The town of Daylesford was originally a gold-mining town back in the 19th century but the presence of so many mineral springs nearby – 80% of the state’s, in fact – meant the town eventually became a premier tourist destination. Today, the town center is a flurry of activity, even in the wintertime. There are artisanal chocolate stores, spas and art galleries throughout this small town but there’s also a small number of old, weathered buildings… and old, weathered cars.
Most of the town center looks like this: old but well-maintained. The cars are much newer but in similarly fine condition.
There are a couple of buildings that look a little worse for wear, albeit full of history.
This building on the main street seems to be missing its balcony and needing a lot of TLC.
This Holden Gemini also needs some TLC. Although it’s in better shape than yesterday’s Morris Minor, its paint has faded, its trim is falling off, its upholstery is ragged, and its cabin has become storage for various odds and ends.
The Gemini was our locally-built version of the global GM T-Car, most closely related to the Isuzu Gemini. Upon launch, it was immediately crowned Wheels Magazine’s Car of the Year because of its perceived balance of European flair and Japanese reliability. The engine was a 1.6 overhead cam unit imported from Japan, although manufacture of the rest of the car took place in General Motors-Holden’s old Acacia Ridge factory here in Brisbane.
The badge says this is an SL but I believe the “/E” has fallen off the end of that, based on the wheel design shared across all (Sunbird, Commodore, Statesman) top-spec SL/E Holdens. This is a 1978-79 TD-series sedan, the first Gemini with a five-speed manual transmission and Holden’s much-publicized Radial Tuned Suspension. This was the largest the Gemini range would ever be, offering the line’s last coupe but its first wagon and panel van. The latter two mated Opel Kadett stampings to the otherwise Isuzu-designed body.
The 1978-only SL/E sedan and coupe added velour seat trim, cut-pile carpet and faux wood interior trim. A three-speed Tri-Matic automatic transmission was optional. These were reliable little cars and continued to be souped up and hooned around years after they were replaced with the FWD RB-series (aka Geo Spectrum/Isuzu I-Mark).
I doubt this one will be painted lime green and drifted through industrial estates at night. Instead, it looks like it’ll keep soldiering on and providing loyal transport to its owner, even through the quieter parts of the year in Daylesford when the Mercedes-Benzes have returned to Melbourne.
Related Reading:
1976 Vintage R&T Review: Buick Opel by Isuzu – Once You Get Past the Name It’s Not a Bad Car
Curbside Classic: 1977 Chevrolet Chevette – An Econobox For Garden-Variety Americans
Curbside Classic: 1978 Opel Kadett City Berlina – The German Chevette
Sold in the US as “Buick Opel by Isuzu”. Destroyed whatever brand loyalty the Opel name had, simply by not being an Opel at all. Opel fans hated it.
Some people bought it, though. The Diesel version, with something like 60hp, sold a few copies as well.
I haven’t seen a Buick Opel by Isuzu in at least 20 years.
These Japanese Holdens came in diesel also, great fuel economy. But for some reason maybe the more aerodynamic frontal treatment the petrol powered Vauxhall versions were better on fuel than the Isuzu petrol cars.
A hippy’s tripper for sure. (Probably not trips as far as Melbourne..)
That’s definitely an SL. The SL/E’s had cast alloys, the exact same design from 13 inch on Geminis up to 15 inch on topline Commodores. These are plastic covers, which makes me think the old buggy mustn’t have too many miles on it, as wear and tear usually cracked them or turned them into gutter ornaments. Also, not enough brightwork around the side windows and no sign of a LH mirror ever being there, which the SL/E’s had. (My god I retain some unimportant facts. If only I could find the glasses case from 10 mins ago!)
I haven’t spoken to my hippy Hepburn mate Dougo for a few years – I wonder if he’s traded up? Inside and out, it sure looks like one of his cars, and the dents reflective of his driving interest and ability.
Great photos, William. Agree with all Daniel M said in Part 2 comments.
Another car that I would not have walked two steps out of my way to look at 20 years ago that I have kind of taken a liking to.
And maybe this is what the Morris Minor looked like ten years ago?
Nice “Chevette with a trunk”, 😉
Yeap as Justy said thats the lo grade Gemini with none of the luxury doo dads this car was badged Isuzu/Holden in New Zealand it has exactly the same body as the four door Vauxhall Chevette there is no Isuzu design features its pure Opel/Vauxhall from the windscreen back, of course it was more obvious in NZ as these cars shared showroom space with their Vauxhall stablemate which sold better new, survivors of both are quite rare now though in drier parts of the country I bet theres some still around, This is the only sedan Ive seen locally and its in Vauxhall flavour
Really enjoying this series William. I wish we had received these in Canada at the time, as opposed to the 4 door hatch Chevette. They are quite attractive.
I don’t mind the weathered architecture, as long there are no signs of vandalism or neglect, it lends a strong feel of authenticity.
I once carpooled back home from college with a girl that had one of our Buick/Opel by Isuzu versions in white with a burgundy interior. As I recall it was a diesel, I think many of them were over here (?). That’s all I can remember, I don’t even remember her name but strangely remember the interior color of the car…Misplaced priorities I guess.
Ehhh, wouldn’t you want Holden features and Japanese reliability?
This and the “3 wheeler” post have me wanting a scabby Chevette with a tasty engine transplant.
Fun little cars. The TD’s had lost a little performance from the earlier TX, but the TD’s went well enough. A Weber, some more timing advance and I could & did hose off a couple of chookcooker RX-7s. The fact that the panel van was the lightest of the range helped too. Room permitting, I’d gladly have one as a hobby car.