Holden HK introduced in January (Belmont, Kingswood and Premier), March (Utility and Panel Van) and July (Brougham and Monaro).
Classic Car Catalogue
Holden 1968
| Torana (HB) | ||
| Holden HR | – discontinued in March | |
| Belmont (HK) | – new model in January | |
| Kingswood (HK) | – new model in January | |
| Premier (HK) | – new model in January | |
| Brougham (HK) | – new model in July | |
| Monaro (HK) | – new model in July |
Australia
Spora zmiana nastąpiła w 1968 roku wraz z wprowadzeniem modelu HK. Oprócz limuzyny Premier wprowadzono sedany Belmont i Kingswood, a także kombi oraz Coupé Monaro. Rozstaw osi zwiększono wówczas do 282 cm, a długość do 468,5 cm. Dodatkowo pojawiły się silniki V8-5,0/5,3.
A total of 252,352 vehicles of series HR were produced up to January 1968 when it was replaced by the Holden HK series.
The Holden HK series was introduced in January. HK models are larger and heavier than their predecessors. It was initially offered in three trim levels: Belmont, Kingswood and Premier, each available in four-door sedan and five-door station wagon body styles. The Belmont and Kingswood model names are new for the HK series, replacing the Standard and Special names which had been used by Holden since 1953. The Premier nameplate is retained for the top-of-the-line model, which now feature 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 are carried over from the HR series; however, a 307-cubic-inch (5.0-litre) Chevrolet V8 is 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 Coupé utilities and a panel van variant 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.
July 1968 saw the release of an additional HK sedan and three Coupé models: Brougham, Monaro, Monaro GTS and Monaro GTS 327. The Brougham feature 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 feature an overall length 200 millimetres (8 in) greater than the other HK sedans, although this extra length is added to the body only, while the wheelbase remain unchanged at 111 inches. It is equipped with the 307 cubic inch V8 engine as standard. The Monaro models are 2-door Coupés, the first such vehicles to be offered by Holden and the Monaro GTS 327 feature a 327 cu in (5.4 L) Chevrolet V8 engine which is not available in any other Holden model.
In early 1968 a "Series 70" engine option was added. This engine have a higher compression ratio, a higher lift camshaft, and a single CD Stromberg carburettor, which boosted output to 69 bhp. Power assisted front disc brakes are standard when this engine is used, and the automatic transmission option is no longer available with the standard 56 bhp engine. A 'sports' model was also released at the same time called the 'Brabham' Torana, named in honour of the well-respected Australian race-car driver, Jack Brabham. The Brabham Torana's engine is based on the Series 70, but twin CD Stromberg carburettors with sports air cleaners are fitted. Together with the low restriction exhaust system, this boos the power to 79 bhp. The Brabham also include wider wheel rims and red-wall tyres, power assisted front disc brakes as standard, different badging and black body accents. Automatic transmission is not available on this model.
In September 1968, the '69 Torana' was released, called the HB Series II. This feature locally made body panels, replacing the imported bodies of the original HB. The model line up now include a 4-door sedan which was developed in Australia, with four-door bodies shipped back to the UK to be constructed and sold as the Viva.
Torana SL
HR Special
Brougham
Brougham
Monaro S Coupé
Monaro GTS
Monaro GTS
Monaro GTS 327
Belmont Sedan
Kingswood Sedan
Kingswood Station Wagon
Kingswwod Taxi
Kingswwod Taxi
Premier