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-doorsedan 5-doorstation wagon 2-doorcoupé utility 2-doorpanel van
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2.6 LGMH 161'I6 3.0 LGMH 186/186X2/186S I6 3.2 LChevrolet 194 I6 (ZA)[1] 3.8 LChevrolet 230 I6 (ZA)[1]
Transmission	3-speedmanual 4-speed manual 2-speedPowerglideautomatic
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

TheHolden HR is an automobile that was produced byHolden in Australia from 1966 to 1968.

The Holden HR range was released in April 1966, replacing theHolden 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]

The Holden HR passenger vehicle range offered four-doorsedan and five-doorstation 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-doorcoupe utility and two-doorpanel van variants, marketed as follows:

• Holden Utility^[7]         (HR 2106)^[6]
• Holden Panel Van^[7] (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

The two versions of the inline, six-cylinderHolden 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] AnOpel^[11] four-speed manual gearbox was offered from June 1967.^[12]

A total of 252,352 vehicles were produced up to January 1968 when the HR was replaced by theHolden HK series.^[13]
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.^[6]

The HR was the first Holden to be assembled at General Motors New Zealands brand new plant in Trentham in 1967.

HR Holden Australian Body Plate example

• 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

• Use dmy dates from August 2014
• Use Australian English from August 2014
• All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English
• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata