Holden’s famous 179 badge first appeared on the boot lid of the EH Premier, launched in August 1963. This model featured a brand new 2.95 litre (179 cubic inches) six-cylinder engine teamed with a Hydramatic automatic gearbox, boasting over 50 percent more horsepower than the 2.2 litre motors fitted to earlier Holden models.
It was a small badge but young enthusiasts could identify it from great distances. With practice you could spot one from the back of a moving bus.
This is the only car badge to inspire a crime wave. Shortly after the release of the EH it was noted that 179 badges were magically disappearing from boot lids in the middle of the night. These either re-appeared on earlier model Holdens or were turned into belt buckles. Theft was such a serious problem that some Premier owners resorted to welding on the badge or simply removed it to avoid potential damage.
The main reason for theft was that the badge was seen as an essential accessory for anyone creating their own Holden street machine out of their old 'Grey' engined EJ or earlier model Holden. This was easily done in those days by removing hubcaps and mufflers, adding a couple of carbies and an extractor, plus go-faster bits like track rods, stick-on speed stripes and a twin exhaust pipe extension. The 179 badge was the final touch - a signature, if you like - because it warned cars behind that yours was no ordinary EH. Yours was red hot - even if it didn't actually have the new, larger capacity, seven-main-bearing 179 engine.
As early as 1965 speed shops were selling 179 badges separately (seven shillings and sixpence each, plus sixpence postage) to meet the demand.
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