Holden Camira

Holden Camira
Overview
Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
Production	1982–1989 151,807 produced
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	GM J platform
Related	Buick Skyhawk Cadillac Cimarron Chevrolet Cavalier Chevrolet Monza (Brazil) Isuzu Aska Oldsmobile Firenza Opel Ascona C Pontiac J2000 Vauxhall Cavalier
Chronology
Predecessor	Holden Sunbird/Torana
Successor	Holden Apollo (Australia) Opel Vectra (New Zealand)

JB
Overview
Production	1982–1984 (85,725 produced)
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L Camtech (16LF) I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,577 mm (101.5 in)
Length	4,399 mm (173.2 in)
Width	1,668 mm (65.7 in)
Height	1,369 mm (53.9 in)
Curb weight	1,040 kg (2,290 lb)

JD
Holden JD Camira SLX wagon
Overview
Production	1984–1987 (36,953 produced)
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L Family II I4 1.8 L Family II I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,577 mm (101.5 in)
Length	4,409 mm (173.6 in)
Width	1,668 mm (65.7 in)
Height	1,359 mm (53.5 in)
Curb weight	1,060 kg (2,336.9 lb)

JE
JE Camira SL sedan
Overview
Production	1987–1989 (29,129 produced)
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L I4 (Family II)
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic (with torque converter)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,577 mm (101.5 in)
Length	4,408 mm (173.5 in)
Width	1,668 mm (65.7 in)
Height	1,359 mm (53.5 in)
Curb weight	1,086 kg (2,394 lb)

The Holden Camira is a mid-size car which was produced by Holden between 1982 and 1989. It was Holden's version of GM's J-body family of cars—GM's third "global" car platform. The name "Camira" comes from an Aboriginal word meaning "wind."

After an initial good sales run, Camira sales dropped significantly and the model was discontinued in 1989. The Holden Apollo, a rebadged Toyota Camry was introduced as the Australian market replacement, with New Zealand instead offering the European-sourced Opel Vectra. In all 151,807 Camiras were built (85,725 JBs; 36,953 JDs; and 29,129 JEs).

The original Camira, the JB series, was introduced in 1982 with a major trans-Tasman marketing campaign. The Camira replaced the Sunbird and Torana, although an interim four-cylinder version of the Commodore bridged the two-year production gap.

A station wagon version was introduced the following year, and its bodywork was exported to Vauxhall in the United Kingdom for the Cavalier wagon. Some Camiras were also exported to right-hand drive markets in Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia and Singapore. The wagon variant was specifically a Holden design, which Holden insisted should be part of the overall "J-car" program. A five-door hatchback, based on the Opel Ascona/Vauxhall Cavalier "J-car" was proposed for the Camira, but never made it to the production stage due to Holden's financial losses at that time.

There was only one engine, the carburettored, naturally aspirated, transversely mounted 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 64 kilowatts (86 hp). The transaxle offering was a four-speed manual on the SL and SL/X, with a five-speed unit specified to SJ and SL/E variants. A three-speed automatic was optional on all models. Power steering was optional from early 1984