Holden HG

Holden HG
Holden Kingswood Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
Also called	Holden Belmont Holden Kingswood Holden Premier Holden Brougham Holden Monaro
Production	July 1970 – July 1971
Designer	Joe Schemansky
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door coupé 2-door coupé utility 2-door panel van
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	3.2L 'Chevrolet 130' I6 (export only) 2.6L GMH '161' I6 3.0L GMH '186' I6 4.1L GMH '253' V8 5.0L GMH '308' V8 5.7L 'Chevrolet 350' V8
Transmission	3spd manual 4spd manual 2spd "Powerglide" automatic 3spd "Tri-Matic" automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	111.0 inches (2819 mm)
Length	184.8 inches (4694 mm) (sedans)
Width	71.8 inches (1824 mm) (Belmont)
Height	55.6 inches (1412 mm) (sedans)
Curb weight	2814 lb (1276 kg) (Belmont)
Chronology
Predecessor	Holden HT
Successor	Holden HQ

The Holden HG is an automobile which was produced by Holden in Australia between 1970 and 1971. It was marketed under Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, Brougham and Monaro model names.

Introduction

The Holden HG range was introduced on 26 July 1970,^[1] replacing the Holden HT series which had been in production since May 1969.^[2] Changes from the previous model included new grilles and body decorations as well as new safety features, colours and trim designs.^[3] All V8-engined models were now fitted with improved disc brakes and the suspension system of the Monaro GTS was modified for greater comfort.^[3]

Model range

The mainstream HG series was offered in four-door sedan and five-door station wagon body styles in three trim levels.

• Belmont sedan ^[1]
• Belmont station wagon ^[1]
• Kingswood sedan ^[1]
• Kingswood station wagon ^[1]
• Premier sedan ^[1]
• Premier station wagon ^[1]

The Brougham, which used a body with an extended boot, was available in one model only.

• Brougham sedan ^[1]

The Monaro was offered in three two-door coupe models

• Monaro coupe ^[1]
• Monaro GTS coupe ^[1]
• Monaro GTS 350 coupe ^[1]

Commercial vehicle derivatives were available in two-door coupe utility and two-door panel van body styles.

• Belmont utility ^[1]
• Belmont panel van ^[1]
• Kingswood utility ^[1]

• 
  Holden Belmont sedan
• 
  Holden Kingswood sedan
• 
  Holden Kingswood station wagon
• 
  Holden Premier sedan
• 
  Holden Premier sedan
• 
  Holden Premier station wagon
• 
  Holden Brougham
• 
  Holden Monaro
• 
  Holden Monaro
• 
  Holden Monaro GTS 350 (HG)
• 
  Holden Belmont panel van
• 
  Holden Kingswood utility

Engines and transmissions

The 161 cu in (2.6 L) and 186 cu in (3.0 L) inline six-cylinder engines were carried over from the HT range, as were the 253 cu in (4.1 L), 308 cu in (5.0 L) and 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 engines. A new three-speed "Tri-Matic" automatic transmission was offered for the first time on the full-size Holden range.^[3] The "Tri-Matic" was standard on Premier and Brougham models, and offered as an option on all other models excepting the Monaro GTS 350.^[3]

Production

The HG range was replaced by the Holden HQ series in July 1971,^[4] production having totaled 155,787 units.^[1] In total, 6,147 Monaros were produced.^[5]

Export

The HG was also sold in South Africa, as the Chevrolet Kommando, Constantia, or El Camino bakkie (pickup). The El Camino sold very well, leaving GM South Africa with no more trucks but a surplus of passenger car parts in early 1972, when the succeeding HQ series was already on its way. The solution was to use up material for 3400 Constantias and Kommandos to build El Camino pickup trucks. These hybrids had considerably better equipment than the regular utility, and proved very popular with consumers, allowing GMSA to make a small profit on the entire deal. ^[6]

References