Similar body to HQ, HJ and HX with seperate
grille and headlights on models other
than Premier
Handsome egg-crate grille featuring
Holden emblem mountaned center top
Kingswood SL and Premier have model
names at lower rear passenger side of
grille
All sedan models now feature handsome
slightly raised boot lid reserved for
Premier models only on HX
Body:
Unitary construction (Monocoque)
Exterior Dimensions:
Total Length:
Kingswood SL Sedan and Monaro GTS
Sedan: 190.7 inches (4844mm)
Premier Sedan: 192.0 inches (4877mm)
Kingswood SL Station Wagon: 192.8
inches (4897mm)
Premier Station Wagon: 193.4 inches
(4912mm)
Sandman Panel Van and Sandman Utility:
194.4 inches (4938mm)
Total Width:
Kingswood SL and Premier Sedans
and Station Wagons: 74.5 inches (1892mm)
Monaro GTS Sedan: 73.9 inches (1877mm)
Sandman Panel Van and Utility:
73.9 inches (1877mm)
Total Height at kerb weight:
Kingswood SL Sedan: 55.1 inches
(1399mm)
Premier Sedan and Monaro GTS: 55.0
inches (1397mm)
Kingswood SL Station Wagons: 55.7
inches (1415mm)
Premier Station Wagon: 55.5 inches
(1410mm)
Sandman Panel Van: 63.2 inches (1608mm)
Sandman Utility: 55.0 inches (1399mm)
Wheelbase:
Sedan and Monaro GTS: 111.0 inches
(2819mm)
Station Wagons and Sandman: 114.0
inches (2896mm)
Front Track:
Kingswood SL and Premier: 60.1 inches
(1526mm)
Monaro GTS and Sandman: 60.3 inches
(1532mm)
Rear Track:
Kingswwod SL and Premier: 60.5
inches (1537mm)
Monaro GTS and Sandman: 60.3 inches
(1532mm)
Kerb Weight:
Kingswood SL Sedan: 2960lb (1342kg)
Premier Sedan: 3062lb (1389kg)
Monaro GTS Sedan: 3253lb (1475kg)
Kingswood SL Station Wagon: 3145lb (1426kg)
Premier Station Wagon: 3242lb (1470kg)
Sandman Panel Van: 3177lb (1444kg)
Sandman Utility: 3045lb (1384kg)
Turning Circle:
Sedans: 39.7ft (12.1 metres)
Station Wagons and Statesman: 40.5ft
(12.3 metres)
Fuel Tank Capacity:
16.5 gallons (75 litres)
Instruments:
All models:
Speedometer (to 200 km/h) with integrated
odometer
Petrol gauge
Water temperature gauge
Warning lamp cluster including warning
lamps for brake system failure, hand
brake, high beam, turning signal,
generaotr and oil pressure on GTS
and Sandman
Premier and Statesman:
Clock (digital on Caprice)
Oil pressure gauge (Caprice only)
Battery Charge indicator
Monaro GTS:
Oil pressure gauge
Water Temperature gauge
Battery Charge indicator
Clock
Tachometer
3.3 202 Engine:
Capacity: 201.25 cubic inches (3.310
litres)
Type: Conventional, watercooled four
stroke, reciprocating piston type with
6 cylinders
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal,
inline
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv
with two valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Bendix-Stromberg single
barrel downdraft type carburettor
Bore and Stroke: 3.625 x 3.25 inches
(92.0 x 82.5mm)
Power:
Manual Transmission: 109bhp (81kw)
at 3900rpm
Automatic Transmission: 118bhp (88kw)
at 4000rpm
Torque:
Manual Transmission: 185lb-ft (251Nm)
at 1400rpm
Automatic Transmission: 185lb-ft
(251Nm) at 2100rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.4:1
253 4.2 Litre V8 Engine:
Capacity: 252.8 cubic inches (4.142
litres)
Type: Conventional, watercooled four
stroke, reciprocating piston type with
8 cylinders
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal,
Vee configuration
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv
with two valves per cylinder
308 5.0 litre V8 "High Performance"
four speed manual transmission:
Standard Axle Ratio: 3.36:1
Economy Option Axle Ratio: 3.08:1
Performance Option Axle Ratio: 3.55:1
Engine Combinations:
3.3 litre 202 standard on Kingswood
SL and Premier, mated to three speed manual
transmission. Optional four speed manual,
four speed wide-ratio manual or Tri-Matic
automatic. Tri-Matic standard on Premier
253 V8 standard on Monaro GTS and Sandman,
and optional on all lower spec models.
