Holden HK Monaro specifications
10 facts you may not have known
The start of a new era in Australian motoring.
First introduced in January 1968, the HK Holden progressively replaced the HR. It was the most elaborate project that Holden had done in its 20 years making cars.
The HK was a complete makeover from the previous model and it was both larger and heavier than the HR and would ultimately include thirteen different models.
First introduced in January 1968, were the HK sedans and station sedans. They included the Belmont sedan, Belmont Station Sedan, Kingswood Sedan, Kingswood Station Sedan, Premier Sedan and the Premier Station Sedan.
The HK bought about the Belmont and Kingswood trim levels . These trim levels would replace the Standard and Special names. The FJ Holden brought in the Standard and special trim codes back in 1953, 15 years prior.
It was also the first Holden to ever be available with a V8 engine, a 307-cubic-inch (5.0-litre) unit. 6 cylinder engine options remained the same. They consisted of 2 options, a 161-cubic-inch (2.6-litre) and a 186-cubic-inch (3.0-litre) inline six-cylinder engines.
In March 1968 the HK range expanded with the release of two utes and a panel van. They included the Belmont utility, the Kingswood utility and Belmont panel van.
July 1968 saw the release of an additional HK sedan and three coupe models. They were the Brougham, the Monaro, Monaro GTS and the Monaro GTS327
The Monaro GTS 327 featured a 327 cu in (5.4 L) Chevrolet V8 engine which was not available in any other Holden model.
The HK Monaro was wheels car of the year 1968.
The HK was replaced by the HT in May 1969.
HK Holden production totaled 199,039 units. It became remembered as the Holden model that introduced the V8 engine and the Monaro. Therefore it is remembered as one of the more iconic Holden models.