Holden SPECIAL

432 registered in New Zealand · 1953–1991 · 77% from Not Known

The Holden SPECIAL is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 432 registered across model years 1953 to 1991. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 2.3L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the SPECIAL.

Select Year

432 On NZ Roads
2.3L Engine

Fuel Types

Holden SPECIAL fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%, OTHER 0%.

Fleet Age Profile

How many Holden SPECIAL vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Holden SPECIAL fleet age profile: 1963: 66, 1964: 80, 1965: 17, 1966: 60, 1967: 83.

Drivetrain

Engine Size

Holden SPECIAL engine sizes: 2.3L 22%, 3.0L 20%, 2.4L 10%, 2.4L 9%, 2.9L 6%.

Imported From

Holden SPECIAL imported from: Not Known 77%, Australia 16%, New Zealand 6%, Other 0%.

Colours

BLUE 104 (24%)
GREEN 89 (21%)
RED 56 (13%)
WHITE 48 (11%)
BROWN 36 (8%)
GREY 29 (7%)
YELLOW 20 (5%)
BLACK 15 (3%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Holden SPECIAL regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 58, CHRISTCHURCH: 30, HAMILTON: 16, DUNEDIN: 15, WAIMAKARIRI: 14.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Holden logo
Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Holden SPECIAL are there in New Zealand?

There are 432 Holden SPECIAL vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1953 to 1991.

What body type is the Holden SPECIAL?

The Holden SPECIAL is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: station wagon, utility, light van. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Holden SPECIAL cars imported or NZ-new?

77% of Holden SPECIAL vehicles in New Zealand originated from Not Known. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.