Holden Premier

Holden Premier
Production period:	1962-1980
Class :	Middle class (1962–1968) Upper middle class (1968–1980)
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Successor:	Holden Commodore

The Holden Premier was a mid- size car built by Holden in Australia between 1962 and 1980 as a more luxurious version of the Standard / Special . When these more simply equipped versions were replaced by the Belmont / Kingswood duo in 1968 , the premier made its way up to the upper middle class .

Year by year

Premier (EJ / EH, 1962–1965)

Premier EJ (1962–1963) Premier EH (1963–1965)
Holden Premier EJ (1962–1963)
Production period:	1962-1965
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.3–2.9 liters (55–85 kW)
Length:	4496-4521 mm
Width:	1727 mm
Height:	1473-1676 mm
Wheelbase :	2667 mm
Empty weight :	1131-1241 kg

When the new Holden of the EJ series were presented in July 1962, in addition to the Standard and Special versions, there was for the first time a luxuriously equipped sedan called the Premier EJ . This series was stylistically based on the new Chevrolet Chevy II Nova . The radiator grille, which stretched across the entire width of the vehicle, had individual round headlights at the ends. The tail fins of the previous model were strongly trimmed, only the round taillights remained. The six-cylinder in-line engine with 2261 cm³ displacement and an output of 75 bhp (55 kW) was taken over from its predecessor. The windshield wipers working against each other gave way to parallel working specimens. The hydraulic brakes have been converted to a two-circuit system. Compared to the cheaper models, the Premier had single seats in the front and an armrest on the rear bench, which were covered with leather. A manual transmission was not offered; the two-stage Powerglide automatic was standard. In addition, wool carpets, armrests on all four doors, metallic paintwork, whitewall tires and white steering wheel as well as extensive additional instrumentation set the Premier apart from the simpler EJ variants.

The revision to the Premier EH due in August 1963 gave the car elongated taillights and new engines. While the two 2.45-liter R6 engines were only used in the simpler EH variants, an in-line six-cylinder with 2933 cm³ displacement and an output of 115 bhp (85 kW) was standard in the Premier. As a second model, the Premier now also received a five-door station wagon. Both Premier models had rear bumper horns.

model	designation	Vehicle type	Construction period
EJ-235	Premier Sedan	Limousine, four-door	07 / 1962-07 / 1963
EH-235	Premier Sedan	Limousine, four-door	08 / 1963–01 / 1965
EH-239	Premier Station Wagon	Station wagon, five-door	08 / 1963–01 / 1965

The Premier EJ was manufactured 154,811 times, the Premier EH exactly 256,959 times up to January 1965 (all figures including standard / special models).

Premier (HD / HR, 1965-1967)

Premier HD (1965–1966) Premier HR (1966–1967)
Holden Premier HD X2 (1965-1966)
Production period:	1965-1968
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.9-3.05 liters (85-107 kW)
Length:	4572-4597 mm
Width:	1778 mm
Height:	1486-1715 mm
Wheelbase :	2692 mm
Empty weight :	1178-1340 kg

Holden Premier HR (1966-1967)

Stern of the Premier HR

The Holden Premier HD , presented in February 1965, showed little formal difference to its predecessor, but had grown significantly in size. With its chrome-framed door sills and wheel arches - which it had in contrast to the cheaper models - it resembled the German Opel Rekord A , which was also available for the first time as the Opel L-6 (with a six-cylinder engine). Its wheelbase had increased by 1 ″. The engine of the predecessor was taken over; there was also a high-performance variant X2 with 140 bhp (103 kW). Inside, the Premier had Morrokide vinyl upholstery instead of the previous leather interior. On request, the station wagon was also available with a rear door hinged on the right with electrically retractable windows instead of the usual tailgate.

