The Crown Jewel: History of the Holden Premier

For generations of Australians, the name “Premier” signified more than just a car. It was a statement of arrival, a symbol of success, and the pinnacle of locally manufactured luxury. It was the default choice for the company director, the preferred transport for the wedding party, and the aspirational dream parked in the driveway. The Holden Premier, in its various forms over five decades, was the undisputed king of the Australian road. Its story is not merely a chronicle of automotive evolution; it is a narrative interwoven with the nation’s own economic fortunes, its changing tastes, and its ultimate shift from a manufacturing powerhouse to an import-dependent market.

The Genesis of a Legend: The EH Premier (1964-1965)

While Holden had offered “Special” models since the 1950s, the Premier nameplate officially debuted in August 1964 with the EH series. This was a calculated and strategic move. As Australia’s economy boomed, a new class of affluent consumers emerged who desired more than just reliable transport; they craved comfort, prestige, and style. The EH Premier was designed to capture this burgeoning market.

Positioned at the top of the EH range, it was visually distinguished from the standard Holden 3000 by a bold, twin-slot grille, deluxe hubcaps, and an abundance of chrome trim. Under the bonnet, it boasted the new “black motor” 149 cubic inch (2.45-litre) six-cylinder engine, a significant step up in performance.

The interior was where the Premier truly earned its stripes. It featured an all-new instrument panel with a glovebox, a two-spoke steering wheel, and the novel inclusion of a cigarette lighter. Most importantly, it offered a choice of trim: standard vinyl or optional cloth and vinyl, with seat belts available as an extra-cost option—a nod to the growing focus on safety. The Premier also introduced the “Hydra-Matic” automatic transmission as a factory-fitted option, a feature that cemented its image as a smooth, effortless cruiser. In just 14 months, over 31,000 EH Premiers were sold, establishing the nameplate as an instant success.

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The Standard of the Nation: The HD & HR Premier (1965-1968)

The HD Premier, released in October 1965, built upon this success. It was a longer, lower, and wider car, adopting a more “finned” and jet-age aesthetic. The Premier grille became even more elaborate, a signature Holden look that would evolve for years. The big news was the introduction of the “Storm” 186 cubic inch (3.05-litre) six-cylinder engine, which, with its higher compression, delivered a substantial 114 horsepower. This engine, coupled with the optional “Powerglide” two-speed automatic transmission, made the HD Premier a genuinely powerful family car.

The HR Premier, launched in March 1967, was a major facelift that solidified the model’s dominance. With extensive safety features like padded dashboards, sun visors, and improved seat belts made standard, Holden marketed it as “The Car That Cares.” The HR Premier’s grille was a masterpiece of chrome, and its rear end featured bold “haunches” that gave it a powerful stance. It was the quintessential “boss’s car” of the late 1960s, a rolling symbol of Australian corporate hierarchy.

The Great Leap Forward: The HK & HT Premier (1968-1971)

The late 1960s saw Holden make its most significant engineering leap: the introduction of a V8 engine. The HK Premier, launched in January 1968, was the first to offer this new powertrain option. It was a car of immense presence, riding on a longer wheelbase and featuring a ” Coke-bottle” profile that was immensely popular. The HK Premier came standard with the 186 six, but the options list was revolutionary: buyers could choose the new Chevrolet-sourced 307 cubic inch (5.0-litre) V8. This created a new performance-oriented tier, the Premier V8.

The HK range was extensive, but the Premier sat proudly at the top. An even more luxurious variant was introduced called the Brougham. Essentially a Premier with a longer boot to create a true six-seater interior with front bucket seats and a centre armrest console, the Brougham was the closest thing Australia had to a domestic limousine. The HK Premier was also the first to offer the “Hydramatic” four-speed automatic transmission with the V8.

The HT Premier, launched in January 1969, was an incremental update. It featured a revised grille and tail-lights, and a new three-speed “Turbo-Hydramatic” automatic transmission replaced the previous four-speed unit. The Premier V8 remained the performance king, while the Brougham was subtly upgraded with features like a vinyl roof becoming standard. A special “Monaro” version of the HK and HT also existed—the GTS 327—which borrowed the Premier’s luxurious interior and added sporty trim, creating a true performance luxury hybrid.

The Pinnacle of Brougham: The HQ & HJ Premier (1971-1976)

The HQ Premier, released in July 1971, is widely regarded as one of the greatest-looking Holdens ever. It was a completely new car, with a radical semi-monocoque chassis that improved ride and handling. The styling was clean, modern, and elegant, with a distinctive “gilled” side profile and a simple, broad grille. The HQ Premier was offered in both a six-cylinder and a V8 version, with the 308 cubic inch V8 becoming the flagship engine.

The Premier range was split into two distinct trim levels for the first time:

• Premier: The standard luxury model.
• Premier Brougham: The ultimate in comfort and status, distinguished by its vinyl roof, plusher “deluxe” trim, and an even more isolated ride.

