Holden HK | |
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Holden HK Kingswood Sedan | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Holden (General Motors) |
Also called | Holden Belmont Holden Kingswood Holden Premier Holden Brougham Holden Monaro Chevrolet Kommando (South Africa) [1] Chevrolet El Camino (South Africa) [1] |
Production | January 1968 – May 1969 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Mid-size |
Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door coupé 2-door coupé utility 2-door panel van |
Layout | FR layout |
Powertrain | |
Engine |
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Transmission | 3-speed manual 4-speed manual 2-speed "Powerglide" automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 111.0 inches (2819 mm) |
Length |
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Width | 71.4 inches (1814 mm) |
Height | Sedans: 55.6 inches (1412 mm) |
Curb weight | Monaro GTS 186S: 2946 lb (1336 kg) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Holden HR |
Successor | Holden HT |
The Holden HK series is an automobile which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1968 to 1969. Introduced in January 1968, [2] 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.
The HK series was initially offered in three trim levels, each available in four-door sedan and five-door station wagon body styles. Sedans and wagons were marketed as sedans and station sedans respectively. [3]
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) inline 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 [4] 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. [5]
July 1968 saw the release of an additional HK sedan and three coupe models: [6]
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 but was available in the larger GMH assembled Chevrolet Impala and Pontiac Parisienne.
The HK range was replaced by the Holden HT series in May 1969, production having totaled 199,039 units. [4]
In South Africa, Holden HK sedan and wagon were marketed as under the name Chevrolet Kommando and the HK utility was sold as the Chevrolet El Camino. [1] They went on sale in May 1969 after two years' development and quickly became General Motors best seller in the country, along with the closely related Constantia. The biggest seller was the LS automatic sedan. [7]
The Holden Monaro is a rear-wheel drive coupé manufactured by General Motors Holden in Australia from 1968 to 1975 and later reintroduced from 2001 to 2005. It was also manufactured as a 4-door sedan from 1973 to 1977.
The Holden Kingswood is a full-size car that was manufactured in Australia by GM Holden, from the beginning of the HK series in 1968 through to the conclusion of the WB series in 1984. Prior to 1968, the full-size Holden range of family cars comprised the Holden Standard, the Holden Special, and Holden Premier models. Initially, the HK range of models included the basic Holden Belmont, the Kingswood, and the luxury-oriented Holden Premier, all of which were manufactured in a choice of sedan and station wagon bodies. Commercial variants were offered in three types: coupé utility, panel van, and later from 1971, a heavy-duty Holden One Tonner cab chassis. The utility (ute) version was originally marketed in both Belmont and Kingswood configurations. However, after the Belmont name was deleted from commercials at the end of HQ in late 1974, the base model commercials were sold only with the "Holden" badge.
The Holden Sandman is a sports coupé utility produced between 1974 and 1980 by General Motors' Australian subsidiary Holden and became known throughout the 1970s as "Shaggin' Wagons", given their popularity amongst teenage couples, identified by their bright paint jobs and distinguishable stripes, and later the colourful "SANDMAN" lettering covering the tailgate, the Sandman was Holden's answer to a Panel Van and Utility variant of the popular GTS variants of the Sedan and Monaro Coupé, The sandman came standard with the GTS' sports style gauge cluster, sports steering wheel, bucket seats, along with a fully furnished interior, and the exterior consisting of rally wheels, GTS style guards, "Sandman" Logo painted on B pillars for utes and in approximately the same spot on panel vans and exclusive vinyl stripes, the Sandman came with a standard 173 cubic inch "red" inline 6, however most were optioned with either a 253, or 308 cubic inch Holden V8, backed by either a 4 speed manual (Standard) or 3 Speed 'Tri-Matic' Automatic, both controlled through a console mounted floorshift.
The Holden Brougham is a large, luxury automobile that was produced by Holden in Australia between July 1968 and 1971.
