1966 HR Holden. June 06
Although the body changes looked mild, they involved reworking the roof line and changing almost all the exterior panels to give a sleeker, more modern profile. Styling changes remedied some of the HD's more controversial points, namely the protruding front and rear guards. The front had a new squared-off appearance with the parking lights relocated to the grille and the rear featured new vertical tail-light clusters.
These changes must have been an expensive exercise in retooling, but certainly customers loved it, and the HR became a classic, like the EH model.
The HR's performance was improved by virtue of enlarged versions of the 'red engine' with higher compression ratios. A new version of the twin carburettor 'X2' engine boasted 109kW making it the most powerful Holden engine to date.
Other HR changes included a slightly wider track, a wider rear windscreen and plusher cabin trimmings, including a woodgrain finish for the Premier's interior. Options included power steering, front wheel disc brakes and a limited-slip differential. Six months after the launch, all HRs were given a safety upgrade with the addition of front seat belts, windscreen washers, reverse lights, sunvisors and a shatter-proof interior rear vision mirror. The fitting of seat belts as standard was the forerunner of many significant safety related features pioneered by Holden in Australia.
From June 1967, a new '186S' engine became available as an option, as the twin Bendix-Stromberg downdraft carburettors of the X2 proved hard to tune. Boasting the same power output as the X2 engine it replaced, this two-barrel single carburettor engine delivered its power more smoothly and featured Holden's first automatic choke. The 186S had redesigned inlet and exhaust manifolds using a free flow design to aid exhaust gas flow as well as a modified air cleaner. At the same time a four-shift four-speed manual gearbox was offered as an $85 factory option.
The successful HR was replaced by the HK in January 1968.
In brief:
1966 HR Holden
Engine: 2.65-litre six cylinder '161'( a low compression version of this engine was also available), 3.05-litre six cylinder '186', 3.05-litre six cylinder 'X2' and 3.05-litre six cylinder '186S'.
Transmissions: Three-speed manual gearbox, four-speed manual and two speed Powerglide automatic transmission.
Models: Standard sedan, Special sedan, Premier sedan, Standard station wagon, Special station wagon, Premier station wagon, Panel van and Utility.
Price when new: $2,167 (Standard sedan)
Dimensions: (Basic sedan) 4600(L)x 1778mm(H)
Wheelbase: 2692mm
Identification: Revised version of HD body with turn signal lights set within grille and squared-off front guards; headlights have squarish chrome surrounds and grille features horizontal centre bar.
Total number built: 252,352.
