UC Sunbird (1978-1980)

By November 1976, the cars were still called LX Torana, then became the model with the weakest engine of the LX Sunbird. The 4-door sedan had a four-cylinder in-line engine with 1,897 cm ³ capacity and 100-102 bhp (74-75 kW) power, of Opel was supplied. The simply equipped car had a manual four-speed gearbox as standard or, on request, a three-speed automatic transmission. The appearance was essentially that of Torana; only small changes (e.g., radiator grille and chrome hubcaps) differentiated it. By May 1977 Holden brought out as the second model a 3-door coupé.

Features

• Radial Tuned Suspension.
  • Push-button radio with lockdown aerial.
  • Electric heated rear window
  • Full foam reclining front bucket seats,
  • Body stripes.
  • Electric clock
  • Cigarette lighter.
  • Locking glove-box With courtesy light.
  • Passenger assist handles _
  • 2-speed power-boosted heater/ventilation
  • Full wheel covers.
  • Multi-function column control stalk.
  • Power front disc brakes, rear drums.
  • Inertia reel front seat belts.
  • Rosewood pattern dash.
  • Loop pile carpets,
  • Soft grip steering wheel.

The successor, the UC Sunbird, appeared in March 1978, in three trim levels: Sunbird, Sunbird SL, and Sunbird SL / E. New coil springs, dampers and anti-roll bar and new front suspension geometry have improved ride and cornering and there is a new Salisbury axle. The rack and pinion steering has also been improved. Seats, trim and instruments were also redesigned this year, The simple Sunbird was only available with manual transmission. From the predecessor, the vehicle differed by rectangular headlights and a modified front end. 

PERFORMANCE: 1.9L

• max power (SAE): 96 hp at 5,200 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 116 1b ft. 16 kg m at 3,600 rpm
• max engine rpm: 6.000: 48.5 hp/l
• max speed: about 93 mph. 150 km/h
• power-weight ratio: 26.7 lb/hp, 12.1 kg/hp

The Opel engines delivered still 92-98 bhp (68-72 kW), but were replaced in September 1978 by the Holden "Starfire" engine. This was slightly smaller in displacement (1892 cm ³) and made only 84 bhp (62 kW). End of 1979, the coupés (along with the sister model Torana) also. The 4-door sedans were built until September 1980.

PERFORMANCE: Holden "Starfire" engine

• max power: 81hp at 4800rpm
• max speed: 99 mph. 159 km/h
• power. weight ratio: 31.S lb/hp. '4.3 kg/hp
• Fuel consumption: 28.2 m, lmp gal. 23.5 m/US

From the LX Sunbird / Torana originated 65,977 copies. The UC Sunbird / Torana was built 53,008 times. Initially, the Sunbird was replaced by a four-cylinder version of the Commodore, from 1982 then by the new Camira.