10 Facts you may not have known about the WB
The WB Holden would replace the HZ and would ultimately be the final upgrade of the Kingswood series. It would be Australia’s last large car until the release of the VN Commodore in 1988. The WB was available only in the longer wheelbase ‘Statesman’ and the utility range. The WB sold alongside the Commodore lineup which at the time featured no luxury or utility variants.
A station wagon model was built as a prototype with the WB, but would never make it to the production line. The same for a regular WB sedan. Both were scrapped, the rationale for Holden was that the VB would cover the passenger sedan and station wagon models.
Ultimately the WB complimented the VB Commodore by adding in the variants that the Commodore did not cater to (Utility and luxury models). Because of this, it did not sell as well as the previous models, despite being on the production line.
With that being said however, it would go on to earn a reputation as a very reliable and solid car. A lot of its underpinnings traced back to the HQ Holden. Many were still driving around years later.
The WB hit the market after the fuel crisis of the late 1970’s. Large, heavy, powerful V8 cars were not as popular as they were a few years back. The more squared off front end design gave it more upmarket and luxurious look. Many buyers and journalists have noted that if the WB had hit the market after the HQ, with a full line up, in the early 1970’s it could have been an all time best seller for Holden.