1980 Holden Gemini TE review from Australia and New Zealand

This particular Gemini has been extremely reliable for a car made in 1980.

The engine has been rebuilt twice - 191,000 kilometres and 351,000 kilometres.

The head gasket blows about every 100,000 kilometres.

The heater element corrodes about every four years and starts leaking.

In 1993 I discovered that the boot floor was rusted so I got a piece of floor pan from a wreckers, cut the rusted piece out and had new piece welded in. I now know to keep an eye on it.

Up until I started using unleaded petrol, mufflers used to last about eighteen months. Since changing to unleaded petrol, mufflers last three to four years.

There is rust in each door. When I checked it out, I found a strip of rubber door trim in the bottom of each door which was blocking the drain holes. I can only assume that it was put in there by a disgruntled worker at Holden when the car was being built. I keep the rust under control with fish oil.

The car still has the original transmission and diff which have never needed repair.

Front wheel bearings need replacing about every 80,000 -90,000 kilometres.

I have had this car for just over 22 years now and I think I will have it for quite some time to come.

I have been doing my own servicing and tune ups since 1984. I have picked up a few tips.

Use NGK spark plugs.

Use ignition points for a Toyota Tercel. They are ventilated and make a big difference.

Grease the front wheel bearings every 12 months.

The heater element is easy to change. It is just a matter of undoing two hoses and two screws. Then sliding the heater element out and the new one in. You might have to tie some wiring under the dash board up, because it gets in the way. Be careful of the instruction in the Scientific Publications workshop manual, because they say to remove the whole heater element which takes ours.