Holden SUNBIRD

218 registered in New Zealand · 1977–1981 · 93% from Not Known

The Holden SUNBIRD is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 218 registered across model years 1977 to 1981. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 1.9L 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 SUNBIRD.

Select Year

218 On NZ Roads
1.9L Engine

Fuel Types

Holden SUNBIRD fuel type breakdown: PETROL 98%, DIESEL 2%.

Fleet Age Profile

How many Holden SUNBIRD 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 SUNBIRD fleet age profile: 1977: 26, 1978: 75, 1979: 53, 1980: 45, 1981: 19.

Drivetrain

Engine Size

Holden SUNBIRD engine sizes: 1.9L 38%, 1.9L 12%, 5.0L 6%, 5.0L 5%, 3.3L 4%.

Imported From

Holden SUNBIRD imported from: Not Known 93%, Australia 4%, New Zealand 3%.

Colours

BLUE 51 (23%)
GREEN 39 (18%)
RED 27 (12%)
BROWN 17 (8%)
WHITE 16 (7%)
BLACK 15 (7%)
GOLD 15 (7%)
ORANGE 14 (6%)

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

Where They Are in NZ

Holden SUNBIRD regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 24, WAIMAKARIRI: 16, CHRISTCHURCH: 13, TAURANGA: 12, DUNEDIN: 10.

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 SUNBIRD are there in New Zealand?

There are 218 Holden SUNBIRD vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1977 to 1981.

What body type is the Holden SUNBIRD?

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

Are Holden SUNBIRD cars imported or NZ-new?

93% of Holden SUNBIRD 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.