new Holden

Press, 30 November 1978, Page 19

new Holden

tliest in GM-H’s history, but Mr Chapman — who was the driving force behind the Opel Rekord while working in Germany in the early 70s — was determined to force Holden away from the image of clumsy, Americanstyled cars and he persisted with his dream of building an Australian Rekord. The Commodore is a departure in almost everyrespect from the traditional Holdens of the past. Although smaller and lighter, the compact car offers more interior room and has ultra-modern styling reminiscent of the German BMWs gracing the world’s streets at present.

Fuel consumption is claimed to be at least 10 per cent better than that of the bigger Holden HZ.

The Commodore is being marketed in three versions, all with four doors. The basic 2.8-litre model costs $6513 in Australia, the 3.3-litre SL $7813 and the top-of-the-range 4.2-litre V 8 SL/E

sells for sAustlO,sl3. These prices undercut the present Kingswood, Premier and Stateman versions of the Holden HZ, which will remain in production.

Mike Kable, motoring editor of the “Australian,” reported recently that he found the “exceptionally attractive Commodore is a usefully sized car _ with very precise handling.” He went on: “The overall design is very functional, with no. sty ling excesses in what is a nicelyproportioned sedan.”

Kable said the performance of the basic S model was no more than adequate in terms of power and the gearshift was stiff and notchy. However, he lauded the eye-catching SL/E, which he said was fast and silent, and a world-class car.

“The Commodore will do a lot for the motor industry in general and GMH in particular by providing a new standard for Australian cars that has been needed for some time,” wrote Kable.