Holden KINGSWOOD
HOLDEN’S HZ KINGSWOOD SL MAY HAVE BEEN THE LAST OF THE LINE BUT IT WAS ALSO THE BEST.
Holden famously considered continuing the full-size Kingswood line past the HZ and we can only wonder what we would have ended up with. Though the Commodore proved to be a worthy car in its own right, the big brothers that started life in 1971 as the HQ series had really developed into a well-sorted car. It seemed such a shame to cut them off in their prime.
Holden famously sold over 485,000 HQs, eventually replacing it in 1974 with the
HJ range. Styling changes front and rear distinguished the car, which in turn was replaced with the HX in 1976. Unfortunately the latter were most notable for falling victim to new emission rules where power and efficiency dropped – probably not the intention of those who drafted the regulations.
Of more concern though was the deliberate ‘tuning’ of the series’ handling to severe understeer. That, combined with low-tech chassis components led to some fairly undesirable characteristics out of the showroom. As our own Cliff Chambers once described it, “Few people today will experience the true horror of an HQ-HX Holden on showroom stock springs and rubber. Virtually every surviving car will be running on radial tyres, and a lot will have larger wheels and improved shock absorbers.” Indeed.
Where the HZ series distinguished itself was by having what the factory proudly dubbed Radial Tuned Suspension. Badges proclaiming this feature were fitted inside and outside the car, just so you couldn’t miss it.
Essentially Holden re-engineered the chassis. As auto historian and UC contributor Dr John Wright describes it, then Holden chief engineer Joe Whitesell in May 1976 invited
Peter Hannenberger, Opel’s chassis whiz, to come to Australia as his assistant. Hannenberger’s brief was to redesign every suspension system fitted to a Holden. An acronym tells the story: RTS. The first Holden with Radial Tuned Suspension was the Sunbird, which went on sale just eight months after Hannenberger started. The HZ range arrived October 1977.
The difference was astounding. Here you now had a big car that went pretty much where you pointed it and maintained a comparatively flat attitude. It was no sports car, but was a far more reassuring experience on winding roads.
What really distinguishes the series is what it was also often criticised for – that the overall package was pretty basic. Compared to some of the more sophisticated European offerings of the day, that’s true. However what was then seen as primitive is now regarded as a virtue. These are simple and relatively inexpensive cars to maintain, with the usual proviso that you find one with a reasonably rust-free body.
Your engine choices were the 202 six, plus the 253 and 308 V8s. Trimatic autos were often the transmission of choice for families on everything bar the 308, which scored the robust Turbo Hydramatic 400. Three-speed and four-speed manuals were also on offer.
The car you see here is owned by Greg Armstrong and is a 1978 Kingswood SL in very close to stock trim. Its roof rack and rear window foil are period pieces, while the Premier hubcaps provide a little glam factor.
“THE DIFFERENCE WAS ASTOUNDING. YOU NOW HAD A BIG CAR THAT WENT WHERE YOU POINTED IT”
“IT’S BEAUTIFUL TO DRIVE, NICE AND SMOOTH, LIKE A BIG BOAT, THAT’S HOW THEY WERE”
Under the paint, there’s a 253 (4.2lt) V8 with Trimatic transmission. This was a very desirable combination back in the day – not spectacularly quick, but excellent cruising ability.
For Greg, there’s a strong family connection to this model. “My dad bought one from brand new and I remember driving around in it as a kid – so I’ve always had a soft spot for the wagons. I can definitely remember, I was five years old and riding around in the back of it. Unfortunately Dad sold it, but that’s just the way it is.
“A couple of years ago I made the decision to get one and had a look around. I found it up in Newcastle – had been looking around for a few months and came across this one. I made an offer over the phone and went up a few weeks later. I f lew up with Mum and drove it home. She was over the moon – it was a bit of a trip down memory lane.
“I haven’t had to do much to it. Replaced the exhaust system on it, otherwise it was good to go. It had 98,000km when I bought it, and I’ve got a lot of the paperwork to prove it. It’s a bit of a gem.
“I’m not afraid to use it: driven not hidden, that’s what I believe. I tr y to keep it out of the rain, but otherwise it gets out. I do a bit of surfing, so I’ll often load it up and take it down to the beach, or for a cruise down the coast.
“It’s beautiful to drive, nice and smooth, like a big boat, that’s how they were. Dad had a drive of it and he says it’s almost like it’s brand new.”