For international viewers 'Holden Gemini' is an Australian made version of the General Motors T-Car, manufactured as a RWD between 1974 and 1985. It is almost identical to the Isuzu Gemini. It is similar to the Opel Kadette (Europe), Vauxhall Chevette (UK) and a Pontiac and Chevy(?) T-1600 models in North America.
The pages below are sourced from HotRod Australia Magazine (Autumn 1998, pp12-15) and describe construction of a small hot rod based on a Ford anglia chassis, there are some bits of interrest to Locost builders - however consensus (of the Locost mailing List) is that the Gemini rear axle is too narrow to use on a Lotus Seven Replica based on the dimensions given in Ron Champions book. However there are people building smaller seven replicas using Gemini parts, including front suspension arms.
Other Aussie vehicles mentioned in the article include:
HQ Holden - a large Australia only RWD car of the 1970s, everyones Dad had one of these - also the car is the star of a legendary Australian comedy icon: "Kingswood Country".
Commodore replacement for Kingswood, released in 1978, styling matches Opel, but mechanically uses Aussie, USA or Japanese engines available with 4, L6, V6 and V8, has evolved from looking like an Opel Rekord/Senator hybrid, to current model which is larger and a uniquely Australian design (Station wagons and Utes have always been an Australian design, 2 door Coupe/'Monaro' version of current Commodore is planned for 2002...won't be sold in USA as Chevy are apparently to embarrased because they no longer offer a RWD V8 2 door).
Camira - an Australian made FWD General Motors J-Car of the 1980s (same as Isuzu Ascona, Vauxhall Cavalier etc), note every Aussies aunty has one of these...
LC Torana - small car roughly based on Vauxhall Viva, available with 4 cylinder, and in a long nosed body, 6 cylinder
LH Torana - late 70s medium car (but almost as heavy as HQ Holden, LH was supposed to mean "Light Holden"), Australian only available with 4, 6 and V8 (the pic is the 2 door, the 4 door looks like the HQ Holden after excessive use of rubbing compound...). PS: every aussies brother had one of these...
Click on the pages to open them, it may be easier to read if you save the documents, and manipulate them in Paint Shop (or something similar, don't ask me, I only know enough to get me in trouble):
INTERESTING "GEMINI-LOCOST" FACT:
According to Dave King of Sydney, Australia, the Gemini steering rack tierod ends, have the correct taper to match the Steering hubs/uprights of the TC/TD Cortina. Here is an email from Dave that summarises this:
I have a Gemini rack ( off TD ) that has tie rod ends that fit the TC / TD
Cortina uprights. ( Peter Crabbe is using the Gemini column with Escort
rack ).
The mounting of the rack is similar to the Escort.
The dimensions are as follows.
Steering arms 225mm
Rack 630mm ( ball joint to ball joint )
Mounts 255mm
3.7 turns lock to lock.
The input to the rack is splined via a fabric joint, however this should
not be a major problem.
