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| Holden | |
|---|---|
_03.jpg) Holden HQ Kingswood Wagon (1971–1974) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Holden |
| Also called | |
| Production | 1948–1984 |
| Assembly | Australia: |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size car |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Holden Commodore |
TheHolden is a full-sized car produced by thecompany of the same name across 5 generations from 1948 until 1984. The Holden is also commonly referred to by their model designation (e.g., HQ) and also theH Series. The Holden was introduced to be Australia's car, being the first full scale produced automobile exclusive to the country. Prior to which, General Motors Holden's Ltd. assembled imported CKD kits from overseasGeneral Motors subsidiaries such asChevrolet,Buick,Vauxhall and others. And the only other cars built in the country beingFord andChrysler vehicle bodies fitted to imported chassis. The Holden was an instant success among Australians, being the first production car built solely for Australia's unique, rough roads.
The Holden Ute was derived from the Holden. Until 1971, the Ute retained the rear floorpan of the sedan, although it was beneath the Ute's tray floor.
The Holden was produced in all states (excluding territories andTasmania) of Australia at varying stages of its lifetime.
Between 1960 and 1968 Holden vehicles were able to be modified to left-hand drive for markets such asHawaii. Right-hand drive Holdens were exported all throughout its lifetime to countries such asSouth Africa where they were rebadged asChevrolets.[1]
Some versions of the Holden ended up inJapan and were sold as theMazda Roadpacer, powered by a13B Rotary engine.
Upon its introduction the Holden was available in a single trim level, however it soon adopted the naming ofHolden Standard,Holden Business andHolden Special. The Holden Business was soon phased out due to being unpopular due to its awkward mid-range position. In 1963, theHolden Premier was introduced, placed significantly higher than the Special, with many more luxury focused components. In 1968 with the launch of theHK series, the Standard and Special were replaced by theHolden Belmont andHolden Kingswood respectively, along with Holden's first coupe model, theHolden Monaro,[2] and also the first Long-wheelbase model, theHolden Brougham, to compete with the wildly successfulFord Fairlane. In 1971, the Brougham was replaced by theStatesman upon the launch of the fully redesignedHQ series, this model was now devoid of the Holden name, however remained essentially the same car. Also along with the HQ came thecab chassisHolden One Tonner. The Holden remained essentially unchanged throughout the 1970s, with only minor style changes, and the coupe model ceasing production after theHX series, until 1980 with the introduction of theWB series when the sedan and station wagon models were both also dropped, leaving only the ute and panelvan in the range, which gained theStatesman WB front clip. The Holden was discontinued as a whole in 1984, as Holden turned its focus entirely to theHolden Commodore.
By the time production of the Holden ceased in 1984, total production of the Holden reached 3,330,401.
| First generation | |
|---|---|
.jpg) a Holden FX | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1948–1956 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size |
| Body style | |
| Related | Holden 48-215 Holden 50-2106 Holden FJ |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 3 speed manual |
The First Generation of the Holden was heavily influenced by a pre-World War IIChevrolet design and is shown clearly by its similarities to theChevrolet Fleetline, the design was axed in the US due to it being deemed likely to small too succeed in their local market.[3]
Production:120,402 examplesThe Holden 48-215 was the first Australian made and designed vehicle on the market, based on a stillbornChevrolet design. Powered by a 132 cubic inch Inline 6, built by Holden, but like the car itself, based on an American design. This first model was built exclusively inPort Melbourne at theHolden Headquarters.
Production:169,969 examples.
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 A 1961–1962 EK Special sedan. | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Holden FE Holden FC Holden FB Holden EK |
| Production | 1956–1962 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size |
| Body style |
|
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 3 speed manual 3 speedRoto Hydramatic |
The initial Second Generation Holdens were a lot more European than its predecessor, showing striking similarities to that ofVauxhall. The later Second Generation Holdens took a hard turn towards a significantly more American styling, and is very similar to, and to those unaware could be confused with a'57 Chevy.[4]
Production:155,161 examples.
Production:191,724 examples.
