1977 Holden HZ Kingswood 3.3

Vehicle Overview

Holden introduced the HZ lineup in late 1977 and kept it on the assembly lines until 1980 in several trim levels and body shapes, boosting the carmaker’s image in a market where it was much appreciated.

One of the most significant upgrades of the 1977 Holden HZ over its predecessor was not related to body styling but to a new engineering solution called Radial Tuned Suspension. Pontiac tested this system in the early ‘70s, and then GM translated the technology to Holden, proving its efficiency. It was developed especially for vehicles fitted with the new (then) radial tires, dramatically improving comfort and handling. The large-sized sedan Holden HZ was also beloved by customers due to its comfortable ride and potent engines. However, besides the original factory naming system, the car continued a famous nameplate among Australians and New Zealanders: the Kingswood.

The squared-looking bodywork resembled the previous HX model, with round headlights and a broad, egg-crate style grille between them. Depending on the grade, the large sedan was available with two or four headlights. Regardless of that, the turn signal and the parking lights were corner-mounted on the front side of the fenders. Lower, the automaker installed a chromed metallic bumper featuring a rubber stripe from end to end.

Thanks to the long hood and the cab-rearward design, the 1977 Holden HZ sedan had a sporty yet elegant appearance. In addition, a chromed stripe crossed the vehicle front to back on the sides, emphasizing the car’s length. The flush-mounted door handles were also chromed, suggesting the vehicle’s upscale segment, even though it was built for the regular Michael and Rebecca, who were popular names in Australia in the late ‘70s. A vinyl-covered roof was available for the Premier trim level. Behind the raked-forward rear window, Holden placed a sloped trunk with a raised center section flanked by the corner-mounted taillights sporting three horizontal chromed slats. Underneath the shiny rear bumper, the automaker placed a dual exhaust system with a pipe on the outer sides.

Customers found a spacious cabin with plenty of room for full-grown adults inside the HZ. Fronting the driver was a squared-looking dashboard. The instrument cluster was available in a couple of options. On the one hand, it was one that showed the speedometer, the fuel level, and the coolant temperature. At the same time, higher-powered versions were fitted with more dials, including a tachometer, an ammeter, and an oil pressure gauge. Depending on the grade, a set of bucket seats with cloth or vinyl upholstery was available at the front. At the same time, in the back, the 1977 Holden HZ Kingswood featured a wide bench seat with an armrest.

Under the hood, Holden offered the HZ lineup with a choice of three engines. The base version featured a 3.3-liter inline-six that sent power to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. The mid-version was powered by a 4.1-liter V8 (often called the 4.2) engine, while the top grade was motivated by a five-liter V8 powerhouse. Both eight-cylinder versions were paired as standard with a four-speed manual gearbox, while a three-speed automatic was available across the range.