Holden Gemini Reviews and Road Tests

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Holden Gemini


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.
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Gemini TX  

Holden Gemini TX

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>>

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Holden Gemini TC

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>>
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Gemini TD  

Holden Gemini TD

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>>
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Gemini TE  

Holden Gemini TE

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>>
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Gemini TF  

Holden Gemini TF

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>>
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Gemini TG  

Holden Gemini TG

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>>
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Gemini RB

Holden Gemini RB

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>>
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