The Holden Premier was produced for Australasia between 1962 and 1980 and was always the most luxurious version of the mainstream Holden. Until 1968 it sat above the Standard and Special; from 1968 to 1980 it topped the Belmont and Kingswood range.
Holden Premier at a glance
| Maker | Holden, Australia |
|---|---|
| Production | 1962–1980 |
| Position | top of the mainstream Holden range |
| Base model to 1968 | Holden Standard and Special |
| Base model from 1968 | Holden Belmont and Kingswood |
| Key feature from 1968 | quad-headlight grille |
| Typical fittings | bucket seats, extra exterior trim, carpeted mats, armrests, centre console |
| Gearbox | automatic transmission, standard or available depending on series |
| X2 option | more detailed instrumentation and a higher output engine on HD and HR |
| Export | Mazda Roadpacer, Japan, 1975–1977 |
| Cancelled | 1980, with the arrival of the Commodore |
History of the Holden Premier
Above the Standard and Special
The Premier name appeared in 1962 as the luxury version of the Holden Standard and Special, and it stayed at the top of the ordinary Holden range until 1968. Then, with the HK series, the model hierarchy changed: the Belmont replaced the Standard, the Kingswood replaced the Special, and the Premier became the upmarket version of the Belmont and Kingswood.
From 1968 the Premier could be told apart from the other two by its quad-headlight grille, a treatment that became the car’s signature. The usual Premier fittings were standard bucket seats, extra exterior trim, carpeted floor mats, armrests, a centre console and an automatic transmission, in greater or lesser quantity depending on the series.
The X2 option
With the HD and HR models an X2 option was available, adding more detailed instrumentation alongside a higher output engine. The same specification could also be ordered on the Special, so the Premier’s advantage was mainly in trim and equipment rather than outright performance.
Monaro LS and the Roadpacer
Along with the HQ Premier in 1971, Holden introduced an LS variant of the Monaro coupé, specified almost identically to the Premier range. From 1975 the Premier was also exported to Japan as a Mazda, fitted with a 13B rotary engine and badged as the Mazda Roadpacer; production stopped in 1977 because of a lack of sales.
The end
The Premier was cancelled in 1980 as Holden rationalised its large range with the introduction of the smaller Commodore. With it went the quad-headlight luxury Holden that had anchored the top of the range for 18 years.
Design and features
- Top of the range: the most luxurious mainstream Holden in every series from 1962 to 1980.
- Quad headlights: the Premier’s distinguishing grille from 1968 onwards.
- Luxury fittings: bucket seats, a console, carpeted mats and extra brightwork.
- X2 package: better instrumentation and a more powerful engine on the HD and HR.
- Rotary export: the Mazda Roadpacer of 1975–1977 used a 13B rotary engine.
Holden Premier versions
- Premier over the Standard and Special (1962–1968): the original luxury Holden.
- Premier over the Belmont and Kingswood (1968–1980): with the quad-headlight grille.
- X2 (HD and HR): optional instrumentation and higher output engine.
- Monaro LS (1971): a coupé specified almost identically to the Premier.
- Mazda Roadpacer (1975–1977): the Japanese export with a rotary engine.
The Premier sat above the Holden Kingswood and used the HQ body in its last decade. More cars are in the Holden collection.
Video: HOLDEN PREMIER JAVA MUFFLER
Video by qq101012 on YouTube.
Sources
- Holden Premier, English Wikipedia: years, models, fittings, exports
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