'Bigger is Better' seems to be the guiding philosophy behind the HK series which followed in January 1968.
Everything was made bigger: the choice of models, the choice of engines
and transmissions and, of course, the exterior dimensions. The HK
series is especially significant because it introduced Holden's first V8
engine, its first sports coupe (Monaro) and the famous 'Kingswood'
model. (The base Holden HK sedan was called Belmont and the best selling
model, formerly called 'Special', was given the now legendary
'Kingswood' tag.)
The Premier name was retained but from mid-1968 it would never again denote the top Holden, because at that time a stretched version of the HK, called Brougham, was introduced to compete with Ford's enormously successful Fairlane. Although built on the standard wheelbase, the Brougham sedan was over 200 mm longer. Most of the additional length consisted of a massive boot. This newcomer was powered by a Chevrolet-built '307' V8 engine. As you might expect, it had automatic transmission, power steering, an upmarket interior and all the add-ons in Holden's armoury. It still didn't shape up as a credible opponent for the Fairlane, however, and was later replaced by the more successful Holden Statesman.
The new V8 was made available for all models. In fact, the HK range offered the largest choice of engines, transmissions and interior fittings ever seen in a mass-produced Australian car. The Monaro was released at the same time as the Brougham. This spectacular two-door (covered in a separate chapter) was the first vehicle of its type seen downunder. It attracted a lot more attention than the Brougham and, understandably, was blessed with a lot more success.
During 1969 the two-millionth Holden was produced. The HK production run fell a few units short of 200,000, at which point it received the usual facelift and became the 'HT'. The major significance of the HT was that in some models the US-built '307' was replaced by an Aussie-designed and built bent eight. Minor styling changes included reshaped rear guards which eliminated the 'coke-bottle' waist of the former model. The Aussie V8 came in two versions: The '253' (4.2 litres) was launched first, followed by the '308' (5 litres), which replaced the Chevy 307. The Chevrolet '350' remained available on the Monaro coupe.
The HT model choice still included the extended Brougham luxury model which was upgraded but not substantially changed. The body shape had one more outing as the HG before the all-new HQ was released. The Holden HG replaced the HT in July 1970. Aside from the usual cosmetic changes, the HG introduced the Australian-built three-speed Tri-Matic automatic transmission. The range included no less than 13 distinct variants, each with a choice of up to five engines and four transmissions.
The Premier name was retained but from mid-1968 it would never again denote the top Holden, because at that time a stretched version of the HK, called Brougham, was introduced to compete with Ford's enormously successful Fairlane. Although built on the standard wheelbase, the Brougham sedan was over 200 mm longer. Most of the additional length consisted of a massive boot. This newcomer was powered by a Chevrolet-built '307' V8 engine. As you might expect, it had automatic transmission, power steering, an upmarket interior and all the add-ons in Holden's armoury. It still didn't shape up as a credible opponent for the Fairlane, however, and was later replaced by the more successful Holden Statesman.
The new V8 was made available for all models. In fact, the HK range offered the largest choice of engines, transmissions and interior fittings ever seen in a mass-produced Australian car. The Monaro was released at the same time as the Brougham. This spectacular two-door (covered in a separate chapter) was the first vehicle of its type seen downunder. It attracted a lot more attention than the Brougham and, understandably, was blessed with a lot more success.
During 1969 the two-millionth Holden was produced. The HK production run fell a few units short of 200,000, at which point it received the usual facelift and became the 'HT'. The major significance of the HT was that in some models the US-built '307' was replaced by an Aussie-designed and built bent eight. Minor styling changes included reshaped rear guards which eliminated the 'coke-bottle' waist of the former model. The Aussie V8 came in two versions: The '253' (4.2 litres) was launched first, followed by the '308' (5 litres), which replaced the Chevy 307. The Chevrolet '350' remained available on the Monaro coupe.
The HT model choice still included the extended Brougham luxury model which was upgraded but not substantially changed. The body shape had one more outing as the HG before the all-new HQ was released. The Holden HG replaced the HT in July 1970. Aside from the usual cosmetic changes, the HG introduced the Australian-built three-speed Tri-Matic automatic transmission. The range included no less than 13 distinct variants, each with a choice of up to five engines and four transmissions.
Source : http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au
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