1978 Holden Kingswood HZ review from Australia and New Zealand

This car has been very reliable; I do a lot of miles with work and expect the car to just go and not let me down.

Transmission cooling lines to radiator - one sprung a leak thru them rubbing together. Fixed by bronze welding - cost $5.

Minor stuff like a dash globe etc.

Nothing major, though.

I have owned about 65 cars ranging from American cars through many performance Fords and Holdens.

I like my Kingswood because it just does what its supposed to, nice and comfortably.

It was a bit slow when I first got it (standard 202, automatic), but now it has a worked X-u1 motor, 5 speed and LPG so it's powerful, economical and most of all, fun.

It is totally bog stock on the outside down to the standard ride height and hubcaps, and South Aussie Cop Car Blue paint (it was originally a police car), so it really freaks people out at the lights as it blows cars into the weeds.

I think its saving grace is Radial Tuned Suspension (and non stock gas shocks); it handles very flatly, steers well (now that I've taken all the freeplay out the steering box) and has pretty good brakes stock.

And, believe it or not, it makes a great off-roader! I've taken it thru dunes, down tracks, and even made a few tracks of my own - never been bogged, never seen a hill it couldn't make.