10 Facts you may not have known about the HZ
HQ, HJ, HX & HZ Holden Buyers Guide: What to Look for When Buying
Complete HZ Holden Restoration Parts Checklist
When the HZ Holden and Statesman were released – Australia in 1977
Australian Holden Part Finder
VT Commodore VT S
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| Years | 1997–2000 |
|---|---|
| Body | Sedan |
| Doors | 4 |
| Seats | 5 |
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The HZ Holden replaced the HX Holden in late 1977. It would be the last of the ‘H’ series Holdens which started back in 1965 with the HD Holden.
Cosmetically, it would be yet another minor change, with many being unable to tell the differences between the HZ and the HJ, which came 2 models earlier back in 1973.
The biggest change with the HZ? The introduction of Radial Tuned Suspension, or RTS. This upgrade drastically increased the cars performance on the road, especially under speed.
It remained as the signature ride and handling package up until the introduction of Independent rear suspension, introduced nearly 15 years later with the VP Commodore.
Possibly the most noticeable change to new car buyers at the time was the increase in standard equipment offered with the HZ.
With the Belmont model variant deleted and the Kingswood became the base model. Equipment levels received another upgrade a year into the production run in 1978.
During the HZ production run the Australian buying public saw the VB Commodore introduced. The VB Commodore, introduced as a ‘mid size’ car as opposed to the ‘full size’ car the HZ qualified as. The VB hit car showrooms around the country in November 1978.
The WB replaced the HZ in 1980.
Despite the HZ being phased out in favour of the smaller Commodore, there was still an expansice model line up that included three sedan variants, three wagons, two 2 door coupe utilities, two panelvans, one cab chassis utility and one 2 door coupe. The sandman was also available as an optioned up ute or panelvan.
Like the 3 previous models, the longer wheelbase Statesman sold alongside the HZ during its production run. With the HZ, the last station wagon model was sold by Holden in the ‘Full size’ class, until the VN Commodore in 1988.