I get that, but it is a mid series update where the current vehicle got updated when a new Holden series was released. Like LH when HJ got released, LX when HZ arrived, HJ when LX arrived etc.
Not a Series II.
HQ 1973 update was pretty significant, even had the new GTS sedan come with it.

The significance is the total change in colour and trim. LH saw the HJ 308 engine change but LX saw the massive change in engines with HX.

The HQ 1973 update was far more significant than air cleaners! ADR27 changes were around 1974 model release anyway.

HZ SL/E wasn't a change, just a limited edition.

Some XT5 engine bits ushered in with VB like longer V8 valley bosses, cable. clutch operation, afaik longer water pumps etc. Didn't think the longer rods though, I thought they debuted in Starfire 4 in 1979-ish.

Edited by user Saturday, 22 July 2017 7:04:43 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Always wondered exactly when that started.

Sep 1973 I think ADR was, Ford went the same without the air breather oil cap.

HZ SL/E Statesman was a much better car no more HZ Caprice from then on, she got the sports dash and steering wheel.

I thought that it was the HJ V8 that the longer valley head bolt casting came to be so.

When the starfire came out all 6 cyl got the same stronger rods 1/9/1978 when QL change to ZL & XZL prefix.

HB update/69 model was not in line with another release, unless I am missing a Holden release in September 1968. There was a trim update with HK release in January 1968, which was the HK style trim.

When Updated in September 68, the HB got HT style trims even though the HT was still 9 months from release.

Holden also refer to the two variations (67 and 69)as pre and post energy absorbing column in the parts catalogue.

Warren

Yes, a myth. At release the only colours were Silver Mink, Warwick Yellow, Bright Blue and Picardy Red. There were others ordered, but the stock order colours were those listed.

Yes, you would have to agree that both the Sept. 68 HB Torana upgrade & the 73 HQ upgrade were worthy of a Series II tag but they didn't get one. GM-H even released all new sales brochures & a new workshop manual for the newer HB.

I was probably responsible for calling the 69 Torana a "Series 2" for my first book back in the 90s, so I'll take he blame. I gave the revised model a separate chapter because it was different in so many areas & was struggling to find a name & called in the "Series 2 HB".

When the Torana update was announced GM-H promoted it as the "1969 Torana". Also it really was a serious upgrade. It gained revised badges (some new some repositioned), new interior trim, new instruments, the addition of a 4-door variant, dual circuit brakes, a new collapsible steering column & steering wheel. Arguably this was more change than the EK had over the FB & it earned a new model series name.

Dr Terry

Edited by user Sunday, 23 July 2017 5:24:24 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

AFAIK the long water pumps & also revised fan blades were introduced to comply with ADR28A (1/1/81). ADR28A was a limit on engine noise, which required the fan re-design. This & the increased fitment of factory a/cond saw GM-H take the opportunity for the long overdue improvement in the strength of the water pump & bearing.

In typical GM-H fashion these would have been phased into production during late 1980.

Dr Terry

Is the HB "II" really that different though to many others? For example the major HJ update in 1976:

Monaro GTS and LS coupe dropped.
Holden Sandman ute dropped.
3.3L and front discs became standard on most HJ vehicles (2.85L and drum brakes very much restricted to only Holden and Belmont with M15 3spd although you could get a cab-chassis with LD1, M22 and JL2). There were also some special low volume vehicle "packages" available to certain States, mainly for taxi and fleet commercial usage.
New paint colour range (colour chart A626) with mostly new colours.
New trim.
CD4 intermittent wipers becomes standard on many vehicles.
Large restrictions on driveline combinations across the board.

Fair call, agree that GMH saw it as different therefore probably right. Still not a SeriesII though! Is this the first time GMH did the whole "model year" change thing that GM normally did? What I mean is for example "1967 Camaro", vs "1968 Camaro"". I know the Camaros in this case had differences but were still pretty much the same thing, like the HB I guess.