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.
Ford had, wisely, set about meeting the new design rule
by performing some major surgery to their engines, most
specifically in the re-engineering of the cylinder heads,
a modification that made the engine both faster and
cleaner.
But the General choose to hastily add some emission
control equipment (or extra plumbing) without any re-design
of the basic engine - a strategy that would see significant
reductions in both fuel efficiency and power output.
But that wasn't the only bad news for Holden fans, in
September 1976 the beautiful Monaro Coupe's would be
phased out, the remaining body shells being used to
create the Holden "LE" (or Limited Edition).
The "LE" was, strangely, never referred to
by Holden as a Monaro, but most people presumed they
were, and we make reference to them throughout this
site as the Monaro "LE" for that very reason.
Available only in metallic maroon with gold honeycomb-pattern
trims on steel wheels, the "LE" certainly
looked very impressive, Holden marketing the car as
a "Luxury Sports Coupe".
The "LE"
featured a vast array of standard equipment, such as
the 5.0 litre V8, air-conditioning, eight-track cartridge
player, power windows and power steering.
Perhaps the best news was for connisuers of the biggest
of the Holden's, the Statesman Caprice and DeVille.
Both cars were given a much better grille treatment
than had been afforded them on the HJ (in the previous
model, when viewing a Statesman from front-on it was
very difficult to tell it apart from the Premier). The
horizontal pattern of the new grille made the Statesman's
look wider than their lesser brethren, and equipment
levels were substantially raised.
Standard equipement now included power radio aerials,
and on the Caprice extra guages for battery charge and
oil pressure, intermittent wipers, revised door-trims
finished in Rosewood, and beautiful crushed velour upholstery
was an option. While power central locking was (for
the very first time) an option across the Holden range,
it was clearly targeted at the Statesman buyers.
But perhaps the most little know feature of the HX was
the somewhat primitive anti-lock braking system introduced.
The system only operated on the rear wheels, which naturally
dimished most of the potential safety benefits such
a system would bring.
