10 facts you may not have known
The HR Holden was first released in April 1966.
Cosmetically, the HR was only a minor facelift of the previous HD model, many people cannot tell the two apart.
The previous model, HD, had arguably faced more criticism than any previous model. The HR’s main point of emphasis would be to address this.
The main point of emphasis for the HR was safety, which was one of the heaviest criticisms of the HD. Six months after the launch of the HR, all models received a safety upgrade with the addition of front safety belts, windscreen washers, reversing lights, sun visors and a shatterproof interior rearview mirror. It was one of the first cars in the world to offer seatbelts.
The same two engine options (161 cubic inch 2.6L inline 6, 114hp and the 186 cubic inch 3.0L inline 6 126hp) were available. The two previous transmission options (2 speed automatic, 3 speed manual) available with the previous model remained.
An Opel sourced four speed manual transmission was offered from August 1967.
HR Holden production totaled 252 352 in just under two years.
The HR had outsold any Holden model that came before it. Over a quarter of a million sold. The emphasis on safety resonated well with the Australian buying public which can be reflected in the sales.
Even with large sale numbers, big changes were about to come in the future, with the next model, the HK.