1978 Holden Kingswood HZ from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

* Water pump broken.

* Power steering unit keeps leaking.

* Hand brake is dumb, always rely on the gear.

Everyone needs to realize that the old Holdens are the toughest cars on the Aussie roads. If they were as fuel efficient as the cars these days I think most people would have one.

People still believe these cars where something special because people held onto them longer than the newer models. The Holden Kingswood was built during a time when it was cheaper to fix an old car then it was to buy a new one. New cars are more affordable nowadays than ever before.It's now uneconomical to keep an old car on the road because many repairs, such as driveline work, steering, brakes and suspension cost more than the vehical is worth.It's cheaper to go and buy a 7 year old Commodore with many creature comforts and still in good condition than it is to fix an old nail like a Kingswood.

So don't be fooled these cars where and still are sub standard. They only lasted as long as they did because of market forces rather than any superiority in design or reliability.

These cars were built to last, be easy to repair and be all round durable. Problem is one they are old now and fuel economy is a downside and handling and road holding is poor. They also give a false impression of security, they are solid so as long as what you hit crumples you're golden, but if you hit something that's solid as well you're in big trouble. Still an Icon of Australia who proved in the early days that only Australians (well GM's Australian division) knew what it took for a car to last here. Even if it meant making something very utilitarian with very American styling.

The HZ Model, is historically now, the last of the "real"

Holden's, the true Holden tradition ended in 1980, so almost

a whole Generation ago, these cars were abandoned by GMH, in favour of a "World class car", The Commodore's.

I recently acquired a HJ Kingswood from my family, cost me

nothing, my first thought was to try and sell it, because I

just bought a late model, with all the creature comforts, etc.

But, I've got rid of my thoughts of selling it, it's an incredible piece of work, simple and so rugged, it's a good back-up car, when the late models electronic gadgetry stuffs

up, not if, When!!

The Kingswood is one of those vehicles that will last 50 years+ if maintained properly. In their day they were a good car, and were good value for money. I have a HZ which has been in the family since new, and I still use it as a daily driver.

However, a typical new car can comprehensively beat it in just about every respect, except for ease of serviceability and mechanical simplicity.

I'm 47 and have owned an hq premier for 20 years.

It's a trimatic 308 it owes me about 7000 dollars over that period and is a dailey driven car.

I always replace anything needed being a mechanic helps,I've seen the clock go round twice.

I'm familiar with late model cars and 5 to 7 year old cars really are value for money compared to buying a "classic".

Older models are fine if driven carefully in regards of "modern" conditions eg driver arogance is the real killer not speed.

The new breed of cars are certainly refined,balanced however they lull certain people into a false sense of security and saftey,road noise is down,engine and transmission noise is down however stereos have become louder blocking out one of natures primary senses.

No matter what you like or drive taking care of it is of paramount importance, personaly I find driving later model cars stuffy and fake we don't really use all the "gagets" in them.

Ill keep my old car untill its banned,petrol prices,rego etc don't bother me,people may whinge, but we all take cars for granted just look at how cheap old japanese stuff is,you can buy an old burner that will go on and on no matter what make it is.see ya Davo.

I have a Holden Kingswood. It has a 430hp v8 in it

It goes fast and I like it better than modern motor vehicles

I owned a hz kingswood when they were new. it must be said they were a good car in there day, but now is not there day. compared to late model camrys magnas commodores falcons etc they are well out of date now. they give the illusion of safety, but really are not. i makes me cringe when people say ill buy one and do it up. these cars are not an investment. spend your money on a newer car and pay off a house. i have fond memories of my kingswood, but in todays world it would be hopelessly impractical. also when these cars were new people used to look at them and say they don't build them like they used to.

If they still made these cars today nobody would buy one and holden would go broke. Holden didn't become a market leader these days by building old outdated cars. Wake up these cars are old.

I believe that Kingswoods are one of the best cars that Holden has ever made, they are designed beautifully, they look mean and they are extremely reliable. One such instance is my dad's '78 Kingswood, he has owned it since it was 6 months old and had 600kms on the clock and all he has replaced on the body is the front panel he replaced with a Premier one purely for looks, and the tailgate with an electric one. He has never replaced the engine, trans. or differential even though it has approx. 700,000-800,000kms on the clock although I can't really confirm it as the odometer is now going backwards!!! Although it is purely from lack of maintenance. I believe Holden was right when they named them Kings...woods.

700,000-800,00 kays on an original engine. yeah sure mate.I've owned plenty of holdens. AND they won't do that. no way.please tell the truth.

All you w@nkers whining about old cars and comparing to new ones! LOL. Some of us actually enjoy older cars and tinkering with them, it doesn't make us povo or odd. Some like prossies, some like being drunk and boasting about it to friends, some like gambling, some like Morris 'Dilemma' Iemma (somehow), we like older cars!. I own an immac 1964 AP5 Val, and an immaculate 1974 HJ Statesman Caprice (which is more comfy then a 2006 Caprice model). I also own a 2006 model V. W Golf GTi as my drive car. Everyone has different interests, get over yourselves.

I have 2 HZ wagons and a HQ Ute the HQ is lowered, mags, v8 350 chev motor, and it has metallic purple strips down the side and flat tray, twin long toolboxes and you can fit a yz 250 and a crf 200 on the back in beetween the toolboxs, one of the other hz is white and it has holden in BIG lettres accross the side in black and it is a v8 350 chev aswell my other hz is red has a bull bar and has fox written down each side and a massive spy sticker on the back window that I take to my sons motor bike races races sometimes or I take my patrol, but the hz is way better HOLDEN RULZ MAN.

I'm Looking to buy a HZ kingswood and I've heard their bloody reliable, but one car all you left out was the bloody volvo 240. If ever there was a car built to last it was that one. Bloody reliavle, bloody safe (built in rollcarges) I have a 1975 volvo wagon and shes been around australia just recently. Just need to put a ford engine in em to make em go!

Owning both a 79hz and a 76hx I do like them more over modern cars yes new cars are powerful and efficient etc, but the old kingswoods have this feel to them.

Don't hate them they are probably older then most haters so RESPECT YOUR ELDERS!

Do it up may be against some, but I love my Blown 427 chevy powered HZ it cost an arm and leg and I won't get it back, but so what its my car and I like to drive. My HX is my daily driver she has 250000 on the clock she's stock as a rock cept for audio and yea. if people want to increase fuel econ remove the fan and install a electric fan, get a adapter plate and touque converter to run a 4 speed auto from a vn on it. we now have the near fuel of a eco tech vn and the style and class of the woody. new cars crumble yes, I have hit a lamp post at 45, I replaced the guard, some hammer work and she it all going again, crumble car is well crumbled that's it. I got some bruising cause I was being smart and wearing the seat built. crumple cars are for non seat belt wearers.

Just my thoughts.

I am 13 and the kingswoods are the best holden there is and I guarantee my first car will be a kingswood. they are tough reliable and if anyone out there thinks differant then that's your choice my favourate model is hg because they have a nice front. HOLDEN RULES GO HOLDEN.