Holden Gemini

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Holden Gemini
Production period: 1975-1987
Class : Lower middle class , compact class
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon , panel van , coupé
Previous model: Holden TA Torana
Successor: Holden LD Astra

The Holden Gemini is a lower middle class passenger car , which was manufactured from 1975 to 1997 by the Australian automobile manufacturer Holden , the subsidiary of General Motors there , based on the design plans of the Japanese Isuzu Gemini in Brisbane .

Year by year

TX / TC / TD Gemini (1975-1979)

TX Gemini (1975–1977)
TC Gemini (1977–1978)
TD Gemini (1978–1979)
Isuzu Gemini (1974–1979), identical to the Holden TX Gemini

Isuzu Gemini (1974–1979), identical to the Holden TX Gemini
Production period: 1975-1979
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon , panel van , coupé
Engines: Petrol engines :
1.6 liters
(61–63 kW)
Length: 4133-4158 mm
Width: 1570 mm
Height: 1296-1363 mm
Wheelbase : 2404 mm
Empty weight :
Isuzu Gemini (1974–1979)

Main article: Opel Kadett C Holden presented

the successor to the TA Torana , which had just expired , in March 1975. The TX Gemini was GM's first "world car" , which was launched in Germany as the Opel Kadett C , sold in the UK as the Vauxhall Chevette and in the USA as Chevrolet Chevette and Pontiac T1000 . The Japanese version was called Isuzu Gemini and served as the basis for the Australian edition, albeit with a different engine. The TX Gemini was only offered with a 1.6 liter inline four-cylinder engine that delivered 63 kW. The power was later reduced to 61 kW. Buyers could choose between a manual four-speed gearbox and a three-speed automatic, both with a center shift. There was a 4-door sedan and a 2-door coupé, the former as a normal and better equipped SL version, the latter only as an SL version. From April 1976 there was still an A8T package called the Fashion Pack for the coupe. On the rear panels of the first coupes delivered in Australia, the name '' Isuzu Holden '' could be read.

For use on the racetrack only, the coupé was equipped with a 1.3 l R4 engine with 52 kW output, which was supplied by Isuzu . However, this version was not officially offered.

In March 1977 the Gemini received a minor facelift and became the TC Gemini . The radiator grille, which was previously divided into two fields, was divided into 11 boxes with chrome frames, each of which was again divided twice vertically with narrow chrome strips. The Fashion Pack was now also available for the sedan. In April 1977 the even better equipped Sandpiper version was presented, which had a black radiator grille instead of the chrome-plated one.

In April 1979 the model series presented itself more clearly revised. Except for the simplest model, which still had round headlights, the TD Gemini had rectangular headlights and the radiator grille was made simpler than before with three horizontal chrome bars. The biggest innovations, however, were two new models, a delivery van and a station wagon with 3 doors each. Side and rear parts of these vehicles were supplied by Opel from Germany. The third transmission option was a manual five-speed transmission. The sedan and coupé were now also available as SL / E versions, which essentially corresponded to the earlier Sandpiper. In March 1979 the SL / E sedan was replaced by the significantly cheaper but similarly equipped SL / X sedan.

model designation Vehicle type Construction period
TX-8TE69 Gemini Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1975-03 / 1977
TX-8TF27 Gemini SL Coupe 2 doors 03 / 1975-03 / 1977
TX-8TF27-A8T Gemini SL Fashion Pack Coupe 2 doors 04 / 1976-03 / 1977
TX-8TF69 Gemini SL Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1975-03 / 1977
TC-8TE69 Gemini Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1977-04 / 1978
TC-8TF27 Gemini SL Coupe 2 doors 03 / 1977-04 / 1978
TC-8TF27-A8T Gemini SL Fashion Pack Coupe 2 doors 03 / 1977-04 / 1978
TC-8TF27-A9W Gemini SL Sandpiper Coupe 2 doors 04 / 1977-04 / 1978
TC-8TF69 Gemini SL Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1977-04 / 1978
TC-8TF69-A8T Gemini SL Fashion Pack Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1977-04 / 1978
TC-8TF69-A9W Gemini SL Sandpiper Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1977-04 / 1978
TD-8TE69 Gemini Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1978-10 / 1979
TD-8TE70 Gemini Delivery truck 3 doors 04 / 1978-10 / 1979
TD-8TF15 Gemini Combi 3 doors 04 / 1978-10 / 1979
TD-8TF27 Gemini SL Coupe 2 doors 04 / 1978-10 / 1979
TD-8TF27-A8J Gemini SL / E Coupe 2 doors 04 / 1978-10 / 1979
TD-8TF69 Gemini SL Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1978-10 / 1979
TD-8TF69-A8J Gemini SL / E Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1978-03 / 1979
TD-8TF69-A8P Gemini SL / X Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1979-10 / 1979

The TX Gemini was built 43,009 times, the TC Gemini 17,256 copies and the TD Gemini 42,396 pieces.

