POWERFUL HOLDEN

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30453, 29 May 1964, Page 9

POWERFUL HOLDEN

'J’HE 115 b.h.p. Holden with the 2.9 litre engine is now available with manual transmission, and some examples of this combination are now in Christchurch. Formerly the 115 b.h.p. engine was available only with automatic transmission. The more powerful motor is available with Australian assembled cars and waggons only, and costs £25 over the cost of a normal manual Australian-assembled vehicle,

or £47 more than a New Zealand assembled vehicle in the case of a car and more in the case of a station waggon. The 2.9-litre unit is smooth and silent in operation, and gives plenty of low-down torque for rapid acceleration. Some of this was, of course, lost with the automtaic transmission, but with the threespeed manual box the additional power is all available. The engine pulls extremely well, take-off in second without strain being quite possible on the flat. The engine will pull in top from quite low speeds, although roughness comes in if it is asked to pull away below about 12 m.p.h., something that is not recommended with any car. Acceleration is very good, and few cars could stay with this version of the Holden in this department. Similarly, hill-climbing ability is of a very high order, and the car should be excellent for pulling caravans and boats.

The brakes, however, are not adequate for the power and the speed of the car, and further development in this department is called for. They are quite satisfactory at low speeds. The body and interior layout of the car is unchanged, as is the suspension. The car feels taut and solid, and handling is good. Naturally some caution is needed in the wet with the power available, but sensible drivers should have no difficulties.

The three-speed gearbox has no synchromesh on first, but with the big engine the lack of it should very rarely be felt. The gear-change is fair.

Buyers can now specify the Holden with manual trans-

mission and the 100 b.h.p. engine, with manual transmission and the 115 b.h.p. engine, or with automatic transmission and the 115 b.h.p. engine. The Premier, the luxury model, comes in saloon and station waggon versions with the 115 b.h.p. engine and the automatic transmission only.