Holden Heaven - Old Holdens

High Flying Rally XU1 in 1972

Counting since August 2004

NOTE: This is still coming up with my old site at present until I change it.

I have many people to thank for help over the years. I would never be able to thank you all individually but you know who I mean!

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Welcome to the all new Holden Heaven
This site was first established in 1999

HR 1966
The HR was forced into service earlier than previously planned as the HD models sales were slowing which was a result of the disliked body shape. The HD was causing concern within Holden and the planned release of the new model had to be nudged forward and this also caused the release of a revised model of the HR which incorporated some extra safety features.

The HR was modified so much from the HD that it changed almost every panel to give it a new cleaner and sleeker profile. The most noticeable changes would be the front indicators set into the grill and the tail lights but there was also major work on the roofline. The track was also wider and stopped a considerable amount of the body roll that was a problem with the HD. One of the other changes was to the cubic size of the engines with the smallest rising from 149 cubic inch to 161 cubic inches and the larger from 179 cubic inch to 186 cubic inch. Now this may not seem a large amount but Holden also reshaped the combustion chamber among other things to raise the horsepower and economy even further. The buying public like the new HR and proved it in the sales stakes which made it almost as popular as the EH with sales falling just short of that model. Also on sale was the sporty version and as with the HD it was called X2. There were two models of X2 and you can find out more about this model on the X2 page. While the HR was on sale Holden also released the beginning of a new model called Torana which was a rebadged HB Vauxhall Viva. The small Torana wasn't a threat to the sales of the family sized HR but gave the buying public a smaller alternative. Being designed in Australia made the Holden a reliable choice for many in these places and exports are still on going to this day.

Safety
This model saw the introduction as standard equipment front seat belts, windscreen washers, reversing lights, sunvisors and a shatter proof rear-vision mirror but not until the updated arrived about six months after production began. These inclusions may seem rather mundane compared to todays standards but were significant safety features for there day and Holden was showing the public it was committed to making its cars safer for there driving pleasure. The other significant release in this update was the new X2 engine which used a two barrel carburetor instead of the twin single venturi units. Some of the options available on this model were front disc brakes, power steering, four speed manual and a limited slip differential.

Specifications

Release date:
April 1966

Engines:
(Engine designation as on block)
161R = 161ci High compression
Bore x Stroke:3.375" (85.7mm)x3.00" (76.2mm)
114hp (85 kW) @ 4400 rpm (DIN)
157 lb/ft Torque (211.9 Nm) @ 2000 rpm (DIN)
Compression: 9.2:1

161W = 161ci Low compression
Bore x Stroke:3.375" (85.7mm)x3.00" (76.2mm)
Compression: 8.2:1

186A = 186ci High performance
Bore x Stroke:3.625" (92.1mm)x3.00" (76.2mm)
126hp (94 kW) @ 4200 rpm (DIN)
181 lb/ft Torque (244.3Nm) @ 1600 rpm (DIN)
Compression: 9.2:1

186K = 186ci X2
Bore x Stroke:3.625" (92.1mm)x3.00" (76.2mm)
145hp (109 kW) @ 4600 rpm (DIN)
184 lb/ft torque (248.4Nm) @ 2200 rpm (DIN)
Compression: 9.2:1

Transmissions:
Three speed manual column shift
Four speed manual floor shift (Opel)
Two speed Powerglide

Dimensions:
Length: 4600mm
Wheelbase 2692mm
Width 1778mm

Models:
Standard sedan
Special sedan
Premier sedan
Standard station wagon
Special station wagon
Premier station wagon
Panel van
Utility

Total production:
252,352

Pics

These couple of shots are with permission from Autopics.com.au