TE / TF / TG ​​Gemini (1979–1985)

TE Gemini (1979–1982)
TF Gemini (1982–1983)
TG Gemini (1983–1985)
Holden TE Gemini (1981)

Holden TE Gemini (1981)
Production period: 1979-1985
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon , panel van
Engines: Otto engine :
1.6 liters (50 kW)
Diesel engine :
1.8 liters (40 kW)
Length: 4214-4276 mm
Width: 1570 mm
Height: 1330-1340 mm
Wheelbase : 2404 mm
Empty weight :

The successor TE Gemini , presented in October 1979, had significantly revised front and rear sections. From the front it was reminiscent of the contemporary VB Commodore , but instead of the rectangular ones in the simplest version it had round headlights, which were flanked by elongated parking lights on the vehicle corners. The indicators sat in the chrome-plated bumper with plastic corners. The taillights had been enlarged significantly. The output of the 1.6-liter petrol engine had dropped to 50 kW and from March 1981 there was also a diesel engine with 1.8 l displacement, which mobilized 40 kW and could only be combined with the five-speed gearbox. The coupé was no longer offered and the top model in sedan version was called Sandpiper II from June 1981 . The van was sold as a Gypsy .

In March 1982 the mildly revised TF Gemini appeared . Its front had been adapted to that of the VH Commodore , which was manufactured at the same time . Otherwise there was a wealth of detail improvements inside and outside, e.g. B. now the turn signals took the place of the earlier parking lights and the bumpers were again made of one piece and made of black plastic. The instrumentation corresponded to that of the new JB Camira . In April 1982 a luxury Star Sign Pack was introduced.

The last "T-Car" appeared in March 1983 in the form of the TG Gemini . Outwardly, it hardly differed from its predecessor, but all models were better equipped. The ZZ / Z sports sedan was new and - always painted in silver - was fitted with aluminum rims.

model designation Vehicle type Construction period
TE-8TE69 Gemini Sedan 4 doors 10 / 1979-03 / 1982
TE-8TE70 Gemini Gypsy Delivery truck 3 doors 02 / 1980-03 / 1982
TE-8TF15 Gemini Combi 3 doors 02 / 1980-03 / 1982
TE-8TF69 Gemini SL Sedan 4 doors 10 / 1979-03 / 1982
TE-8TF69-A9H Gemini SL / X Sedan 4 doors 10 / 1979-03 / 1982
TE-8TF69-A9W Gemini Sandpiper II Sedan 4 doors 06 / 1981-03 / 1982
TF-8TE69 Gemini Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1982-03 / 1983
TF-8TE70 Gemini Delivery truck 3 doors 03 / 1982-03 / 1983
TF-8TF15 Gemini Combi 3 doors 03 / 1982-03 / 1983
TF-8TF69 Gemini SL Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1982-03 / 1983
TF-8TF69-A9W Gemini Sandpiper II Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1982-03 / 1983
TF-8TF69-V6Q Gemini Star Sign Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1982-03 / 1983
TF-8TV69 Gemini SL / X Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1982-03 / 1983
TG-8TE69 Gemini Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1983-04 / 1985
TG-8TE70 Gemini Delivery truck 3 doors 03 / 1983-04 / 1985
TG-8TF15 Gemini Combi 3 doors 03 / 1983-04 / 1985
TG-8TF69 Gemini SL Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1983-04 / 1985
TG-8TF69-A9W Gemini Sandpiper II Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1983-04 / 1985
TG-8TF69-U4E Gemini ZZ / Z Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1983-04 / 1985
TG-8TF69-V6Q Gemini Star Sign Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1983-04 / 1985
TG-8TV69 Gemini SL / X Sedan 4 doors 03 / 1983-04 / 1985

70,567 pieces of the TE Gemini were built, the TF Gemini was built 28,326 times. Holden of TG Gemini produced 24,675 copies.

RB Gemini (1985-1987)

RB Gemini (1985-1987)
Holden RB Gemini SL / X (1985-1987)

Holden RB Gemini SL / X (1985-1987)
Production period: 1985-1987
Body versions : limousine
Engines: Otto engine :
1.5 liters (52 kW)
Length: 4035 mm
Width: 1600 mm
Height: 1375 mm
Wheelbase : 2400 mm
Empty weight :

In April 1985, the rear- wheel drive Gemini was replaced by the new RB Gemini , which was based on the front-wheel drive Isuzu Gemini II . The cars were a bit smaller and were only available as 4-door sedans. The new engine with a displacement of 1.5 l and an output of 52 kW also came from Isuzu . Mainly the two better equipped variants '' SL / X '' and '' SL / E '' were sold, the simple '' SL '' was only delivered on special order.

With an RB Gemini, the factory carried out a 200,000 km long advertising tour through all of Australia in 80 days. a. the later famous racing driver Peter Brock also tested the car.

model designation Vehicle type Construction period
RB-8RB69 Gemini SL Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1985-1987
RB-8RC69 Gemini SL / X Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1985-1987
RB-8RE69 Gemini SL / E Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1985-1987

Unfortunately, the RB Gemini did not sell as well as its rear-wheel drive predecessors. In the course of 1987 it was discontinued after only 16,263 copies. The successor was the somewhat larger LD Astra .

Web links

Commons : Holden Gemini  - collection of images, videos and audio files

swell

  • Terry Bebbington, Michel A. Malik: 45 Years of Holden. Australian Publishing and Printing Company, Sydney NSW 1994, ISBN 0-947216-31-6 .