1979 Holden Kingswood HZ SL 4.2 litre from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Solid and goes well considering its age

Faults:

New water pump needed a couple of years ago.

Leaking brake master cylinder replaced a couple of years ago.

New suspension bushes.

Overheating, so had radiator cleaned out - pretty well fixed it.

New hoses and fan belt.

4 new tyres.

Auto transmission can be thumpy, has been since I got it.

Minor rust behind the rear passenger door.

Paint is a bit faded after 30 years, can't really expect much else I suppose.

Oil goes black pretty quick, probably because it sat undriven for so long.

General Comments:

This car has been in my family since 1982 when my dad bought it second hand. He really looked after it, and I bought it from him in 1993, got the car and a caravan for $5,000. My previous car was a 1 litre Daihatsu Charade, so getting into a tank like this with a V8 and no power steering was a bit of a shock.

I drove it for 8 years until it needed a bit of money spent on it. It sat undriven in my garage for 6 years until we needed a second car, so I got the HZ back on the road. It's proven to be really reliable, and after the initial expense of getting it back on the road, it's needed almost no work.

It's roomy and comfortable, and ideal for a second car, except for the fuel consumption - I average 24 litres per 100km around town, which is expensive. I really enjoy driving it, its got a real hands on feel to it that my wife's late model Camry hasn't got. I'll keep driving it until something major happens to it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd April, 2009

1979 Holden Kingswood HZ 3.3 Litre from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Couldn't ask for more

Faults:

The starter motor froze once so I hit it with a pair of pliers, it now works.

A seal around the carburettor is dodgy. It leaks fuel and starts a bit rough.

Needs heaps of pumping to get it going in the morning.

A few minor cracks and broken plastic in the interior caused by a quick home job of a stereo installation.

Tires need replacing.

General Comments:

Under full throttle it goes well considering it is like 1.8 tonnes and has a 3.3 straight 6.

Pity it has 3 gears I would like more acceleration however it does it for me.

The 3 gears add a little more fuel consumption at 100Kph.

I have been in it at 165kph, then the road ran out so we stopped fast.

Even though this is my road car and you drive it everywhere I still find time to make my paddock look like aliens have visited.

My neighbors have dust in their yard now...

Brilliant reliable car considering it cost me $1000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st November, 2003

1979 Holden Kingswood SL 4.2 Leaded from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Prestige motoring

Faults:

My hydraulic power steering hose started to leak and needed replacement.

General Comments:

This car handles like a dream and feels like your driving a tank.

The 4.2 V8 has high potential when equipped with a four barrel carburettor.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th May, 2003

1979 Holden Kingswood HZ 253 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A two owner bargain

Faults:

It has a noisy water pump, but cheaply replaced.

General Comments:

I bought this 2 owner HZ Kingswood SL for $3800. It had done 155,000 km, it has a 253 with auto and power steering.

It is very beautiful drive and has not got a mark on it, inside or outside, a very original well kept car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th January, 2002