FEATURE - 1977 Holden HX Kingswood Deluxe
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Courtesy of Collectable Classics SA
You know a car has transcended its role as mere transportation when it becomes part of popular culture. Mustangs and Corvettes are the obvious examples, featuring in countless songs and films. You can add the Mini and VW Beetle to this group, too. Locally, the FJ Holden lent its name to a 1977 movie, but for Aussies of a certain age, the one car that became more than just a car was the Kingswood, thanks to Kingswood Country.
Politically incorrect to modern eyes (“Money on the fridge, wog!”), Kingswood Country was a big hit in its day. Centred around Kingswood-loving (and we mean, really loving) suburban dad, Ted Bullpitt, the TV sitcom ran for six seasons in the 1980s. Nostalgia for the show saw a follow-up series, Bullpitt!, aired more than a decade later.
The show’s producers could have easily called it Falcon Country, given the fact that Ford’s family car had been in the Australian market for longer than the Kingswood (and would survive for much, much longer), but for the very Aussie Ted Bullpitt, few would argue that a Holden, and specifically a Kingswood, was a better fit.
Bullpitt’s love for his Kingswood famously saw him refuse to let anyone else drive it. “You’re not taking the Kingswood,” followed by comedically ludicrous reasons why – “I’ve just polished the dipstick,” “I’ve just shampooed the battery,” “I’ve just Mr Sheened the roof rack,” etc.
It’s somewhat ironic that Kingswood Country came along when Holden was about to consign the Kingswood nameplate to history. The first episode aired in January, 1980, only a few months before the last Kingswood-badged sedan was built.
An Aussie Favourite
The Kingswood’s place in pop culture came from its position as the family car of choice for hundreds of thousands of Aussies; a role it cemented soon after its debut in 1968. Part of the all-new HK Series, the Kingswood replaced the Special, while the Belmont nameplate replaced the entry-level Standard. The Premier carried over from the HR Series as Holden’s upmarket rival to the Ford Fairmont, with the luxury Brougham introduced to counter the Fairlane. The Monaro was another new addition, combining the same front sheetmetal as the sedans with a sporty, two-door fastback body.
This model heirachy – Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, Brougham and Monaro - would continue though the HT and HG Series. The arrival of the completely restyled HQ Holdens in 1971 saw the Brougham replaced with the Statesman. Subsequent series would see the Monaro and Belmont discontinued, but the Kingswood was a constant, offered through the HJ, HX and HZ Series. And while there were no Kingswood sedans after 1980, a Kingswood ute was still available on the HQ-based WB platform until the mid-’80s.
Stuck in the Middle
It's not widely known today, but the HX Holden was never meant to be. According to Norm Darwin’s 100 Years of GM in Australia, GM-H’s long-range planning in the 1970s would see the HQ replaced by the mildly restyled HJ in 1974, with an all-new ‘WA’ platform to be introduced in 1978. The HJ went ahead as planned, but uncertainty over the market for large sedans in Australia, compounded by concerns over fuel economy in such cars, ultimately led GM-H to pursue the ‘V-Car’ program that resulted in the Commodore. As such, the HX and HZ Holdens would be stop-gap measures until the Commodore was ready for local release.
GM-H was also contending with new government regulations in this period, the most famous (or infamous) of which was Australian Design Rule 27A. Effective from July, 1976, ADR 27A required all locally-built cars to “limit fuel evaporative and exhaust emissions . . . in order to reduce pollution”. Caps on fuel evaporative and exhaust emissions produced by a vehicle had to be met in order for it to be approved for sale.
History records Ford and Chrysler’s response to ADR 27A was positive, but GM-H’s was more of a band aid, meeting the emissions rules at the expense of performance, smoothness and economy. This approach reflected GM-H's commitment to the Commodore, with most resources going to that, rather than the HX Series.
A Mild Makeover
Released in July, 1976, the HX Holdens weren’t bad cars, they just weren’t as good as they could have been. The fact that they were a stop gap was reflected in the minimal styling changes, which consisted of a new grille design, new hubcaps, black windscreen wiper arms and some badge changes outside.
Inside, there was a new dash layout, with a combination indicator stalk introduced. Under the skin, sound insulation was increased, vibration reduced, steering ratios revised (power steering still optional on the Kingswood) and power front disc brakes became standard.
Engine options were reduced to the ‘3330’ 3.3-litre (202ci) six as standard, with 4.2-litre (253ci) and 5.0-litre (308ci) V8s optional on most models. Already something of a slug by this stage, the ‘2850’ (173ci) six was dropped as it’d be even worse with the mandatory anti-pollution gear added.
A three-speed column manual was still the standard transmission for the 3.3 and 4.2, with a four-speed floor shifter and three-speed Tri-matic auto (column or floor) optional. The 5.0 V8 could be optioned with a Turbo 400 auto, but not the Tri-matic. Diff ratios mostly carried over from the HJ and varied depending on engine selection.
Obviously, choosing a floor shifter made front bucket seats mandatory, but the HX Kingswood made buckets standard, regardless of column or auto shift, with a bench seat optional.
