Holden had decided not to rest on its laurels, and has unveiled the brand new HD just two years after the EJ/EH has been introduced. Both styling and equipments have been carefully improved over the previous models, and these efforts generate strong sales during the very first months of the car’s existence, but unfortunately soon plummet. This reversal of fortune puzzles Holden’s management. Among many other possible reasons, some question the cleverness of the front wings, which extend so much forward that they render the bumpers useless and make themselves prone to damage in heavy traffic or while parking. Holden has decided to react and is presently studying a corrected version of the HD, to be put into production as soon as possible. It finally hits the market in April 1966 as the HR.
Holden Standard
The Standard is again Holden’s cheapest offer, mostly bought by fleet operators and a few cost-conscious individuals.
● Introduction: February 1965. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.4-litre, 95 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.4-litre, 100 hp; inline six, 2.9-litre, 115 hp; and inline six, 2.9-litre, 140 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 457 cm. Top speed: 135 to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden Special
The mid-range Special continues to guarantee to Holden the bulk of its sales.
● Introduction: February 1965. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.4-litre, 95 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.4-litre, 100 hp; inline six, 2.9-litre, 115 hp; and inline six, 2.9-litre, 140 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 457 cm. Top speed: 135 to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden Premier
Holden’s luxury offer loses most its pride as it is seriously downgraded with the introduction of the HD. Gone are such equipments as the standard automatic transmission or the leather seats (replaced by a plebeian “Morrokide” synthetic upholstery) which used to set the Premier apart.
● Introduction: February 1965. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.9-litre, 115 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: inline six, 2.9-litre, 140 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 457 cm. Top speed: 145 kph to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden Commercial
As it is the habit at Holden’s, the commercial vehicles based on the new model have been introduced a few months after the passenger versions.
● Introduction: July 1965. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.4-litre, 95 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.4-litre, 100 hp; inline six, 2.9-litre, 115 hp; and inline six, 2.9-litre, 140 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 457 cm. Top speed: 135 to 155 kph. Range: two-door utility pickup, two-door panel van.
Holden HR Standard
A strong rebuff to Australian pride, the HD’s disputed styling is corrected by a Detroit team in order to stop the car’s sales slide. The resulting vehicle is the facelifted HR. Furthermore, engine capacities have been increased, while some welcomed equipments (optional power steering, front seatbelts, limited slip differential) have been added.
● Introduction: February 1965 as the HD, April 1966 as the HR. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.6-litre, 108 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.6-litre, 114 hp; inline six, 3.0-litre, 126 hp; and inline six, 3.0-litre, 145 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 458 cm (station sedan), 460 cm (sedan). Top speed: 150 to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden HR Special
● Introduction: February 1965 as the HD, April 1966 as the HR. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.6-litre, 108 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.6-litre, 114 hp; inline six, 3.0-litre, 126 hp; and inline six, 3.0-litre, 145 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 458 cm (station sedan), 460 cm (sedan). Top speed: 150 to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden HR Premier
● Introduction: February 1965 as the HD, April 1966 as the HR. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.0-litre, 126 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: inline six, 3.0-litre, 145 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 458 cm (station sedan), 460 cm (sedan). Top speed: 150 to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden HR Commercial
● Introduction: July 1965 as the HD, April 1966 as the HR. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.6-litre, 108 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.6-litre, 114 hp; inline six, 3.0-litre, 126 hp; and inline six, 3.0-litre, 145 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 458 cm. Top speed: 150 to 155 kph. Range: two-door utility pickup, two-door panel van.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1965 – 1966 – 1967 – 1968
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Holden Standard
The Standard is again Holden’s cheapest offer, mostly bought by fleet operators and a few cost-conscious individuals.
● Introduction: February 1965. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.4-litre, 95 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.4-litre, 100 hp; inline six, 2.9-litre, 115 hp; and inline six, 2.9-litre, 140 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 457 cm. Top speed: 135 to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden Special
The mid-range Special continues to guarantee to Holden the bulk of its sales.
● Introduction: February 1965. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.4-litre, 95 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.4-litre, 100 hp; inline six, 2.9-litre, 115 hp; and inline six, 2.9-litre, 140 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 457 cm. Top speed: 135 to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden Premier
Holden’s luxury offer loses most its pride as it is seriously downgraded with the introduction of the HD. Gone are such equipments as the standard automatic transmission or the leather seats (replaced by a plebeian “Morrokide” synthetic upholstery) which used to set the Premier apart.
● Introduction: February 1965. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.9-litre, 115 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: inline six, 2.9-litre, 140 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 457 cm. Top speed: 145 kph to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden Commercial
As it is the habit at Holden’s, the commercial vehicles based on the new model have been introduced a few months after the passenger versions.
● Introduction: July 1965. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.4-litre, 95 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.4-litre, 100 hp; inline six, 2.9-litre, 115 hp; and inline six, 2.9-litre, 140 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 457 cm. Top speed: 135 to 155 kph. Range: two-door utility pickup, two-door panel van.
Holden HR Standard
A strong rebuff to Australian pride, the HD’s disputed styling is corrected by a Detroit team in order to stop the car’s sales slide. The resulting vehicle is the facelifted HR. Furthermore, engine capacities have been increased, while some welcomed equipments (optional power steering, front seatbelts, limited slip differential) have been added.
● Introduction: February 1965 as the HD, April 1966 as the HR. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.6-litre, 108 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.6-litre, 114 hp; inline six, 3.0-litre, 126 hp; and inline six, 3.0-litre, 145 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 458 cm (station sedan), 460 cm (sedan). Top speed: 150 to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden HR Special
● Introduction: February 1965 as the HD, April 1966 as the HR. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.6-litre, 108 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.6-litre, 114 hp; inline six, 3.0-litre, 126 hp; and inline six, 3.0-litre, 145 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 458 cm (station sedan), 460 cm (sedan). Top speed: 150 to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden HR Premier
● Introduction: February 1965 as the HD, April 1966 as the HR. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.0-litre, 126 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: inline six, 3.0-litre, 145 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 458 cm (station sedan), 460 cm (sedan). Top speed: 150 to 155 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden HR Commercial
● Introduction: July 1965 as the HD, April 1966 as the HR. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.6-litre, 108 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline six, 2.6-litre, 114 hp; inline six, 3.0-litre, 126 hp; and inline six, 3.0-litre, 145 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Two-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Disks optional at the front. Length: 458 cm. Top speed: 150 to 155 kph. Range: two-door utility pickup, two-door panel van.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1965 – 1966 – 1967 – 1968
Click here to return to a list of all Holden vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
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