By the time of the release of the HK in 1968,
Holden's competitors were well established in
a relatively small but extremely competitive
marketplace. The era of “race success equals
sales success” had begun, and the manufacturers
were busy creating cars capable of conquering
the sacred bitumen meandering across Mount Panorama. Holden no longer had exclusive rights on the
title of “Australia’s Number 1 Car”,
and needed to ensure each new model was technically
innovative, stylish and affordable.
The All-Aussie
253ci V8 would be released with the HT Holden,
a small V8 designed to fill the gap between the
sixes and large V8’s, and would quickly
garner a strong allegiance of fans appreciative
of the ample torque on offer, combined with a
silky smooth operation. It was a time when new
names would be introduced to the Australian vocabulary,
no longer would we refer to a car as “Special”,
instead it was the era of the Belmont, Kingswood,
Premier and Statesman.
There were also a few
names that demanded respect, identifying the
local manufacturer as more than a mere “box-on-wheels” manufacturer
- Monaro, GTS and Brougham. Models of this era
have now become highly collectable, and remain
highly drivable in today’s traffic conditions.
With a large after-market of spare parts manufacturers,
they represent a great entrée into the
wonderful world of classic car ownership.
1968 - 1969
The all-new Holden HK was the most ambitious series to
date, bringing a large array of additional models and
mechanical features - most importantly of which was the
imported Chev V8 engine. More>>
1969 - 1970
Another year, another facelift. The obligatory revisions
to the grille and tail lights were completed, but Holden
needed to advertise that there were some 65 major improvements
over the previous HK model for the buying public to take
notice. More>>
1969 - 1970
To counter the growing popularity of the Ford Fairlane, the General introduced a lavish luxury "large car", the Brougham. The linage was evident to even the most casual observer, it appearing much like a Premier on steroids. More>>
1970 - 1971
The HG Holden was the final refinement of the HK-T series
and introduced the Australian- Built, Three speed Tri-Matic
automatic transmission to the full size Holden. More>>
1971 - 1974
This model was arguably a high point of GMH styling,
and an Australian classic. They still proliferate the
Australian landscape (an icon of cars that were "built to last")
in their various configurations of body styles and engine
combinations. More>>
1974 - 1974
After the relaese of the Series II HQ Monaro, Holden took
a serious view to making a truly sporty recreational vehicle
after the 'sun and surf' youth culture of Australia was
starting to take hold. More>>
1974 - 1976
The facelifted HQ was released as the HJ model in 1974,
and while many improvements were made to the vehicle
the re-introduction of the "swipe" style speedo
immediately dated the interior and was reminiscent of
the HK. More>>
1974 - 1976
Released in October 1974, the HJ Sandman followed the
lead of the Monaro with the bold blunt front that somehow
seemed to suit the van better than the sedan. Once again
the Sandman was tricked up with all the GTS options and
came equipped with the same decals as the HQ series. More>>
1976 - 1977
The HX represented only minor cosmetic changes over the
HJ, so much so that the HJ and HX are arguably the hardest
pre-Commodore Holden models to tell apart. In fact, the
major reason for the release of the HX was so that Holden
could comply with the new Australian Design Rule 27a,
a rule designed to lower exhaust emissions. More>>
1976 - 1977
Released in July of '76 the HX Sandman had all the features
of the previous model with the major refinement being
the steering column mounted windscreen wiper/light dipper
switch, however its detoxed engine combinations were
a problem as in the Monaro. More>>
1977 - 1978
Following on from the HX was the last of the line for
the traditional large Holden sedans, the wonderful HZ.
There was plenty to celebrate with the new model, and
the new Radial Tuned Suspension (RTS) created a revolution
in Aussie big car design. The fact that all other local
car manufacturers were forced to rush handling modifications
into their cars proved just how right GMH got it. More>>
1977 - 1978
The HZ was equipped with all the visual, interior and
performance features of a loaded GTS sedan. With the suspension
finally cured with the addition of the much-vaunted Radial
Tuned Suspension (RTS), the Sandman could truly be considered
a 'sports' as well as a 'lifestyle' vehicle. More>>
1980 - 1985
The introduction of the Commodore by GM in Australia
as the new "family sedan" left an important
segment of its line up floundering, being the ever popular
commercial vehicles and the up-market luxury Deville
and Caprice. More>>