During the FBs model run, what would become Holden's biggest local competitor for the next over 40 years, theFord Falcon, was introduced. Holden however retained a 49.6 percent market share in 1961, still outselling the rival Falcon by an impressive margin.
Production:174,747 examples.
The EK was a minor redesign of the FB, with the only noticeable variation between the two being in badgework and chrome trim.
Production:150,214 examples.
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
 A Holden HR Premier X2. | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1962–1968 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size |
| Body style |
|
| Related | Holden EJ Holden EH Holden HD Holden HR |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | 3 speed manual 2 speedPowerglide 3 speedHydramatic |
The Third Generation Holden introduced a new styling with a unique angular grille, and the introduction of the new flagshipPremier specification, finally bringing bucket seats to the Holden, alongside many other luxury options.[5] The Latter half of the Third Generation Holden was highly inspired by the 1963Vauxhall FC Victor. With this half came advanced safety features such as front end disk brakes in the HD, andseatbelts in the HR. Holden also started experimenting with coupés during the HR era, however never came to a decision, few prototypes were created, and thus the location of such are unknown. It is a possibility these cars were crushed however GMH never commented on the fate of these vehicles.[6][7][8]
Prouduction:154,811 examples.
The EH was only a minor redesign over the EJ, however the groundbreaking change with the EH was the introduction of the much more modernred motor, finally moving away from the outdated grey motor used in earlier models. The EH also introduced the first homologation special holden, the 'S4 special', of which 126 were produced.[9]
Production:256,959 examples.
The HD was a massive redo of the look of the Holden, with a more refined grille, and the extended front fenders that were fought over at GM's design headquarters inDetroit.
Production:178,927 examples.
The HR was a mild but much more successful refinement over the HD, with shortened front guards, grille mounted indicators, giving the illusion of quad-headlights, giving a much more luxury design over its predecessor. Also alongside the HR came the 186 cubic-inch variant of the red motor. Along with the first mass produced sport oriented Holden engine, the 186X2 available as part of the X2 option onHolden Special andHolden Premier models.
Production:252,352 examples.
| Fourth generation | |
|---|---|
.jpg) A 1969 HT Holden Monaro GTS 350 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Holden HK Holden HT Holden HG Holden Brougham Chevrolet Kommando (ZA) Chevrolet El Camino (ZA)[10] Chevrolet SS (ZA) |
| Production | 1968–1971 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size |
| Body style |
|
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | 3 speed manual 4 speed manual 2 speedPowerglide 3 speedTrimatic |
The Fourth Generation holden was a big evolution for the Holden, with the introduction of the long-awaitedMonarocoupe, official use ofV8 engines, and Holdens stab at theFord Fairlane's market share, the Long-wheelbaseHolden Brougham.[12]
The HK introduced the new Monaro, and with that came the wildly popular GTS trim level, however the model was the all new 327 cub-inch small block chevrolet V8 powered Monaro GTS327
Production:199,039 examples.
The HT was a minor revision over the HK, but with the replacement of the GTS327 by the GTS350. Also with the HT came the brand newHolden V8 engine, replacing the previous 307 Chevrolet item. The 308 cubic-inch Holden V8 was initially only available in the HT Brougham, as GMH still needed to liquidate stock of the smaller American V8s.
Production:183,402 examples.
The HG design was again, similar to the two models that came before it, The HG introduced the 308 engine to the lower specification models, along with the newTriMatic 3-speed automatic gearbox, finally bringing automatic transmissions into the mainstream line up, being less expensive than the imported PowerGlide and HydraMatic transmissions that were available prior. Although the 3-speed Turbo-HydraMatic 350 was still available behind the Holden 308, and the remaining imported Chevrolet 350.
