Chronicles: 1978 Year In Review

1978 marked the beginning of the end for the perennial "Kingswood", with the introduction of the VB Commodore. Although smaller than the HZ, the new car handled better and appeared far more modern. There was certainly no doubting Holden's desire to have the new car percieved as 'European', with an optional 'European Pack' available.

The VB was a major change of direction for GMH, but it quickly became Australia's top-selling car and its media awards included the coveted Wheels magazine's "Car of the Year". Launched after Holden had spent more than $110 million on development, the Commodore combined a German body design with an Australian engine and local mechanical components. Importantly, it was significantly smaller than previous Holdens and showed GMHA following the trend toward smaller cars sparked by the fuel crises of the 1970s.

The GM Corporation had started work on the Commodore way back in 1971. It was the second vehicle in the GM world car program (the first being the Gemini) and variations were sold in Continental Europe, England and South Africa.

In its Australian form - with locally developed drivetrain, steering, suspension, body strengthening and dust sealing - it became the 18th new family-sized Holden. The Commodore was generally judged to have brought a new level of sophistication to the market with efficient space packaging, high levels of comfort, generous equipment levels and excellent handling - due to the latest development of Holden's highly successful Radial Tuned Suspension.

In addition to the base Commodore, there were SL and upmarket SL/E derivatives. These were sold alongside a wide array of locally produced Holdens including seven Gemini models, six Sunbirds, three Toranas, five HZ Holdens (which would remain in production for another 2 years), two Statesman variants and six car-based light commercial vehicles.

Even when the Commodore was established as a sales success, the HZ Holden range of sedans, wagons, utilities, vans, trucks and Statesman saloons continued to sell well. A Commodore wagon appeared eight months after the sedan.

In other motoring news, the Lotus Esprit S2 was released in England; After seeing his Puerto Rican manufacturing plans fall through, car-maker John DeLorean revealed his support from the Government of Northem Ireland; Chrysler announced the sale of its European operations to Peugeot.

Allan Moffat was tipped to retire from motor racing; Harry J. Butler, the father of the disc brake, died; Production of the Leyland Mini wound up in Australia, but naturally enough continued in the UK. For those Holden fans that lamented the passing of the HZ (although production would continue until 1980), hope still shone eternal with the awesome Torana A9X winning that year at Mt. Panorama.

On the domestic front, for the first time ever, the Melbourne Cup was televised live on Channel 0/10, while over at Channel 7 "Against The Wind" would become the first major mini-series produced for Australian commercial television.

By this time, some 64% of Melbourne households and 70% of Sydney households now had a colour TV sitting itn their loungeroom, making Australia the fastest country ever to take up the "new" technology (Note: NTSC colour transmissions were by now well established in North America).

Motorists in the Western suburbs of Melbourne were happy to receive the news that the West Gate Bridge (spanning the mouth of the Yarra River) was completed and being prepared for public use.

In international news, Polish Pope John Paul II became the first non -Italian Catholic Pope in 450 years; lsaac Bashevis Singer won the Nobel Prize for Literature; The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Israel and Eygptian leaders Begin and Sadat following the signing of Camp David peace trealy.

Formula One Championship: Mario Andretti (United States) / Lotus-Ford

1978 Bathurst Winner: Peter Brock & Jim Richards / Torana A9X

NRL Grand Final: Manly-Warringah (16) def. Cronulla-Sutherland (0)

VFL/AFL Grand Final: Hawthorn (18.13.121) def. North Melbourne (15.13.103)

Melbourne Cup: Arwon (H. White)

Wimbledon Women: Martina Navratilova d. C. Evert (2-6 6-4 7-5)

Wimbledon Men: Bjorn Borg d. J. Connors (6-2 6-2 6-3)

The Movies: