Holden HR
Holden is an Australian carmaker that operates in Australasia. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the United States-based General Motors (GM) in 1931. Until 1953 the company built cars from imported “knock down kits” sourced from Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Vauxhall.
The EJ model was introduced in July 1962. The styling of the EJ was a radical departure from that of the previous model EK with a lower roofline, a flatter boot and an absence of fins. On introduction, the range consisted of a four-door sedan (in three trim levels) and a five-door station wagon (in two trim levels). A two-door utility and a two-door panel van were added to the range in January 1963. EJ passenger models were powered by a 138.0 cubic inches inline six-cylinder engine, producing 75 brake horsepower which had been in service since the introduction of the original Holden 48/215 model in 1948. It was also powered by the red motor of 149ci in utility format and panel van format.
The EH was released in August 1963 replacing the Holden EJ series and was the first Holden to incorporate the new "Red" engine of 149ci (2400cc) or 179ci (2900cc) across the range. These engines were attached to three-speed manual or "Hydramatic" three-speed automatic transmissions with a column gear shifter; the three-speed manual (column shift) gear box had no synchromesh on first gear, requiring double de-clutching. Styling was similar to the EJ.
The HD, introduced in February 1965, 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. 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 and the optional Hydramatic three–speed automatic transmission as used in the EH was replaced by a Powerglide two– speed unit.
The HR range was released in April 1966. In addition to a revised grille, the HR featured a reworked roofline and larger rear window (on the sedans), revised rear lights (on sedans and wagons) and changes to almost all exterior body panels. Six months after the launch all models were given a safety upgrade with the addition of front safety belts, windscreen washers, reversing lights, sunvisors and a shatterproof interior rearview mirror.
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