“A New Kind Of Car For Australia” was right.
The revolutionary German Opel-designed Kingswood replacement successfully wedded Euro styling, handling and space efficiency to proven Holden mechanicals (including a coil and live rear-end).
Ageing engines that dated back to the 1963 EH Holden were the only real letdown, along with the clunky four-speed manual gearboxes.
The wagons arrived from mid-’79, while the four-speed manual-only 64kW 2.8-litre in-line six-cylinder “Commodore” was the base model. The three-speed Tri-Matic auto was available from the 3.3-litre upwards.
The Commodore’s huge acclaim and popularity prompted Holden to quickly end production of the similarly sized HZ Kingswood and UC Torana, as well as suspend development of the WB Kingswood/Premier passenger cars. Standard features: Reclining bucket seats, heated rear window, clock, childproof door locks, carpet, AM radio, vacuum gauge, trip meter, halogen headlights.
Engine options: 66kW 3.3 manual, 71kW 3.3 auto, 87kW/96kW 4.2 V8, auto-only 114kW/125kW 5.0 V8.
