HOLDEN HD-HR
AS THE FIRST OF THE GEN-5 HOLDENS, THE HD FRIGHTENED SOME HORSES. THE 'HURRIEDLY REVISED' HR SOON CALMED THEM DOWN
Folklore would have us believe that the HD model was a sales disaster and needed to be hastily replaced by the more conservative HR. However, with 179,000 sold in just 14 months the HD Holden was anything but a dud. The HR was just a little less confronting.
Both models shared a body that curved to provide extra space for expanding Australians. The HD came with protruding front mudguards, wrap-around tail-lights and oddly-shaped wheel-arches that only served to emphasise the inadequacy of 13-inch wheels.
Other changes saw three-speed Hydramatic transmission replaced by a two-speed Powerglide unit which was lighter and more compact and allowed HD/HRs to incorporate a less intrusive transmission tunnel.
New tail-light and reshaped front corners characterised the HR which also delivered an improved seat design with extra padding and new ‘Sadlon’ vinyl coverings. Seats in the Premiers were reshaped and covered in Morrokide with a rear central armrest. Previous Premiers had featured full leather seat facings.
Engines increased in size and output with the HD’s 2.4-litre ‘149’ becoming a 2.6-litre ‘161’ in the HR and the ‘179’ enlarged to 3.1-litres or 186 cubic inches. Power increased as well, with the basic 186 cranking out 93.2kW. The twin carburettor X2 and subsequent 186S both offered 108kW.
Implementation of Australia’s first safety-oriented Design Rules saw cars built from late 1966 include front seat belts, reversing lights, padded sunvisors and a shatterproof interior mirror. Power disc brakes were an option, as was a limited-slip
differential. From mid-1967, an Opel-supplied four-speed manual transmission became available. It added $85 to the price tag but sales weren’t brisk.
Even with the standard three-speed transmission, a 186-engined HR was a pretty punchy device which would hit 100km/h in 13 seconds and reach a top speed of 155km/h. At a time when fuel cost 12 cents a litre, economy didn’t bother most buyers and 15L/100km from a 186 automatic was considered reasonable.
During a combined lifespan of 37 months more than 430,000 HD and HR Holdens were made. Survivors today are plentiful and, in the case of the HD at least, easier to find than they were 20 years ago.
Special and Standard models in usable condition begin at $10,000, with restored cars likely to cost more than $20,000. Utilities command similar prices to sedans but vans are very scarce and 30-50 percent more expensive than passenger versions.