The Premier HR was the result of the facelift in April 1966. The round headlights got rectangular chrome frames and the two-row, horizontally arranged taillights gave way to two-chamber lights, which - in the sedan and station wagon - consisted of two triangles placed one above the other. The 2.9-liter R6 was replaced by a unit with a displacement of 3048 cm³, which with a compression ratio of 9.2: 1 produces an output of 126 bhp (93 kW) or (as X2 or S model) 145 bhp ( 107 kW). Like the other HR models, the Premier now had a manual transmission as standard. On request, instead of the 3-speed gearbox, there was a manual 4-speed gearbox from Opel or the two-stage Powerglide automatic. If desired, the Premier could now also be ordered with a front bench seat at no additional or lower price.

model	designation	Vehicle type	Construction period
HD-235	Premier Sedan	Limousine, four-door	02 / 1965-03 / 1966
HD-239	Premier Station Wagon	Station wagon, five-door	02 / 1965-03 / 1966
HR-235	Premier Sedan	Limousine, four-door	04 / 1966-12 / 1967
HR-239	Premier Station Wagon	Station wagon, five-door	04 / 1966-12 / 1967

178,927 copies were made of the HD and 252,352 copies of the HR. (all numbers including standard / special models).

Premier (HK / HT / HG, 1968–1971)

Premier HK (1968–1969) Premier HT (1969–1970) Premier HG (1970–1971)
Holden Premier HK (1968-1969)
Production period:	1968-1971
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 3.05-5.7 liters (91-221 kW)
Length:	4699 mm
Width:	1816 mm
Height:	1417-1486 mm
Wheelbase :	2819 mm
Empty weight :	1471-1493 kg

Stern of the Premier HK

Holden Premier HK Wagon (1968-1969)

In January 1968 the Standard and the Special got new names, only the Premier kept its name in the new HK series . But it lost its role as a top model, which the new Brougham took over. The cars increased their wheelbase and length by 5 ″ and received a new, contoured front with the center of the radiator grille and the corners of the vehicle with the headlights facing forward. The new radiator grille was divided horizontally and vertically by a chrome strip each. There was a fashionable hip bend over the rear wheel arches and there were wide taillights. In addition to the luxury sedan Brougham, a coupé called the Monaro was also included in the series. Unlike the more simply equipped Belmont and Kingswood models , the Premier now had double headlights to offer.

In addition to the well-known six-cylinder engine with 3.05 l displacement and 124–145 bhp (91–107 kW), Holden also offered V8 engines for the first time. Chevrolet contributed an engine with 5031 cc and 210 bhp (154 kW) and from the other GM brands came a V8 with 5359 cc and 250 bhp (184 kW).

In May 1969 the facelifted Premier HT was presented. The horizontal chrome bar, which shared the radiator grille in the previous year, was omitted and the taillights were now in two rows. As a new model in the HT series, there was the one- tonne truck as a chassis for customer-specific bodies.

More happened with the engines: On the one hand, Holden developed its own V8 engines with a displacement of 4146 cm³ and 174 bhp (128 kW) with a compression of 8: 1 or 185 bhp (136 kW) with a compression of 9: 1, as well as a replacement for the Chevrolet engine a V8 with 5047 cm³ and 240 bhp (176 kW). On the other hand, the GM small block V8 with 5735 cm³ displacement and 275 bhp (202 kW) in automatic mode and 300 bhp (221 kW) with manual transmission was imported. Since the engines of the last HK series were also used up, nine different engines were available for the HT Premier.

In July 1970 the second facelift came to the Premier HG . The horizontal chrome bar in the radiator grille of the previous model had blossomed into a wide web, on both sides of which there were close-meshed radiator grills. The taillights were again in a row. The engine range was almost the same as that of the HT, only the old Chevrolet engine with 5.05 l displacement and 210 bhp had had its day.

model	designation	Vehicle type	Construction period
HK-80535	Premier Wagon	Station wagon, five-door	01 / 1968-05 / 1969
HK-80569	Premier Sedan	Limousine, four-door	01 / 1968-05 / 1969
HT-81135	Premier Wagon R6	Station wagon, five-door	05 / 1969-07 / 1970
HT-81169	Premier Sedan R6	Limousine, four-door	05 / 1969-07 / 1970
HT-81235	Premier Wagon V8	Station wagon, five-door	05 / 1969-07 / 1970
HT-81269	Premier Sedan V8	Limousine, four-door	05 / 1969-07 / 1970
HG-81135	Premier Wagon R6	Station wagon, five-door	07 / 1970-06 / 1971
HG-81169	Premier Sedan R6	Limousine, four-door	07 / 1970-06 / 1971
HG-81235	Premier Wagon V8	Station wagon, five-door	07 / 1970-06 / 1971
HG-81269	Premier Sedan V8	Limousine, four-door	07 / 1970-06 / 1971

199,039 of the Premier HK were produced, 183,402 of the HT and exactly 155,787 of the HG were built by July 1971 (all figures including the Belmont, Kingswood , Monaro , Brougham and 1-tonne models ).

