1974 HJ Holden. Sept 09

It was distinguished by different grilles, wrap-around front and rear lights, larger bumper bars and slight revisions to the front end sheet metal.

Frontal styling was squarer, giving a bolder, more masculine look, while the twin headlights reflected an American influence. The pattern and design of the Premier badge on the rear pillar was an exact Cadillac copy as was the crest bonnet emblem.

Interior changes included full foam seats, a new instrument panel, a revised ventilation system and upgraded equipment levels.

The biggest selling variant, the Kingswood, now had a 3.3-litre engine and power assisted disc brakes as standard equipment. A 'Kingswood Deluxe' package included the most commonly specified options while keeping the total price under $5,000.Later in 1974, the HJ version of the Statesman - Holden's longer wheelbase luxury sedan - was announced.

The De Ville became the base Statesman and an even more upmarket Caprice version was announced. This boasted more luxury equipment than any car Holden had previously produced.
"Sandman'versions of the panel van and utility were strongly marketed to increase Holden's presence in the fast expanding recreational market.

Interestingly, HJ Premier body shells were exported to Mazda in Japan where they were fitted with 13B Wankel rotary engines. This hybrid became Mazda's top of the line domestic market model, the Roadpacer..

1974 HJ Holden
Engines: 2.84-litre six cylinder '173',3.3-litre six cylinder '202', 4.2-litre V8 '253' and 5.0-litre V8 '3.08'.
Transmissions: Three speed manual gearbox, fourspeed manual gearbox, three speed trimatic automatic transmission and threespeed Turbohydramatic 400 automatic transmission (only with 5.0-litre '305'V8).
Models: Belmont sedan, Belmont stationwagon, Kingswood sedan, Kingswood station wagon, Kingswood utility, Kingswood Sandman utility,Kingswood Deluxe sedan, Premier sedan, Premier station wagon, Holdencab/chassis truck, Holden panel van, Sandman panel van, Holden utility, Sandmanutility, Monaro Coupe, Monaro GTS coupe, Monaro GTS sedan, Monaro LS (LuxurySports) coupe, Statesman De Ville sedan and Statesman Caprice sedan.
Prices when new: $3,594 for Belmont six cylinder sedan, $4,748 Statesman.
Dimensions: Length 4834mm, Wheelbase 2819mm, Width1874mm.
Identification: Similar body to HQ; Kingswood still has separate grille and headlights, but grille is raised rather than recessed,vertical front wrap-around turn indicators are now mounted above bumper bar and wrap-around rear tail lights are fitted; Premier has quad headlights fitted in surrounds which span indicators and grille.
Total number built: 176,202