The HQ was a phenomenal success, becoming the benchmark for Australian luxury. It was refined, spacious, and beautifully trimmed.

The HJ Premier, launched in November 1974, was a facelift that moved the model further upmarket. The grille became a single, wide horizontal bar with intricate “Premier” lettering. The interior saw the introduction of a plush “velour” trim option, woodgrain dash accents, and the now-iconic “fingertip” control stalks for indicators and wipers. The Brougham variant was now available with a column-shift automatic, freeing up the front bench seat for a flat floor and enhanced passenger space. The HJ Premier was the last of the classic, rounded Holdens, and it remains a beloved classic for its sheer comfort and effortless cruising ability.

The Luxury Arrogance: The HX & HZ Premier (1976-1980)

The HX Premier, released in 1976, reflected the styling trends of the era: sharper lines, more angular windows, and a flatter roofline. This was a heavier car, complying with new safety standards and often fitted with emissions control equipment. The Premier and Brougham continued, but the cars felt larger and more ponderous. The HX Brougham was the height of “Sofitel” luxury, with velour seats, cruise control, and a focus on isolating the driver from the outside world. Power steering was now standard across the range.

The HZ Premier, launched in October 1977, was the final and most evolved iteration of the big, rear-wheel-drive Holden luxury sedan. The HZ was a significant update, featuring an upgraded suspension system with rear semi-elliptic springs and improved front suspension geometry. This was the “Radial Tuned Suspension” (RTS) that transformed the handling and ride of these large cars, making them safer and more predictable to drive.

The Premier and Brougham names now existed on two distinct sedan bodies. The Premier was a five-seater, while the Brougham was officially a six-seater with the column-shift, plush bench seats, and a vinyl roof. The HZ Premier Brougham was the last word in Australian luxury motoring, a car that had perfected its formula over a decade of development.

The Age of the Silhouette: The VB-VK Commodore Premier (1980-1988)

The oil crisis of the late 1970s hastened the end of the big Kingswood-based cars. In 1980, the Premier name was retired on the big sedan and transferred to a new, smaller platform: the VB Commodore. Based on the German Opel Rekord, the Commodore Premier was a stark contrast to its predecessors. It was smaller, more fuel-efficient, and European in its dynamics.

The VB Commodore Premier (1980-1981) offered a 3.3-litre six-cylinder engine. The following VC Commodore Premier (1981-1982) saw minor cosmetic changes. The VK Commodore Premier (1982-1984) was a more significant update, introducing a more angular, “Sheer Look” design and, for the first time, a four-cylinder engine option (the “Starfire” six was still the main premium offering). The Premier trim level for the VK included velour trim, a tachometer, and a more luxurious interior than the base SL/E. The term “Brougham” was also briefly used on the top VK model, which featured a “landau” vinyl roof and was aimed squarely at the traditionalist buyer. However, the Premier nameplate disappeared from the Commodore range after the VK, replaced by the “Berlina” in the VL series.

The Revival of a Legend: The WH Statesman/Caprice (1990-1996)

After a six-year hiatus, the Premier name was reborn, but not on a Holden. The Holden-derived brand, Statesman, was revived in 1990 with the WH series. The WH Statesman was a long-wheelbase version of the VN/VU Commodore, designed to fill the void left by the big family sedans and station wagons. At its launch, the top model was named the Statesman Premier. This car was a modern interpretation of the classic formula: long, sleek, and comfortable, with a plush velour interior, the 5.0-litre V8 engine, and a quiet, refined ride. It was a niche product but successfully re-established the Premier badge as a symbol of executive comfort. The subsequent WS Statesman (1994-1996) continued the Premier name, with updated styling and the introduction of the new Gen III V8 in its final years.

The Final Chapter: The WL Statesman/Caprice (1996-1997)**

The final car to ever carry the Premier name was the WL Statesman, launched in 1996. By this time, the “Caprice” name had been reinstated as the top-of-the-line model, and the Premier was the slightly less expensive, more fleet-oriented sibling. The WL Premier was powered by either the 3.8-litre V6 or the 5.0-litre V8. It was a comfortable and capable car, but it was the end of the road. In 1997, the Statesman and Caprice were discontinued, and with them, the Premier nameplate faded into history for the final time.

Future Outlook and Conclusion

Today, the Holden Premier is a celebrated icon. Its legacy is carried on only by the name “Caprice,” which itself was discontinued and then revived as a limited-edition, import-only model in 2018 before being quietly retired. The idea of an Australian-made, rear-wheel-drive, six-litre V8-powered luxury sedan is now a thing of the past. With the closure of Holden’s manufacturing operations in 2017, the Premier has no spiritual successor.

The future of the Premier is purely in the hands of restorers and collectors. Prices for well-preserved HQ and HZ Premiers, particularly Broughams and V8s, have soared. They are cherished not just for their design and comfort, but for what they represent: a time when Australia built its own dream cars, and when a “Premier” was the pinnacle of domestic achievement—a car that truly was “Australia’s own.”