whats the diff

[HK1837]

I'd be very surprised to find any production HJ commercial with Belmont badges. The limited production cars which are those in the sales brochures don't have them.

[wbute]

They definitely had different quality of bench seat and from memory Belmont never had a radio as standard.

No. They didn't. First standard radio was HJ Statesman. Then HX Premier, GTS, LE and Stato.

[davegmh]

Despite what is said above by some very respected opinions, I believe that the Belmont name did, initially at least, make an appearance in HJ. I have a ute in factory paint (parts car) that wears Belmont badges (12/74 I think), but I also think I have some other holden material at home, I'll dig it out.

Sandaro, my research tells me that you are spot on.

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No. They didn't. First standard radio was HJ Statesman. Then HX Premier, GTS, LE and Stato.

Fair enough, thanks.

[wbute]

I'd be very surprised to find any production HJ commercial with Belmont badges. The limited production cars which are those in the sales brochures don't have them.

Just looking through Dr Terry's Holden book. I know the HX Sandman ute in the brochures does not have tonneau cover hooks. But neither does the HJ Holden and HX Holden, HZ Holden ute pictured in this book. Why not?

[davegmh]

Was looking at a HX base model ute the other day. The old bloke selling it said he bought it new and hadn't done anything to it. Never been in an accident. But it had a HJ grille which he assured me was how it came new. Is this correct. ?

[wbute]

HX base had the HJ Grill. They also had HJ hubcaps.

[HK1837]

Just looking through Dr Terry's Holden book. I know the HX Sandman ute in the brochures does not have tonneau cover hooks. But neither does the HJ Holden and HX Holden, HZ Holden ute pictured in this book. Why not?

HJ does in the brochures for both Ute and Kingswood Ute and also the Kingswood Sandman ute in the same brochure. But as you say HX Ute and HX Sandman ute don't have the side clips in the brochure photos. Both of these cars will be limited production cars (I have the HX Sandman ute recorded) so maybe they thought they'd come up better in the brochures without them? The red HZ ute in the brochure is without them too, but there is no guarantee this is actually a HZ. Yet the HZ Sandman ute in the brochure does have them.

[HK1837]

No. They didn't. First standard radio was HJ Statesman. Then HX Premier, GTS, LE and Stato.

There you go, HX Premier and GTS look like the first regular production Holdens to get a radio as standard fitment. I was thinking it was the LE which should have been if it was built when it was supposed to be (ie as a HJ). And I guess that makes the HJ Statesman the first GMH built vehicle to get a radio as standard equipment? Unless an LH Torana beat it (which I don't think it did)?

- - - Updated - - -

Was looking at a HX base model ute the other day. The old bloke selling it said he bought it new and hadn't done anything to it. Never been in an accident. But it had a HJ grille which he assured me was how it came new. Is this correct. ?

Here is one: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1977-Hold...p2047675.l2557

[Dr Terry]

Not correct, re the radio.

The first Aust production Holden to get a radio as standard was mid-way thru the HQ series. In Feb 1973 when the HQ was given its 1973 trim upgrade & the GTS/4 dr was released, the Statesman DeVille gained a push-button radio as standard. Yes, Byron I realise a Statesman DeVille isn't a 'real' Holden, but anyway.

Also, possibly due to the fact that the small car war was hotting up between the locals & the Japanese cars, the Torana LJ DeLuxe (4-cyl), got a radio as standard at that same time.

On the subject of tonneau covers, I'm not sure about Sandman utes, but from HK to WB the normal Kingswood always had a tonneau cover as standard & it was an extra cost option for non-Sandman Belmonts & base model utes.

Dr Terry

[wbute]

Sorry Dr Terry, I didn't go far enough back in your book! True Statesman in HQ was first. Apologies.

It was the lack of Tonneau cover hooks not the lack of cover. The utes have no hooks and no locators for the rib at all. Just seems odd they left them off.