Holden HD

The Holden HD series is a range of automobiles which were produced by Holden in Australia from 1965 to 1966.

Holden HD
Holden Special Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
Production	Sedan & wagon: February 1965 – April 1966 Utility & panel van: July 1965 – April 1966
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	2,447 cc (2.4 L) 149 I6 2,940 cc (2.9 L) 179 I6 2,940 cc (2.9 L) 179 X2 I6 3,185 cc (3.2 L) Chevrolet 194 I6 (ZA)[1]
Transmission	3-speed manual 2-speed "Powerglide" automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	106.0 inches (2692mm)
Length	Sedan: 179.6 inches (4562mm) Wagon: 179.8 inches (4567mm)
Width	70.0 inches (1778mm)
Height	Sedan: 59.1 inches (1501mm) Wagon: 59.3 inches (1506mm)
Curb weight	Standard Sedan: 2595lb (1177kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Holden EH
Successor	Holden HR

Overview

The Holden HD sedans and station wagons were released in February 1965 with coupe utility and panel van body styles following in July of that year.[2] The HD range replaced the Holden EH series which had been in production since 1963.[2] The HD had a completely new body, which was wider and longer than that of the EH and offered significant increases in passenger space, load space and equipment levels.[3] Body styling exhibited strong similarities to Vauxhall's FC Victor of the previous year, including that car's unusual concave rear window. Disc brakes were offered for the first time on a Holden model [4] and the optional Hydramatic three–speed automatic transmission as used in the EH was replaced by a Powerglide two– speed unit.[3] The HD was also the first Holden to be offered with a factory performance engine option, the "X2".[4] The HD is often confused with the later HR but can be recognised by the front indicators being mounted under the bumper (the HR had round indicators mounted in the grill) and the wrap around tail lights at the back (the HR had narrow lights that extended up the end of the rear fins but not around the edge)

Model range

The Holden HD passenger vehicle range offered 4 door sedan and 5 door station wagon bodystyles in three trim levels with the six models marketed as:

• Holden Standard Sedan[5]
• Holden Standard Station Sedan[5]
• Holden Special Sedan[5]
• Holden Special Station Sedan[5]
• Holden Premier Sedan[5]
• Holden Premier Station Sedan[5]

The HD commercial vehicle range was offered in 2 door coupe utility and 2 door panel van variants, marketed as:

• Holden Utility[6]
• Holden Panel Van[6]

• 
  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

Three versions of the inline six cylinder Holden Red motor were available.[5][6] The 100 bhp 149 cu in (2.4 L) six was standard in all models except the Premiers and a 115 bhp 179 cu in (2.9 L) six was standard on Premiers and optional on all other models.[5][6] A 140 bhp "X2" version of the "179" was also available as an option on all models.[5][6] The "X2" featured twin carburettors, a high-lift camshaft, new inlet and exhaust manifolds and a low-restriction exhaust system.[5][6] A special instrument cluster and external "X2" badges were included in the "X2" option when fitted to Sedans and Station Sedans.[5] A three speed manual transmission was standard on all models with a two speed "Powerglide" automatic gearbox available as an option.[5]

A 194 cu in (3.2 L) Chevrolet six was fitted for the South African market.[1]

Production and replacement

A total of 178,927 vehicles were produced up to April 1966 when the HD was replaced by the Holden HR series.[7]

References

1. Holden Abroad, Restored Cars #220, Sep-Oct 2013, page 45
2. Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, pages 234-238
3. Tony Davis, Ewan Kennedy and Alistair Kennedy, The Holden Heritage – Eighth Edition, January 1998, page 32
4. Holden HD at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 14 October 2010
5. Holden, GMH sales brochure for Holden HD Sedans and Station Sedans, January 1965
6. Holden Utility and Panel Van!, GMH sales brochure for Holden HD Utility and Panel Van, April 1965
7. Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, pages 238-240

External links

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