Standard with 3 speed manual (except GTS
with 4 speed manual) and optional four
speed manual or Tri-Matic automatic
308 V8 optional on all models, with
"High Performance" 4 speed manual
as standard, and Turbo-Hydramatic automatic
as option
Transmission Combinations:
Manual:
3 speed column change standard on
Kingswood
4 speed floor mounted transmission
optional, centre console optional
on Kingswood
Four speed all-syncromesh floor
mounted gearbox standard on Monaro
GTS
Automatic:
Tri-Matic 3 speed automatic standard
on Premier, optional on all other
models
Turbo-Hydramatic automatic optional
on Monaro GTS and Sandman
Top Speed in Gears:
202 6 cylinder HZ Kingswood Tri-Matic
automatic:
1st: 51 mph (82 km/h)
2nd: 74 mph (119 km/h)
3rd: 97 mph (156 km/h)
0-100 km/h: 13.0 seconds
Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres):
20.1 seconds
253 V8 HZ Premier Tri-Matic automatic:
1st: 44 mph (71 km/h)
2nd: 68 mph (110 km/h)
3rd: 101 mph (162 km/h)
0-100 km/h: 12.9 seconds
Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres):
19.8 seconds
308 V8 HZ Sandman Panel Van Tri-Matic
automatic:
1st: 52 mph (84 km/h)
2nd: 88 mph (142 km/h)
3rd: n/a
0-100 km/h: 9.6 seconds
Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres):
18 seconds
308 V8 HZ Statesman Caprice Tri-Matic
automatic:
1st: 48 mph (78 km/h)
2nd: 82 mph (132 km/h)
3rd: 103 mph (165 km/h)
0-100 km/h: 10.9 seconds
Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres):
18.6 seconds
Suspension:
Radial Tuned Suspension (RTS) introduced
for the first time, and includes:
Road springs with modified rates
and integrated overall balance
Shock absorbers with revised tuning,
larger piston diameter and revised
body mounts
Stabliliser bar at front increased
in strength and weight
New stabliser bar now fitted to
rear
Front suspension incorperates larger
front compression bumper
Revised front and rear bushes
New front control arm bracket
Revised front control arm location
Lower control arm bushings fitted
to rear axle
Front: Independent SLA type, coil springs,
stabiliser bar and direct acting tubular
telescopic shocks.
Rear: Live axle, four link system with
coil springs and direct acting shocks,
decoupled stabliser bar
Steering:
Energy absorbing steering column and
shaft
Recirculating ball type, ratio 25:1
Optional power assisted variable ratio
with hydraulic pump available to all models,
ratios from 18:1 to 11.7:1
Standard steering wheel is two spoked
soft grip oval design, standard on all
models excluding Monaro GTS and Sandman
GTS and Sandman fitted with three spoked
circular sports steering wheel,
Brakes:
Front: Hydraulic 10.9inch (276mm) power
assisted ventilated discs standard
Rear: Hydraulic 10.0 inch (254mm) drums
on all models excluding GTS
Rear: Optional 11.5 inch (254mm) rear
discs available on Kingswood SL and Premier
sedans, standard equipment on Monaro GTS
Wheels:
Short spoke steel disc wheels fitted
to all models excluding GTS and Sandman,
which were fitted with five spoke pressed
steel type slotted rally wheels
All models: 6.00JJ x 14
Tyres:
Kingswood SL and Premier: ER78S14 Radial
Monaro GTS: ER70H14 Steel Belted Radial
Holden HZ with Radial Tuned Suspension
"The Test" - Supervised by R.A.C.V and C.A.M.S:
(circa 1977)
You're about to see a compelling demonstration of a genuine automotive engineering
breakthrough. This is new Holden Kingswood SL, equipped like no previous Kingswood
- with Radial Tuned Suspension. Watch it through this snaking 'S', smooth, safe,
with a minimum of lean, average speed 75.96 kilometres per hour. Now watch some
competitive cars, same test, same driver. Chrysler CL Valiant, Toyota Cressida.
