The Holden HK, Holden HT and Holden HG are three cars sold one after the other by Australian car company Holden. Together, they were on the market between 1968 and 1971, with each vehicle only lasting on the market for a year or so.
Holden HK (1968-1969)
The Holden HK series consisted of thirteen different models. This mid-size car came in body types of a 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon, 2-door coupe, 2-door coupe utility, and 2-door panel van.
There were three trim levels for the Holden HK, namely, the Belmont, Kingswood, and Premier. The Belmont was the base model, while Kingswood had slightly more features and added comfort. The Premier trim level included only the highest features available at the time, including four headlights and a roofline that made it stand out when compared to any other model.
The Holden HK came with three different powertrain options. These were paired with 3- and 4-speed manual transmissions as well as a 2-speed automatic transmission designed by General Motors known as 'Powerglide'. The engine options were:
- 2.6-litre Holden 161 six-cylinder petrol engine with a maximum output of 85 kW of power and 212 Nm of torque
- 3.0-litre Holden 186 six-cylinder petrol engine with a maximum output of 95 kW of power and 244 Nm of torque
- 5.0-litre Chevrolet 307 V8 petrol engine with a maximum output of 151 kW of power and 409 Nm of torque
The Holden HK was the first Holden vehicle ever to feature a V8 engine. After producing close to 200,000 units, the Holden HK was replaced by the Holden HT.
Holden HT (1969-1970)
When the Holden HT was released, some model names were replaced and now known as the Holden HT Belmont, Kingswood, and Premier. Just months later, this lineup also included the Brougham and Monaro models. The same body types were on offer, and sedan, station wagon, coupe, coupe utility, and panel van options were all available.
Compared to the HK, the new Holden HT now had a redesigned exterior. It came with new taillights, new grille, rear flanks that were much flatter this time around, and most notably, a wider back window.
The vehicle's changes weren't all aesthetics, though. The Holden HT also had more track width, a new suspension, an updated instrument panel and synchromesh on all forward gears for the manual transmission models.
Transmission-wise, the HT offered 3- and 4-speed manual, and a 2-speed Powerglide automatic as well. A 3-speed Tri-Matic automatic transmission was also introduced. The following engines were offered for this model:
- 2.6-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with a maximum output of 85 kW of power and 212 Nm of torque
- 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with a maximum output of 97 kW of power and 244 Nm of torque
- 4.1-litre V8 petrol engine with a maximum output of 138 kW of power and 355 Nm of torque
- 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine with a maximum output of 179 kW of power and 425 Nm of torque
After producing about 180,000 units, Holden discontinued the HT and replaced it with the Holden HG in 1970.
Holden HG (1970-1971)
The Holden HG is the last of the HK-HT-HG trio. This car also came in models from the base model to top-of-the-line trims called Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, Brougham and Monaro.
Aside from the grilles and aesthetic features that were updated from the Holden HT, the Holden HG also saw newer safety features being included. Models carrying the V8 engine even received better disc brakes this time around.
Like the HK and the HT, the Holden HG was also mid-size and offered body type options of sedan, station wagon, coupe, coupe utility, and panel van just like its predecessors.
The transmission was the same with 3- and 4-speed manual transmission, 2-speed Powerglide automatic, and 3-speed Tri-Matic automatic.
These transmissions were paired with the following engine options:
- 2.6-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with a maximum output of 85 kW of power and 212 Nm of torque
- 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with a maximum output of 97 kW of power and 244 Nm of torque
- 4.1-litre V8 petrol engine with a maximum output of 138 kW of power and 355 Nm of torque
- 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine with a maximum output of 151kW of power and 409 Nm of torque.
By 1971, the Holden HG was replaced with the Holden HQ series. By then, Holden had produced about 155,000 units of the HG in total.
These cars are icons of Australia’s automobile industry back in the 60s through the 70s. If you own one and have no more use for it, why not sell it to interested collectors and enthusiasts? You can increase its visibility by advertising at Carpart’s classified ads section. Ask us how at hello@carpart.com.au!