Holden HK
Encyclopedia
The Holden HK series is an automobile which was produced by General Motors-Holden's in Australia
from 1968 to 1969. Introduced in January 1968, the HK range progressively replaced the Holden HR
series which had been in production since 1966. HK models were both larger and heavier than their predecessors and the range would ultimately include thirteen different models against the eight of the HR range. The Holden HK was marketed under Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, Brougham and Monaro model names.
body styles. Sedans and wagons were marketed as Sedans and Station Sedans respectively.
The Belmont and Kingswood model names were new for the HK series, replacing the Standard
and Special
names which had been used by Holden since 1953. The Premier nameplate was retained for the top of the line model which now featured four headlights and a unique roofline to differentiate it further from its lesser siblings. 161 cubic inch (2.6 litre) and 186 cubic inch (3.0 litre) in line six cylinder engines were carried over from the HR series, however a 307 cubic inch (5.0 litre) Chevrolet
V8 was now offered as an option on all models, this being the first time that any Holden had been available with a V8 engine
.
In March 1968 the HK range was expanded with the release of two coupe utilities
and a panel van
variant replacing the existing HR series commercial models.
Prior to the introduction of the HK models, Holden’s commercial vehicles had been marketed simply as the Holden Utility and the Holden Panel Van.
July 1968 saw the release of an additional HK sedan and three coupe models:
The Brougham featured a greater level of luxury than the Premier, which had been the top of the range Holden since the introduction of the nameplate in 1962. The Brougham also featured an overall length 200 millimetres (8 in) greater than the other HK sedans, although this extra length was added to the body only, while the wheelbase remained unchanged at 111 inches. It was equipped with the 307 cubic inch V8 engine as standard. The Monaro models were 2 door coupes
, the first such vehicles to be offered by Holden and the Monaro GTS 327 featured a 327 cu in (5.4 l) Chevrolet V8 engine which was not available in any other Holden model.
series in May 1969, production having totaled 199,039 units.
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 1968 to 1969. Introduced in January 1968, the HK range progressively replaced the Holden HR
Holden 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 which had been in production since 1966. HK models were both larger and heavier than their predecessors and the range would ultimately include thirteen different models against the eight of the HR range. The Holden HK was marketed under Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, Brougham and Monaro model names.
Model range
The HK series was initially offered in three trim levels, each available in four door sedan and five 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...
body styles. Sedans and wagons were marketed as Sedans and Station Sedans respectively.
- BelmontHolden KingswoodThe Holden Kingswood is a full-size car that was manufactured by General Motors-Holden's, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors , from the beginning of the HK series in 1968 through to the conclusion of the WB series in 1984...
Sedan - Belmont Station Sedan
- KingswoodHolden KingswoodThe Holden Kingswood is a full-size car that was manufactured by General Motors-Holden's, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors , from the beginning of the HK series in 1968 through to the conclusion of the WB series in 1984...
Sedan - Kingswood Station Sedan
- PremierHolden PremierThe Holden Premier is an automobile that was produced by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors between 1962 and 1980. The Premier was an upmarket version of the:* Holden Standard/Special: between 1962 and 1968....
Sedan - Premier Station Sedan
The Belmont and Kingswood model names were new for the HK series, replacing the Standard
Holden Special
The Holden Special is a mid-size car that was manufactured by General Motors-Holden's, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors . Introduced as the top-level trim in the new Holden FJ range of 1953, the Special was complemented by the entry-level Holden Standard and the mid-range Holden Business...
and Special
Holden Special
The Holden Special is a mid-size car that was manufactured by General Motors-Holden's, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors . Introduced as the top-level trim in the new Holden FJ range of 1953, the Special was complemented by the entry-level Holden Standard and the mid-range Holden Business...
names which had been used by Holden since 1953. The Premier nameplate was retained for the top of the line model which now featured four headlights and a unique roofline to differentiate it further from its lesser siblings. 161 cubic inch (2.6 litre) and 186 cubic inch (3.0 litre) in line six cylinder engines were carried over from the HR series, however a 307 cubic inch (5.0 litre) Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
V8 was now offered as an option on all models, this being the first time that any Holden had been available with a V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
.
In March 1968 the HK range was expanded with the release of two coupe utilities
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 a panel van
Panel van
A panel van is a form of solid van, smaller than a lorry or truck, without rear side windows...
variant replacing the existing HR series commercial models.
- Belmont Utility
- Belmont Panel Van
- Kingswood Utility
Prior to the introduction of the HK models, Holden’s commercial vehicles had been marketed simply as the Holden Utility and the Holden Panel Van.
July 1968 saw the release of an additional HK sedan and three coupe models:
- BroughamHolden BroughamThe Holden Brougham is a large, luxury automobile which was produced by General Motors–Holden's in Australia between July 1968 and 1971.It was based on the mainstream Holden Premier of the same years, but with a lengthened rear body. The boot was simply extended by rather than increasing the ...
- MonaroHolden MonaroThe Holden Monaro is an automobile that was produced by GM Holden Ltd, an Australian subsidiary of General Motors, between 1968 and 1977 and between 2001 and 2005...
- Monaro GTS
- Monaro GTS 327
The Brougham featured a greater level of luxury than the Premier, which had been the top of the range Holden since the introduction of the nameplate in 1962. The Brougham also featured an overall length 200 millimetres (8 in) greater than the other HK sedans, although this extra length was added to the body only, while the wheelbase remained unchanged at 111 inches. It was equipped with the 307 cubic inch V8 engine as standard. The Monaro models were 2 door coupes
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
, the first such vehicles to be offered by Holden and the Monaro GTS 327 featured a 327 cu in (5.4 l) Chevrolet V8 engine which was not available in any other Holden model.
Production and replacement
The HK range was replaced by the Holden HTHolden HT
The Holden HT series is a range of automobiles which was produced by General Motors Holden’s in Australia between 1969 and 1970.-Introduction:Holden HT Belmont, Kingswood and Premier models were introduced in May 1969,...
series in May 1969, production having totaled 199,039 units.