Premier (HQ / HJ / HX / HZ, 1971–1980)

Premier HQ (1971–1974) Premier HJ (1974–1976) Premier HX (1976–1977) Premier HZ (1977–1980)
Holden Premier HQ (1971-1974)
Production period:	1971-1980
Body versions :	Limousine , station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 3.3-5.7 liters (88-202 kW)
Length:	4762-4940 mm
Width:	1880-1887 mm
Height:	1372-1397 mm
Wheelbase :	2819-2896 mm
Empty weight :	1336-1472 kg

Holden Premier HJ (1974-1976)

Holden Premier HX (1976-1977)

Holden Premier Wagon HZ (1977–1980)

A whole new series appeared in July 1971 in the form of the Premier HQ . While the wheelbase remained the same for sedans, it grew by 3 ″ for station wagons. The new front with the black radiator grille, which was divided by a horizontal chrome bar, was reminiscent of the Opel Rekord D , although the Premier model remained with the round double headlights in rectangular chrome frames. The tailgate was noticeably pulled down - similar to the one on the Mitsubishi Galant 1980 - which gave the car a somewhat inharmonious but very typical look. The rear lights were now in three rows. The luxury model Brougham had given way to the Statesman .

The Premier had a larger six-cylinder engine developed in-house with a displacement of 3,310 cm³ and 129 bhp (95 kW) with a compression of 7.8: 1 or 135 bhp (99 kW) with a compression of 9.4: 1 as standard equipment.

The first facelift for the Premier HJ came in October 1974 and gave the car a new front with flashing lights that were prominently positioned on the corners of the vehicle and a grille with a large-meshed net. The stern remained almost unchanged. The large 5.3 liter V8 small block from Chevrolet was abandoned. The in-house 5.05 l V8 got a higher compression ratio of 9.7: 1 and now achieved 250 bhp (184 kW).

In July 1976 there was another slight facelift to the Premier HX , which was mainly shown in a new radiator grille, which consisted of ten rectangular boxes arranged side by side. New Australian emission regulations made it impossible to continue using the previous units. Three engines were adapted to these new regulations, but lost a lot of power: the 3.3 l R6 only delivered 120 bhp (88 kW), the 4.15 l V8 163 bhp (120 kW) and the 5.05 l-V8 219 bhp (161 kW). All aggregates were highly compressed at 9.4–9.7: 1.

The third small facelift led to the Premier HZ in October 1977 . Again the most noticeable change was the radiator grille, which now again had a close-knit network. There were also better chassis.

model	designation	Vehicle type	Construction period
HQ-81135	Premier Wagon R6	Station wagon, five-door	07 / 1971-10 / 1974
HQ-81169	Premier Sedan R6	Limousine, four-door	07 / 1971-10 / 1974
HQ-81235	Premier Wagon V8	Station wagon, five-door	07 / 1971-10 / 1974
HQ-81269	Premier Sedan V8	Limousine, four-door	07 / 1971-10 / 1974
HJ-8WP35	Premier Wagon	Limousine, four-door	10 / 1974-06 / 1976
HJ-8WP69	Premier Sedan	Limousine, four-door	10 / 1974-06 / 1976
HX-8WP35	Premier Wagon	Limousine, four-door	07 / 1976-09 / 1977
HX-8WP69	Premier Sedan	Limousine, four-door	07 / 1976-09 / 1977
HZ-8WP35	Premier Wagon	Station wagon, five-door	10 / 1977-03 / 1980
HZ-8WP69	Premier Sedan	Limousine, four-door	10 / 1977-03 / 1980

The HQ produced 485,650 copies, the HJ 176,202. The HX series was built 110,669 times, the HZ series 154,155 times. While the Kingswood and the pickups and delivery vans in the WB series saw another edition, the Premier was discontinued in March 1980. (all numbers including the models Belmont, Kingswood , Monaro , Statesman and Eintonner ).

Some vehicles were exported to Japan without an engine. They were there by Mazda with a rotary engine and provided with rather limited success as Mazda Roadpacer sold.

Web links

Commons : Holden Premier - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

source

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