My issues with GM-H stem more from the beancounter revolution within and while they did do some great things in the 80's at GM-H the accountants forgot an old business mantra....
Counting money is one thing, but making it is another thing altogether.
And for this the company has paid dearly with I believe until more recently HSV being the companies saviour.
I also think that the dumping of the 253 and 308 were well overdue and the small block Chev engine (Which was on offer to Holden from the late 60's) is their saviour in many aspects from emission compliance to bringing excitement back to Holden.
And considering there were commercial Holdens (Utes) that came from the factory in the late 70's with 350 Chevs and the ease with which SB Chevs are fitted to the early Commodores there was no excuse for not adopting what is arguably the most popular SB V8 in automotive history.
Chrysler and Ford both used US Engines from day 1 with the entire Ford V8 lineup from early Y blocks thru to 302/351 Cleveland and Windsor and Chryslers 318, 340, 360, 383 plus the 225 cube Slant 6 (Better than a Hemi 6 IMO BTW) all being US designed and sourced power plants.
Where Holden only used bibs and bobs in Premiere's, Broughams of the 60's and 70's and a handful of State Electricity commission (Vic) utes in the 70's persisting with their SB range.
Dont even get me started on the 3.8 Buick V6 they scabbed from the rubbish bin in the US when there were far better units on offer (Although id have started by utilising the 305 Chev)
Historically GM-H have made bad choices and then dressed the product up to hide their choice fobbing them off on their loyal buyers and although both Ford and Chrysler have done the same from time to time GM-H almost turned it into an art form.
1977-78 General Motors wanted to take over GM-H as it was deeply in the poo and i along with most of their long term designers and engineers (Some being family members) all believed it would have been a great thing for the company and client base.
Instead we got the Starfire 4 cyl VB Commodore and Camira (Not actually a bad car but unsuited to Oz) compliments of Vauxhall and Opel, The Gemini compliments of Isuzu along with the Rodeo commercial range and that hilariously awful peoplemover/commercial van The Holden Shuttle.
Now we re examine why Holden resisted the GM bailout......... Because they wanted to keep their lineup with a high Australian content lol
Obviously using fine Aussie companies such as Isuzu, Opel and Vauxhall.
Anyway their finally sorted their stuff out, adopted the 350 Chev (Although they fiddled with it causing all sorts of issues) and applied it with the TH700 auto to their existing large car platform producing commodores and Statesman's that were economical and once again fun to drive.
Something they should have done in 1979.
