In 1974 General Motors released the Isuzu Gemini
- their first small "World" car which was
sold under an astonishing array of makes and models.
Most Australians knew that the Holden Gemini was a
re-badged Isuzu, but were unaware the little car was
being sold in the USA as the Buick Opel and Pontiac
T1000, in Brazil as the Chevy Chevette, in the UK
as the Vauxhall Chevette and in Germany as the
Opel
Kadett.
In 1975 GMH began the manufacture of the Gemini in
Australia, and within a year of its release the little
Gemini had become the most popular car on the market
(no doubt helped by the low price tag and its being
named Australian Car of the Year).
The Gemini got its power from an Isuzu 1584cc 4 cylinder SOHC petrol
engine. A four speed floor mounted manual was standard,
but the car could be optioned with a Tri-matic auto.
Amoung the (for the time) luxury accessories that came
with this first Gemini as standard were front discs,
reclining bucket seats, carpet, fan boosted ventilation
and rack and pinion steering.
The last of the TX's
rolled off the production line in 1977 when, after
the usual makeover necessary to keep a car 'fresh'
in the mind of the public, the TC model was released.