Holden HD
Encyclopedia
The Holden HD series is a range of automobiles which was produced by General Motors-Holden's
in Australia
from 1965 to 1966.
s were released in February 1965 with coupe utility
and panel van
body styles following in July of that year. The HD range replaced the Holden EH
series which had been in production since 1963. 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. Disc brakes were offered for the first time on a Holden model and the optional Hydramatic three–speed automatic transmission as used in the EH was replaced by a Powerglide two– speed unit. The HD was also the first Holden to be offered with a factory performance engine option, the “X2”.
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 enxtended up the end of the rear fins but not around the edge)
bodystyles in three trim levels with the six models marketed as follows.
The HD commercial vehicle range was offered in 2 door coupe utility
and 2 door panel van
variants, marketed as follows:
series.
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
from 1965 to 1966.
Introduction
The Holden HD sedans and station wagonStation wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
s were released in February 1965 with coupe utility
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
and panel van
Panel van
A panel van is a form of solid van, smaller than a lorry or truck, without rear side windows...
body styles following in July of that year. The HD range replaced the Holden EH
Holden EH
The Holden EH is an automobile which was produced by General Motors-Holden's in Australia from 1963 to 1965.The EH was released in August 1963 replacing the Holden EJ series and was the first Holden to incorporate the new "Red" motor. This new "Red" motor featured 7 main bearings as opposed to 4...
series which had been in production since 1963. 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. Disc brakes were offered for the first time on a Holden model and the optional Hydramatic three–speed automatic transmission as used in the EH was replaced by a Powerglide two– speed unit. The HD was also the first Holden to be offered with a factory performance engine option, the “X2”.
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 enxtended 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 wagonStation wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
bodystyles in three trim levels with the six models marketed as follows.
- Holden Standard Sedan
- Holden Standard Station Sedan
- Holden Special Sedan
- Holden Special Station Sedan
- Holden Premier Sedan
- Holden Premier Station Sedan
The HD commercial vehicle range was offered in 2 door coupe utility
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
and 2 door panel van
Panel van
A panel van is a form of solid van, smaller than a lorry or truck, without rear side windows...
variants, marketed as follows:
- Holden Utility
- Holden Panel Van
Engines and Transmissions
Three versions of the inline six cylinder Holden Red motor were available. 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. An 140 bhp “X2” version of the “179” was also available as an option on all models. The “X2” featured twin carburettors, a high-lift camshaft, new inlet and exhaust manifolds and a low-restriction exhaust system. A special instrument cluster and external “X2” badges were included in the “X2” option when fitted to Sedans and Station Sedans.. A three speed manual transmission was standard on all models with a two speed “Powerglide” automatic gearbox available as an option..Production and replacement
A total of 178,927 vehicles were produced up to April 1966 when the HD was replaced by the Holden HRHolden HR
The Holden HR is an automobile that was produced by General Motors-Holden's 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...
series.