Holden Gemini RB

Introduction

By 1985 the wonderful little Gemini only had another 2 years of life in it, but in truth the TG was really the last of Gemini's and certainly the last of the "T" cars.

Now replaced by an "R" series front wheel drive, the number of models and trim levels may have been a give away that the General was intending to phase out the car.

Far from the heddy days when the "Gem" was available in Sedan, Coupe, Wagon and Panel Van, now your choice was limited to sedan only SL/X and better equipped SL/E models (unless of course you were a fleet buyer, in which case the SL was available).

The switch to front wheel drive did provide the RB with better interior space than its predecessors, and had the General offered a hatchback version, the story of the RB may well have been far different.

Both models were now fully imported from Isuzu in Japan, however they were well equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, cloth trim, carpet, AM/FM stereo cassette/radio, digital clock and a split fold rear seat and the SL/E could be optioned with power steering.

With the competition selling hatchbacks by the dozen, and the Gemini now only available in sedan form, GMH actively marketed the rebadged LB Astra hatch (Nissan Pulsar) - which in it'self was another nail in the Gemini's coffin.

At the time the then Federal Minister for Trade and Industry John Button was restructuring the local motor industry, and this involved local manufacturers sharing models.

Soon to be known as "The Button Plan", this rationalisation was no doubt also partly to blame for the demise of the "Gem".

In USA the RB Gemini was sold as Isuzu I-Mark and the Chevrolet Spectrum. In Canada it was known as the Pontiac Sunburst and in Chile as Chevrolet Gemini.