NEW HOLDEN RANGE

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32666, 23 July 1971, Page 11

NEW HOLDEN RANGE

Coil-spring rear sus- ; ension, through-flow ventilation, bigger engines and more interior room are features of the new Bolden range announced by General Motors. Five models, both saloons and station waggons, will be assembled in New Zealand.

The full list of new models comprises four saloons, four Monaro coupes, and three station waggons. As well as the Belmont and Kingswood models, there is a Premier saloon and station waggon, and Statesman and States-

man de Ville "top of the line” models which are about 10 inches longer than the normal saloons. The HQ Holdens have lower, longer and wider bodies than the models they replace, giving more interior room. The instrument panel has been redesigned, and all controls have been positioned so they are in easy reach when wearing a seat belt. The basic engines are now of 2.9-litre capacity, and the optional bigger engines are of 3.3-litres (six cylinders) and 4.2 litres (V 8 A new model in the Monaro range is a[ luxury sports version with a Pre-mier-style interior. The Statesman and Statesman de Vil'o models have a

114 in wheelbase, and compared to the other saloons have a longer roof-line, a different grille, tail-lights and rear bumpers. They have luxurious interior trim and other “extras.” All the new Holdens have improved brake systems, and the disc brakes now have ventilated discs to improve cooling and pad life. The handbrake is now positioned at the side of the driver’s seat to bring it in easier reach, and all cars have dual braking systems. Front suspensions have been revised, with a new design of partial front frame. The coil-spring rear suspension features four locating links, and a new variable-rate power-assisted steering system is available as an option.

Safety features include collapsible steering columns laminated windscreens, articulated driver’s side wipers, and extra padding. The seat frames have been strengthened and there is provision for the fitting of headrests, which are an optional extra. The windscreen washers now have

four jets, and the boot is separated from the car interior by a steel bulkhead.