The Gemini is one of the most highly regarded
small cars around, it building an enviable reputation
for quality, handling and performance. The Gemini
was a concoction of the best from global GM,
it being designed in Germany and sourced from
Isuzu Japan. Within a year of manufacture commencing
in Australia, the little car would be named Car
of the Year and top the sales charts!
Powered
by the unstoppable Isuzu 1584cc 4 cylinder SOC
engine mated to a 4 speed manual transmission
(although a TriMatic auto was available as an
option), the car came with features few had seen,
or expected, on a car that was supposed to be
cheap-and-cheerful.
Front discs were standard
fair, as was reclining bucket seats, carpet,
fan boosted ventilation and rack and pinion steering – certainly
a far call from the Trabant! The next decade
would see Holden undertake many revisions and
model changes, each iteration having both cosmetic
and mechanical change, along with special production
runs such as the Sandpiper model, brimming with
extra features including a stereo cassette player,
four spoke steering wheel and a wood grain dash.
Best of all was the TD, the Radial Tuned Suspension
(RTS) being fitted to the already well sorted
chassis making for a real drivers car, something
unexpected for a little 4 cylinder. By the time
the RB model landed the Gemini had become merely
an appliance, and the switch to front wheel drive
would lose much of its appeal. The Button plan
for local car manufacturing rationalization resulted
in GMH actively marketing their badge reengineered
Nissan Pulsar, and without a whimper the Gemini’s
run would come to an end in 1987, few noticed.
1975 - 1977
In 1975 GMH began the manufacture of the Gemini in Australia,
and within a year of its release the little Gemini had
become the most popular car on the market (no doubt helped
by the low price tag and its being named Australian Car
of the Year). More>>
1977 - 1978
The new model TC was, as could be expected after only
2 years, merely a facelift of the old model, however Holden
decided to introduce some important handling options,
such as a front stabilizer bar and steel belted radial
tyres. The drive train however remained unchanged. More>>
1978 - 1979
The most noticeable visual change was the introduction
of more attractive and up-market looking square headlights.
The grille was, as always, changed again and now the little
Gemini incorporated RTS (Radial Tuned Suspension) which
was much heralded in its big brother, the Holden HZ. More>>
1979 - 1982
The Gemini had now spanned the casm between the traditional
large Holden HZ to the new smaller Commodore VB, and the
styling changes reflected Holdens new visual identity,
with the TE looking very much the little brother to the
VB. More>>
1982 - 1983
Seven years since the introduction of the Gemini and it
was time yeat again for another face lift. It was no surprise
to learn that the new model TF had a raft of appointment
upgrades over the old model, but there were to be very
few mechanical upgrades. More>>
1983 - 1985
Picking a TF from the previous TG can prove difficult,
as most improvements were simply by way of upgrades, such
as standardising all models with the more upmarket SL/X
seats, and each model (except the base model) receiving
the previous models higher spec wheel trims. More>>
1985 - 1987
With the competition selling hatchbacks by the dozen,
and the Gemini now only available in sedan form, GMH actively
marketed the LB Astra hatch - which in it'self was another
nail in the Gemini's coffin. More>>