The Holden EH is an automobile produced by General Motors-Holden in Australia from 1963 to 1965. The EH was released in August 1963 replacing the Holden EJ series, and was the first Holden to incorporate the new "Red" engine, with a seven main bearing crankshaft instead of the four main bearing crankshaft used in the "Grey" engine. At first, a larger capacity 149-cubic-inch (2,440 cc) engine was only sold attached to a three-speed manual gearbox or the "Hydramatic" four-stage automatic transmission with a column shift. The Controlled Coupling Hydramatic used in the EH was actually a four-stage, although it effectively worked as a three-speed unit, except at full throttle. The 179-cubic-inch (2,930 cc) engine was initially sold only with the "Hydramatic" transmission. The first EH with a 179-cubic-inch engine and a manual gear box was called the "EH-S4", and was fitted with an upgraded manual gearbox, having stronger gears than in the 149 gear box, and an upgraded clutch. The three-speed manual column shift gearboxes had no synchromesh on first gear, only on the second and third (top) gear.
The Holden was a full-sized car produced by the company of the same name across 5 generations from 1948 until 1984. The Holden is also commonly referred to by their model designation and also the H Series. The Holden was introduced to be Australia's car, being the first full scale produced automobile exclusive to the country. Prior to which, General Motors Holden's Ltd. assembled imported CKD kits from overseas General Motors subsidiaries such as Chevrolet, Buick, Vauxhall and more. And the only other cars built in the country being Ford and Chrysler vehicle bodies fitted to imported chassis. The Holden was an instant success among Australians, being the first production car built solely for Australia's unique, rough roads.
The Holden Special is a mid-size car that was manufactured by Holden for Australasia. 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. The Business was in fact already available, introduced in July 1953 in the 48 series first seen in 1948. Three months later, the FJ was introduced, therefore forming a three-model lineup based around one car. A "Standard"-type variant also existed in the 48 series, but had been marketed simply as the "Holden".
Statesman is an automotive marque created in 1971 by the Australian General Motors subsidiary, Holden. Statesman vehicles were sold through Holden dealerships, and were initially based on the mainstream Holden HQ station wagon platform, thereby providing more interior room and generally more luxurious features than their Holden-branded sedan siblings. Production ceased with the last of the WB series cars in December 1984.
The Holden HQ series is a range of automobiles that was produced by Holden in Australia from 1971 to 1974. The HQ was released on 15 July 1971, replacing the Holden HG series. It was the first ground-up redesign of the Holden line since its original release in 1948, and included an all-new body, chassis, and suspension. The HQ was later developed into a series of successor models, finally ending production when the WB series was discontinued in 1984.
The Holden HJ is a series of automobiles which were produced by Holden in Australia from 1974 to 1976. The HJ series was released on 4 October 1974 and was an improved and facelifted version of the superseded Holden HQ series which had been in production since 1971.
The Holden EJ is a motor vehicle produced by General Motors-Holden's in Australia from 1962 to 1963. Introduced in July 1962, the EJ replaced the Holden EK series.
The Holden FC series is an automobile produced by Holden in Australia from 1958 to 1960. Introduced on 6 May 1958, the FC is a facelifted and improved version of the Holden FE series, which it replaced. Although it is exclusively an Australian design, the styling is reminiscent of a scaled-down North American 1955 Chevrolet.
The Holden HX is a range of automobiles which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1976 to 1977.
Holden HZ is a full-sized automobile which was produced in Australia between October 1977 and April 1980 by Holden in a variety of equipment levels and in several different body styles. It was also assembled in New Zealand.
The Holden WB series is an automobile which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1980 to 1984. It is a facelifted version of the Holden HZ series, which it replaced. Unlike the HZ and every other full size Holden series before it, the Holden WB was only offered in commercial vehicle bodystyles with no sedan or wagon passenger car variants. The long-wheelbase WB series models were marketed under the separate Statesman marque, absent of all Holden branding.
The Holden FB is an automobile produced by Holden in Australia from 1960 to 1961. Introduced on 14 January 1960, the FB series replaced the Holden FC range.
The Holden HT series is a range of automobiles which was produced by Holden in Australia between 1969 and 1970.
The Holden HG is an automobile which was produced by Holden in Australia between 1970 and 1971. It was marketed under Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, Brougham and Monaro model names.
The Holden HD series is a range of automobiles which were produced by Holden in Australia from 1965 to 1966.
The Holden HR is an automobile that was produced by Holden in Australia from 1966 to 1968.