Here's Kingswood SL again. Now XC Falcon 500, 240K Datsun, TE Cortina Six. Watch
new Kingswood SL again, Holden's stabiliser bars and suspension components are
matched to the steel belted radial tyres - the Radial Tuned Suspension badge
means safety and confident road holding - only Holden has it. Now with push-button
radio, electric demister, quartz-halogen headlights. New Kingswood SL, with Radial
Tuned Suspension - drive a real change for a change, at your Holden dealers now!
Press Release from Holden on Radial Tuned Suspension: "All components are carefully
engineered to increase Holden's confident
handling."
The design of modern automotive suspension systems has reached a high degree
of sophistification in Holden vehicles. Through the use of advanced computer
simulation and technology, improved manufacturing materials and design, and highly
skilled automotive suspension engineers, GMH was able to develop Radial Tuned
Suspension.
Each suspension component - even the frame
and body it'self - had to be examined in
detail and re-engineered as required in order
to create RTS as a complete system. Neutral
handling behaviour is the most important
benefit of RTS, this means, in essence, that
Holden will do what you want it to, and nothing
unexpected will occur. By relocating the
front upper control arm bracket for positive
castor, we reduced understeer. In addition
we increased static camber and decreased
dynamic camber and toe change reducing the
tendancy of cars to "plough" toward
the outer edge of the corner. The front and
rear stabiliser bars reduce body lean and
are synchronised to transfer cornering load
for neutral handling behaviour.
RTS permits smooth ride without sacrificing good handling. Deeper four-coil suspension
contibutes smoothness and improved road-handling, while larger front compression
bumpers reduce dynamic suspension travel and improve ground clearance.
The re-tuned, larger diameter shock absorbers have less fade, retaining effectiveness
over rough terrain. As a result, tyres maintain contact with rough road surfaces,
the ride is smooth and the driver stays in control.
High response steering results from the reduction
of compliance, or "flex",
throughout the system. Holden's steel belted
radial tyres fitted on wide rims hold the
tread to the road surface while cornering,
rather than rolling under as do conventional
cross-ply tyres. Front and rear suspension
bushings are less compliant in cornering,
while retaining longitudinal softness for
smooth ride in normal driving.
High cornering force ultimately results from the degree of tyre adhesion to the
road. This is increased by the use of steel-belted radial tyres, and the rest
of the RTS system is designed to get the most from them. For one thing, the wheel
rims and tyres have a revised offset giving Holden a wide-track. Larger diameter
shock absorbers help keep the tyres on the road when it is rough. And again,
the re-engineered castor and camber retain the proper wheel geometery to get
the most from the steel belted radial tyres.
"Anti-dive" controls the amount of front end diving while braking for
a greater feeling of control. Reduced body roll (or "lean" in
corners) is accomplished by front and rear
stabiliser bars working togther with re-engineered
4-coil suspension.
Maximum straight-ahead stability is the result of several RTS suspension components.
Steel belted radial tyres, for example, are best in this characteristic. Where
conventional cross-ply tyres will tend to pull the car to the right or left in
tram tracks or pavement edges, the radial steel plies in Holden's tyres tend
to retain straight-ahead direction. Positive castor and negative camber also
help keep the wheels straight ahead without driver effort. And all of these characteristics
help retain straight-ahead stability in a sudden gust of wind, or the buffering
from a passing truck.
A few more benefits of RTS are worth noting. Our tests indicate that Holden's
steel belted radial ply tyres increase the kilometer per dollar investment ratio
in each tyre by 47%, and the fuel economy by 5% over the biased ply tyre. The
durability of the suspension system has been increased. Road noise and vibration
has been further reduced. And optional power steering has been redesigned for
improved on-centre feel and more predictable driving control.
But it is all the components working togther as one system, which have made today's
Holden the best handling cars and wagons we have ever built.
