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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	2.6 L GMH 161' I6 3.0 L GMH 186/186X2/186S I6 3.2 L Chevrolet 194 I6 (ZA) 3.8 L Chevrolet 230 I6 (ZA)
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

The Holden HR range was released in April 1966, replacing the Holden HD series which had been in production since 1965. 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. Other changes included revised ball joint front suspension, widened track, improved interior trim and woodgrain interior finish for the Premier models. 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.

Model range

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             (HR 215)
• Holden Standard Station Sedan (HR 219)
• Holden Special Sedan               (HR 225)
• Holden Special Station Sedan   (HR 229)
• Holden Premier Sedan               (HR 235)
• Holden Premier Station Sedan   (HR 239)

The HR commercial vehicle range was offered in two-door coupe utility and two-door panel van variants, marketed as follows:

• Holden Utility         (HR 2106)
• Holden Panel Van (HR 2104)

• Holden Standard Sedan
• Holden Special Sedan
• Holden Special Station Sedan
• Holden Premier Sedan
• Holden Premier Sedan
• Holden Premier Station Sedan
• Holden Utility
• Holden Utility
• Holden Panel Van
• Holden Panel Van

Engines and transmissions

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. The 114 bhp, 161 cu in (2.6 L) six was standard in all models except the Premiers. A 126 bhp 186 cu in (3.0 L) six was standard on Premiers and optional on all other models. The 145 bhp twin carburettor "X2" version of the "186" was initially available as an option on all models. 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.

A lower compression (8.2:1) version of the 161 cu in (2.6 L) six was also available.

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. 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. This was coupled to a fully synchronized, column-shifted, three-speed manual transmission sourced from Opel in West Germany. 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.

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. An Opel four-speed manual gearbox was offered from June 1967.

Production and replacement

A total of 252,352 vehicles were produced up to January 1968 when the HR was replaced by the Holden HK series.
The price at release was A$2286 for the 161 cu in (2.6 L) Special Sedan manual and A$2856 for the Premier Station Sedan manual.

Body ID Plate Decoder

HR Holden Australian Body Plate example

References

1. ^ 1970 Holden HT Brougham, Restored Cars #174, Jan-Feb 2006, pages 27 to 28
2. Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, pages 238-241
3. ^ Holden Heritage, Eighth Edition, 1998, pages 34-35
4. Holden HR Technical Specifications at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 21 December 2013
5. ^ Turbo Smooth Holden, GMH sales brochure for Holden HR Sedans and Station Sedans, April 1966
6. ^ Bebbington, Terry; Malik, Michel A. (1994). 45 Years of Holden. The Australian Publishing and Printing Company. p. 37. ISBN 0-947216-31-6.
7. ^ New Holden, the Turbo-smooth profit pair!, GMH sales brochure for Holden HR utility and panel van, April 1966
8. 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.
9. "1967 Holden HR Special Wagon". Joe's Golden Gasoline. Leisure Ride Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022.
10. Holden Special (press release), Port Elizabeth, South Africa: GM South African Pty. Ltd., 1967
11. ^ Holden HR at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 24 August 2010
12. Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, page 240
13. Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, pages 240-242

External links

• A Brief History of the HR Holden at "The Sixties Holden Archives" Includes sales brochures
• Holden HR Technical Specifications at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au

• Cars introduced in 1966
• Cars of Australia
• Holden vehicles by series
• Cars discontinued in 1968