Click the link below to go directly to the HX Manual Information page.
About the HX Holden
From the 1st July 1976 all passenger cars produced or imported into Australia had to comply with ADR27 A, the new Australian Design Rule. This was part of the Federal Government’s new anti -pollution legislation. This meant introducing new engines, or modifying existing designs to meet the new rules. Holden’s new HX series, a facelift of the previous HJ, was included. The new series gave Holden a chance to upgrade its full -size range in many other areas including noise isolation, ride quality and revisions to interior and exterior styling.
Holden’s XT4 6-cylinder and V8 engines built to comply with ADR27A were based on existing HQ/HJ units and utilised exhaust-heated in let manifolds, some with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems. Earlier Holden 6 and V8 engines had water-heated inlets. Camshaft timing, distributors and carburettors were revised and a hot-air intake system added to 6-cylinder engines. A hot-air intake system had been used on V8 engines since late 1973 HQ models.
The range of model variants continued from HJ. Major changes were the deletion of the Monaro GTS and LS coupes and addition of a Kingswood panel van. However, the 2-door coupe made a brief return in September 1976, upon release of the Holden LE (Limited Edition). LE was last in the line of Holden’s pillarless coupes, a tradition begun in 1968 with the HK Monaro. The HX LE coupe was fully equipped with virtually everything that GM-H had to offer. A 5.O Iitre V8, TH400 auto, limited -slip differential, dual exhaust, sports suspension, and GTS style steering wheel.
The lower spec HX models gained an improved instrument layout, similar to the HJ Statesman with square surround speedo, instead of the strip style. A water temperature gauge became standard Kingswood equipment for the first time. All models received the long overdue multi-function column stalk, controlling headlight high/low beam as well as windscreen wipers and washers.
Styling changes were kept to a minimum. All but the Statesman, Belmont and base commercial models received a new vertical bar grille with bold centre badging. Belmont and base commercial models had grilles similar to their HJ equivalents. Both Statesman models gained a new, finely spaced horizontal bar grille design. All sheetmetal remained unchanged.
November 1976 brought the release of the Holden 50th Anniversary sedan and wagon models. These were to commemorate the establishment of GM in Australia in 1926, even before the merger with Holden Motor Body Builders. The 50th Anniversary models were Kingswoods (Kingswood badges deleted) upgraded with T -bar shift Tri-Matic auto, radial-ply tyres, colour matched HJ Premier style wheel covers, heated rear screen (sedan only), rubber bumper insert strips, reclining front bucket seats, full carpeting, two-tone metallic paint finish and 50th Anniversary badges.
Another limited edition release was the Kingswood V8 Deluxe (sedan and wagon) in mid-1977, built in similar vein to previous Vacationers. Many normally optional goodies were standard and as the name suggests, powered by the 4.2-litre V8 engine with Tri-Matic auto. They were finished in a choice of two-tone paint schemes.