Holden HR
| Holden HR | |
|---|---|
| 1966 Holden Special Sedan | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Holden (General Motors) |
| Also called | Holden Standard Holden Special Holden Premier Holden Utility Holden Panel Van |
| Production | April 1966 – January 1968 |
| Designer | Joe Schemansky |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door coupé utility 2-door panel van |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | 3-speed manual 4-speed manual 2-speed Powerglide automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 106.0 inches (2692mm) |
| Length | Sedan: 181.1 inches (4600mm) Wagon: 180.2 inches (4577mm) |
| Width | 70 inches (1778mm) |
| Height | Sedan: 58.3 inches (1481mm) Wagon: 58.5 inches (1486mm) |
| Curb weight | Standard Sedan: 2601lb (1178kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Holden HD |
| Successor | Holden HK |
The Holden HR is an automobile that was produced by Holden in Australia from 1966 to 1968.
Introduction
[edit ]The Holden HR range was released in April 1966, replacing the Holden HD series which had been in production since 1965.[2] In addition to a revised grille, the HR featured a reworked roofline and larger rear window (on the sedans), revised rear lights (on sedans and wagons) and changes to almost all exterior body panels.[3] Other changes included revised ball joint front suspension,[4] widened track, improved interior trim and woodgrain interior finish for the Premier models.[3] Six months after the launch of the HR, all models were given a safety upgrade with the addition of front safety belts, windscreen washers, reversing lights, padded sun visors and a shatterproof interior rearview mirror.[3]
Model range
[edit ]The Holden HR passenger vehicle range offered four-door sedan and five-door station wagon body styles in three trim levels with the six models marketed as follows:
- Holden Standard Sedan[5] (HR 215)[6]
- Holden Standard Station Sedan[5] (HR 219)
- Holden Special Sedan[5] (HR 225)
- Holden Special Station Sedan[5] (HR 229)
- Holden Premier Sedan[5] (HR 235)
- Holden Premier Station Sedan[5] (HR 239)
The HR commercial vehicle range was offered in two-door coupe utility and two-door panel van variants, marketed as follows:
-
Holden Standard Sedan
-
Holden Special Sedan
-
Holden Special Station Sedan
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Holden Premier Sedan
-
Holden Premier Sedan
-
Holden Premier Station Sedan
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Holden Utility
-
Holden Utility
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Holden Panel Van
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Holden Panel Van
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Engines and transmissions
[edit ]The two versions of the inline, six-cylinder Holden Red motor were carried across from the HD series, both with increased engine capacity and a higher compression ratio of 9.2:1.[3] [6] The 114 bhp, 161 cu in (2.6 L) six was standard in all models except the Premiers.[5] [7] A 126 bhp 186 cu in (3.0 L) six was standard on Premiers and optional on all other models.[5] [7] The 145 bhp twin carburettor "X2" version of the "186" was initially available as an option on all models.[5] [7] The "X2" was replaced by the 145 bhp "186S" in June 1967 after Holden exhausted the remaining X2 intake manifolds; the new version was fitted with a single, two-barrel carburettor.[3]
A lower compression (8.2:1) version of the 161 cu in (2.6 L) six was also available.[6]
The 194 cu in (3.2 L) and later 230 cu in (3.8 L) Chevrolet six-cylinder engine was fitted for the South African market.[1] This longer engine required the firewall to be scalloped out. This availability began partway through the HR's existence, with the 194 introduced for the 1967 model year.[8] This was coupled to a fully synchronized, column-shifted, three-speed manual transmission sourced from Opel in West Germany.[9] The Premier Automatic sold in South Africa retained the Australian engine, at least until 1969. The South African Holden Special had power disc brakes in front as standard from 1967.[10]
A three-speed manual gearbox with column change and synchronization on the top two gears was standard on the HR, with a two-speed "Powerglide" automatic transmission available as an option.[11] An Opel [11] four-speed manual gearbox was offered from June 1967.[12]
Production and replacement
[edit ]A total of 252,352 vehicles were produced up to January 1968 when the HR was replaced by the Holden HK series.[13]
The price at release was A2286ドル for the 161 cu in (2.6 L) Special Sedan manual and A2856ドル for the Premier Station Sedan manual.[6]
The HR was the first Holden to be assembled at General Motors New Zealands brand new plant in Trentham in 1967.
Body ID Plate Decoder
[edit ]HR Holden Australian Body Plate example
References
[edit ]- ^ a b c 1970 Holden HT Brougham, Restored Cars #174, Jan-Feb 2006, pages 27 to 28
- ^ Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, pages 238-241
- ^ a b c d e Holden Heritage, Eighth Edition, 1998, pages 34-35
- ^ Holden HR Technical Specifications at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 21 December 2013
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Turbo Smooth Holden, GMH sales brochure for Holden HR Sedans and Station Sedans, April 1966
- ^ a b c d e Bebbington, Terry; Malik, Michel A. (1994). 45 Years of Holden. The Australian Publishing and Printing Company. p. 37. ISBN 0-947216-31-6.
- ^ a b c d e New Holden, the Turbo-smooth profit pair!, GMH sales brochure for Holden HR utility and panel van, April 1966
- ^ Wright, Cedric, ed. (August 1968). "A car owners' report: Holden (1960-66)". CAR (South Africa). Vol. 12, no. 7. Cape Town, South Africa: Central News Agency Ltd. p. 28.
- ^ "1967 Holden HR Special Wagon". Joe's Golden Gasoline. Leisure Ride Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022.
- ^ Holden Special (press release), Port Elizabeth, South Africa: GM South African Pty. Ltd., 1967
- ^ a b Holden HR at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 24 August 2010
- ^ Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, page 240
- ^ Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, pages 240-242