Holden Camira History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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The Holden Camira (JB series) arrived in August 1982 as the first front-wheel-drive Holden — the Australian version of GM's global J-car family, closely related to the Opel Ascona C. It was Holden's move into modern front-drive architecture, with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, and marked a significant engineering departure from the rear-drive Kingswood/Commodore tradition.
Despite a strong initial launch, Camira sales declined significantly and the model was discontinued in 1989 after 151,807 units across JB, JD, and JE series. It was replaced by the Holden Apollo — a rebadged Toyota Camry produced in a GM-Toyota joint venture — reflecting Holden's strategic shift toward sourcing models from global partners.
Generations
JB series · JB
The original Camira — sedan, then wagon; 85,725 built.
JD / JE series · JD / JE
Revised and refreshed later series; 66,082 built combined before discontinuation.
1988 Photo: “1988 Holden Camira (JE) SL station wagon (25951206474).jpg” by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Sedan
- Wagon
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