Production:155,787 examples.
| Fifth generation | |
|---|---|
 A 1971 Holden HQ Monaro LS Coupe | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Holden HQ Holden HJ Holden HX Holden HZ Holden WB Mazda Roadpacer |
| Production | 1971–1985 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size |
| Body style |
|
| Platform | Holden HQ platform |
| Related | Statesman |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 3 speed manual 4 speed manual 3 speedTrimatic 3 speedHydramatic 3 speedJatco3N71B automatic (Japan) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Holden Commodore |
The Introduction of the fifth generation of Holden in 1971 marked the first full redesign since the original 48-215 in 1948. With this change can the new Semi-monocouque architecture for coupé, sedan and station wagon models and a fullbody-on-chassis design for the ute, panelvan and newly introducedone tonner model. TheBrougham was also dropped in favour of the newStatesman model, which no longer carried the Holden name.[13]
The Holden HQ is yet another heavilyChevrolet inspired design, sharing likeness with theCamaro andChevelle. The HQ was the last Holden model to feature a Chevrolet Small Block V8 until the introduction of theSeries II VT Commodore in 1999. With the HQ Monaro came the LS, a variant similar to the sedan and wagon's Premier specification. The HQ Monaro could be a lot more luxury focused, without the looming effect of homologation, as Holden's motorsport teams turned towards the smallerTorana.
Production:485,650 examples. The most of any Holden ever produced
The HJ introduced a moreCadillac-esque styling to the Holden, with the return of the large chrome grilles. The Monaro however retained the HQ style taillights, along with the One Tonner remaining largely unchanged with the exception of dashboard design.
Production:176,202 examples.
The HX introducedADR27A-compliant engines and is known for the Monaro Limited Edition, designed as a runout model for the remaining coupe bodyshells, all 580 examples of the LE were identical to each other.
Production:110,669 examples.
The main changes that came with the HZ holden are the introduction of Radial Tuned Suspension (RTS) technology, previously tested in theLX Torana, along with the deletion of the coupé body style and the deletion of the Belmont trim level, now simply called Holden.
Production:154,155 examples.
With the release of the WB range, the sedan and station wagon bodystyles were dropped, leaving only the ute, panelvan and cab chassis body styles, the WB also introduced theBlue motor, bringing an end to the Red's 17 year run. After the WB ended production, production of the Holden came to an end after 36 years, with Holden moving their focus to its smallerCommodore model.
Production:60,231 examples.
And its derivativeHolden SS
And its commercial vehicle based derivative theHolden Sandman.
The Holden overlander was a 4x4 converted version of the Holden ute and wagon, optioned with a Holden 308 V8, Turbo 400 gearbox, along with axels & transfer case manufactured specially for the Overlander byDana in the USA. The Overlander was made by Arthur Hayward inLaunceston, Tasmania from brand new Holden utes and wagons. GMH denied selling bare shells, however did retain their factory warranty for buyers of the Overlander.[14]
The first body style ever introduced for the Holden in 1948 with the FX, it consisted of a 4-door, 5 seat design with a full size boot separated from the cabin space by the rear seat cushion.
The Coupe Utility or ‘Ute’ Was introduced in 1951 to compete withFord Australia's wildly popular Coupe Utility, it maintained the sedans front doors forwards, yet had a completely redesigned rear end. In 1971, Alongside the Panel Van, the Ute was given a Body-on-Chassis style design over the classic unibody style.
The Panel Van was introduced shortly after the Ute, essentially a Commercial van based on the Ute with a Fixed sheet metal hardtop.
The Wagon was introduced with the FE Generation, it was essentially identical to the sedan forward of the rear doors, which themselves were modified to flow with the extended roofline, with a squarer rear end, a lift back rear hatch and the rear seat back, this time acting as a luggage divider rather than completely separating the boot space from the cabin.
The much anticipated Coupé body style was introduced in 1968 in the HK range to compete with the Falcon Futura and Valiant coupes of the time, the Coupe's front clip and boot-lid were essentially the only crossover panels between the Coupé and Sedan, with restyled rear quarter panels and extended doors.
The Long-Wheelbase Brougham was introduced to compete against theFord Fairlane, the Brougham was essentially a standard Holden Sedan with an extended boot and some adjustment to the rear of the cabin space. In 1971, the Brougham was phased out and replaced by the Statesman, a model of essentially the same goal, however the Statesman saw some success in chipping into the Fairlane's market share.
The One Tonner was introduced alongside the HQ range in 1971, the ‘Tonner was essentially a Coupe Utility with the rear tray section removed implementing a Cab-Chassis design, the ‘Tonner also featured an extended Ladder frame.
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