The HX Series saw the Kingswood nameplate offered on a Holden panel van for the first time, reflecting the market's desire for something more than the bare bones model and less lairy than the Sandman.
Two Specials
By 1976, GM-H were well versed in releasing special editions to generate dealership traffic, and the HX would be no exception. In November, 1976, a ‘50th Anniversary’ model was released to celebrate 50 years of GM in Australia, with the Kingswood Deluxe offered just before the HZ Series was introduced in October, 1977. GM-H had previously offered a Kingswood ‘de Luxe’ on the HJ Series.
An “almost Premier”, the first de Luxe included existing options, like the Tri-matic auto, wider wheels, a tint/laminated windscreen, rubber bumper bar inserts, front bucket seats, additional instrumentation and a transistor radio. Available on the HJ Kingswood sedan and wagon, the de Luxe also included two-tone paint, with the roof section in a contrasting or complementary colour to create a vinyl roof look for less cost.
The second iteration of the Deluxe (the change in capitalisation was deliberate) that came on the HX Kingswood saw the 4.2 V8 and Tri-matic fitted as standard, along with a floor console and push-button radio. The same tint/laminated windscreen, two-tone paint, rubber bumper inserts and front bucket seats as the HJ version were also included, along with wheel trim rings and a remote rear view mirror (driver’s side). Sedans got a heated rear window, with wagons adding a power tailgate window.
Most of these features were already available as options (with many standard on the Premier), but the one exclusive on the HX Kingswood Deluxe was the identifying badging on the front guards and bootlid/tailgate.
As the HX Kingswood Deluxe was not a numbered limited edition, it’s impossible to know how many were produced, although some online sources say around 500 sedans and 100 wagons were built. If accurate, that means the Deluxe accounted for less than 1 per cent of the HX Series’ total production run of 110,669 units.
Mick’s Motor
The 1977 HX Kingswood Deluxe wagon featured has recently been put on consignment with Collectable Classics in Strathalbyn, South Australia. The consignor, Mick, is an SA local and the car’s third owner. He’s also a Holden man through and through, with a particular love for Holden wagons.
“I had a HZ wagon before this one, and a HG wagon before that – both Kingswoods,” Mick recalls. “And a HR Premier wagon was my first car.”
Mick purchased this wagon out of Queensland in 2010; the culmination of a two-year search for the right vehicle. Apparently, this first owner covered very few kms, with the second owner adding even less to the mileage, while hoarding a treasure trove of trim and mechanical parts that was so extensive, they had to be crated to send with the car.
Mick’s work as a specialist brickie was taking him to Queensland at the time, so he tried to co-ordinate an inspection while up there, but following recommendation from a mate who had seen the wagon in the metal, he committed to buy it sight unseen. While Mick was in transit to Queensland, the Kingswood arrived in South Australia - to an unsuspecting missus!
Adding a Bit More to More
Decoding this car’s VIN shows it was built at GM-H’s Acacia Ridge plant in August, 1977, finished in Hacienda Blue with a Deauville Blue top, 253 V8, Tri-matic auto and all the standard HX Kingswood Deluxe features. The engine, trans and diff are all believed to be original to the car.
Just as the Deluxe offered a bit more than the standard Kingswood, this example offers a bit more than the Deluxe, including a GTS steering wheel, windscreen visor, rear venetians and lower springs. All of these were fitted by the previous owner, while Mick added a set of extractors (that the second owner supplied) and air suspension: “Because I was doing some towing, I put air shocks in the rear. That and the extractors are all I’ve done to it.”
The car’s never been repainted under Mick’s ownership, nor has the interior been retrimmed, which is pretty remarkable given its current condition and the fact Mick used it as a daily for the first couple of years.
With around 76,000kms as purchased, the odometer now reads 87,127km. Mick’s regular work interstate means the car's being used less and less, with sometimes a year or more going by without driving it. “I work away for maybe eight months of the year,” Mick explains. “Which is why the car’s still in such good nick.”
That limited driving time, along with a recently-purchased boat, means Mick’s now reluctantly putting the Kingswood on the market.
All Aussie Offering
While the HX got tarred by GM-H’s response to ADR 27A when new, it’s not really a factor these days. Mick puts its reputation for reduced fuel economy into perspective by explaining the Kingswood is far less thirsty than his LS-powered Holden Adventra LX8.
When asked what he loves most about this Kingswood, Mick says driving it, and even though he’s parting with it, it’s still his favourite car.
“Of all the old cars I’ve had, it’s the most drivable,” Mick says. “I could drive that car to Victoria without it breaking a sweat – I know it will make it.
“The more you drive it, the better it gets!”
For Sale
This 1977 HX Kingswood Deluxe wagon is available from Collectable Classics in Strathalbyn, South Australia.
With a 253 and Tri-matic, this car is a great family weekend cruiser and is in outstanding condition for its age. Listed mileage of 87,127km is believed to be genuine.
A selection of mechanical and trim parts will be offered with the car, including the factory headers and suspension. Contact Ben at Collectable Classics on 0411 744 190 for more details on what’s included.
Asking price for this rare wagon is $39,999.
See the advert online HERE.
