Holden HJ Panel Van 1974Coordinates -37.7649145,144.9613814
Picture dated January 2014
Holden is an Australian carmaker that operates in Australasia. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the United States-based General Motors (GM) in 1931. Until 1953 the company built cars from imported “knock down kits” sourced from Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Vauxhall.
1971's Holden HQ was the first in the series of the 5th redesign of large Holden cars, but the first time the cars had been completely redesigned, including an all new body, chassis, and suspension. Once again, the mainstream HQ passenger car range consisted of four-door sedan and five-door station wagon models in three trim levels, and a long wheelbase luxury four-door sedan and in two trim levels. Four versions of the two-door coupes were later joined by two four-door models. The commercial vehicle range included a utility in two trim levels, and panel van and cab chassis truck models.
The two inline six cylinder engines from the HG range were carried over to the HQ, but were enlarged to 173 cu in and 202 cu in. 253 cu in, 308 cu in and 350 cu in V8s were also available. Gearboxes options included three and four speed manuals, 3-speed Tri-Matic automatic, and 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic (on the 350 V only).
The Statesman HQ range of long wheelbase luxury sedans, based on the Holden HQ series was also released in July 1971.They were marketed as Statesmans rather than as Holdens and available in two trim levels: the entry car was called the "Statesman" and the premium car was the "Statesman Deville".
The HJ series was released on 4 October 1974 and was an improved and facelifted version of the superseded Holden HQ. All HJ models, aside from the One Ton cab chassis, were easily identified from the HQ by having a squared-off frontal treatment with wrap-around indicator lights. The rear of the sedan models featured a new bumper and wraparound triangular taillights, while all other body styles kept the previous HQ's rear styling.
The range was similar to previously, but the base model Coupe was not carried forward from the HQ series, and the new range also saw the demise of the GTS350 Coupe and Sedan, meaning that the imported Chevrolet 350-cubic-inch V8 engine was no longer offered in any Holden model.
Other streetview classic cars in this location
