{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2014}} {{Infobox automobile | image = 1965-66 HD Special Sedan==.JPG | caption = Holden Special Sedan | name = Holden HD | manufacturer = Holden (General Motors) | aka = | production = Sedan & wagon: February 1965 – April 1966<br>Utility & panel van: July 1965 – April 1966 | predecessor = Holden EH | successor = Holden HR | class = Mid-size | body_style = 4-door sedan<br>5-door station wagon<br>2-door coupé utility<br>2-door panel van | layout = FR layout | platform = | engine = {{ubl | {{convert|2447|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} ''149'' I6 | {{convert|2940|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} ''179/179 X2'' I6 | {{convert|3185|cc|L|1|abbr=on}} I6{{cn|date=June 2024}} }} | transmission = 3-speed manual<br>2-speed "Powerglide" automatic | wheelbase = 106.0 inches (2692mm) | length = Sedan: 179.6 inches (4562mm)<br>Wagon: 179.8 inches (4567mm) | width = 70.0 inches (1778mm) | height = Sedan: 59.1 inches (1501mm)<br>Wagon: 59.3 inches (1506mm) | weight = Standard Sedan: 2595lb (1177kg) | related = | designer = Leo Pruneau, Don Laski }}
The '''Holden HD''' series is a range of automobiles which were produced by Holden in Australia from 1965 to 1966.
==Overview== The Holden HD sedans and station wagons were released on 15 February 1965 with coupe utility and panel van body styles following in July of that year.<ref name=Darwin>Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, pages 234-238</ref> The HD range replaced the Holden EH series which had been in production since 1963.<ref name=Darwin/> The HD 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.<ref name=Heritage>Tony Davis, Ewan Kennedy and Alistair Kennedy, The Holden Heritage – Eighth Edition, January 1998, page 32</ref> Body styling exhibited strong similarities to Vauxhall's FC Victor of the previous year{{Citation needed|reason=refer Talk section 'Regarding comparison to Vauxhall Victor' |date=November 2020}}, including that car's unusual concave rear window. Disc brakes were offered for the first time on a Holden model and were available from the 1st June 1965.<ref name=Unique>[http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_holden_hd.htm Holden HD at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au] Retrieved on 14 October 2010</ref> The optional Hydramatic automatic transmission as used in the EH was now replaced by a Powerglide two– speed unit.<ref name=Heritage/> The HD was also the first Holden to be offered with a factory performance engine option, the "X2" which included twin downdraft Stromberg carburetors and exhaust headers.<ref name=Unique/> The HD is often confused with the later HR but can be recognised by the front indicators being mounted under the bumper (the HR had round indicators mounted in the grille) and the wrap around tail lights at the back (the HR had narrow lights that extended up the end of the rear fins but not around the edge)
== Model range == The Holden HD passenger vehicle range offered 4 door sedan and 5 door station wagon bodystyles in three trim levels with the six models marketed as: * Holden Standard Sedan<ref name=HDbrochure>Holden, GMH sales brochure for Holden HD Sedans and Station Sedans, January 1965</ref> * Holden Standard Station Sedan<ref name=HDbrochure/> * Holden Special Sedan<ref name=HDbrochure/> * Holden Special Station Sedan<ref name=HDbrochure/> * Holden Premier Sedan<ref name=HDbrochure/> * Holden Premier Station Sedan<ref name=HDbrochure/>
The HD commercial vehicle range was offered in 2 door coupe utility and 2 door panel van variants, marketed as: * Holden Utility<ref name=HDCommercialbrochure>Holden Utility and Panel Van!, GMH sales brochure for Holden HD Utility and Panel Van, April 1965</ref> * Holden Panel Van<ref name=HDCommercialbrochure/>
<gallery widths="200" heights="150"> File:1966 Holden HD Special X2 (5689334997).jpg|Holden Special Sedan File:1966 Holden Special (HD) Station Sedan station wagon (2016-07-07) 02.jpg|Holden Special Station Sedan File:1966 Holden Premier sedan front.jpg|Holden Premier Sedan File:1966 Holden Premier sedan rear.jpg|Holden Premier Sedan File:1965 Holden HD Premier station wagon (6106042986).jpg|Holden Premier Station Sedan File:1965 Holden HD Utility (22064451352).jpg|Holden Utility File:1965 Holden HD X2 utility (20998671870).jpg|Holden Utility File:NRMA Motoring and Services 1950's - Current day - Flickr - NRMA New Cars (15) (cropped).jpg|Holden Panel Van File:1965 Holden HD panel van - NRMA Road Service (7762278608).jpg|Holden Panel Van </gallery> {{-}}
==Engines and transmissions== Three versions of the inline six cylinder Holden Red motor were available.<ref name=HDbrochure/><ref name=HDCommercialbrochure/> The 100 bhp {{convert|149|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} six was standard in all models except the Premiers and a 115 bhp {{convert|179|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} six was standard on Premiers and optional on all other models.<ref name=HDbrochure/><ref name=HDCommercialbrochure/> A 140 bhp "X2" version of the "179" was also available as an option on all models.<ref name=HDbrochure/><ref name=HDCommercialbrochure/> The "X2" featured twin carburettors, a high-lift camshaft, new inlet and exhaust manifolds and a low-restriction exhaust system.<ref name=HDbrochure/><ref name=HDCommercialbrochure/> It also included a special instrument cluster and external "X2" badges. A three speed manual transmission was standard on all models with a two speed "Powerglide" automatic gearbox available as an option.<ref name=HDbrochure/>
A {{convert|194|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} Chevrolet six was fitted for the South African market.<ref name=Holden_Abroad>Holden Abroad, Restored Cars #220, Sep-Oct 2013, page 45</ref>{{dubious|1=ZA cars|date=July 2023}}
==Production and replacement== A total of 178,927 vehicles were produced up to April 1966 when the HD was replaced by the Holden HR series.<ref>Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, pages 238-240</ref> {{-}}
== References == <references/>
== External links == * [http://members.tripod.com/%7Esixties_holdens/hdhist.html A Brief History of the HD Holden at "The Sixties Holden Archives"] Includes sales brochures * [http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_holden_hd.htm Holden HD at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au]
{{Holden timeline}}
Category:Cars of Australia HD Category:Cars introduced in 1965 Category:Cars discontinued in 1966 Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles