Celebrating 60 years of Holden. Oct 08

Holden had its first taste of victory at Bathurst in the 1960s and introduced nameplates, such as Kingswood, Torana and Monaro, which are now amongst the most recognised in Australian automotive history.

1961:Holden EK
Featured minor styling changes and mechanical improvements. Also introduced Holden's first automatic transmission (the GM-sourced three-speed Hydramatic) which was well suited to the 2.26 litre engine, with performance and economy not far short of manual shift versions. Also featured three speed electric windscreen wipers, replacing the previous vacuum unit.

Base price when new: £1,106 ($2,212). Total built: 150,214

1962: Holden EJ
Launched a completely new, lower profile streamlined body with more interior space, new foam-padded seating and better all-round visibility. Introduced the name "Premier", to be identified with luxury Holdens for 16 years. The EJ Premier, first with standard metallic paint and auto transmission, offered leather trim bucket seats, heater, carpet, floor console and whitewalls. The EJ had Duo Servo brakes, strengthened front suspension, safety belt anchorages.
Base price when new: £1,051 ($2,102). Total built: 154,811 (included the millionth Holden).

Holden EH - 1963-1965
Originally heralded as the most dramatic new Holden model since the 48-215, the EH stakes a big claim on the title of the nation's all-time most popular car. During just 18 months of manufacture, the EH sold a record 256,959 units to become the fastest selling Australian car ever. Based on the EJ - the first completely new 1960s Holden model - the EH boasted a completely new, much more powerful engine and clever styling changes. Despite these new features, the basic EH was priced at the same level as its predecessor. A wave of public interest prior to the release of this value for money model created unprecedented demand and marked a resurgence of the locally built product amid the rising popularity of cheaper Japanese imports.

The more fuel efficient new powerplant, dubbed the "red engine" (after the colour of its painted block) was available in two versions - a first for GMH. It offered 33 per cent more power than the previous "grey engine" in standard 149 configuration and 53 per cent more power in bigger 179 form. This increased horsepower restored Holden's performance relativity to the superior level benchmarked by the Holden 48-215 in 1948. The bigger 179 engine came standard in the top end Premier and limited edition S4 sports models while a third engine, an economy low compression version of the 149, was also available.

The engines were designed to be smoother, longer lasting and more economical. They also proved ideal for towing, an increasingly popular pastime in the 1960s. Renowned for reliability and long lifespan, a "red engine" would often cover more than 130,000km before any major servicing was required. Competitors' engines at the same time commonly needed this attention at 80,000km.

The EH range offered 24 variants across six models: the Standard, Special, Premier, Coupe utility and panel van.

For the first time, Holden buyers could also experience the luxury appointments of the Premier range in a station wagon. The S4 sports sedan model, produced in small numbers (120) for use in motor sport, was the only version to combine the powerful 179 engine with three-speed manual transmission.

The EH owed much of its success to its universal appeal. It was inexpensive, practical, economical, relatively quick and ideal for modification. Its familiar good looks and high status ensured its enduring popularity.

1965: Holden HD
With a completely new body, the longest and widest yet, the HD offered big increases in passenger and load space, higher equipment levels, larger, self-adjusting brakes, optional front discs, new ball joint front suspension, alternator and two-speed Powerglide auto transmission. It also gave buyers the greatest choice yet: eight models, an expanded option list and three engines, including the powerful, twin carburettor 2.95 litre 'X2' version of the 179, which developed 105kW.
Base price when new: £1,160 ($2,320). Total built: 178,927.

1966: Holden HR
The re-worked HR offered a sleeker, more modern profile, plusher cabin trimmings and improved performance. It pioneered the standard fitment of front seat belts, windscreen washers, padded sunvisors, exterior rear view mirror and shatterproof rearview mirror. It included the most powerful Holden engine so far, the 186S, the first automatic choke and the first 4-speed manual floorshift option. Limited slip differential was also optional.
Base price when new: $2,167. Total built: 252,352.

Holden HK - 1968-69
The all-new Holden HK was the most ambitious series to date, bringing a large array of additional models and new mechanical features, including the iconic Monaro nameplate and an imported V8 engine. The HK also introduced the now famous Kingswood name for the volumeselling model.

The HK was bigger, lower, heavier and more rounded in appearance. The two major model additions were the Brougham luxury variant and the Monaro sports coupe. The V8 engine was available on all models and proved a massive success.

The base model HK was called Belmont and the model formerly called Special became the much-loved Kingswood.

The upmarket Premier was retained and, in July 1968, an extended version of the HK sedan, the Brougham, was released. It was more than 20cm longer than the Premier and featured the Chrevrolet "307" V8 engine, automatic transmission, power steering and the most plush Holden interior yet.

Monaro arrived in July 1968 and won a legion of fans with its pillarless coupe styling and performance credentials. Based on the HK sedan, it was the first local vehicle of its type.

Three models were offered, including the potent "Bathurst-bred" GTS 327, fitted with a US-built, 5.3 litre V8 engine.

With the HK, Holden offered a larger choice of models, engines, transmissions and options than had previously been seen in a mass-produced Australian car. Safety features fitted to all models included an energy absorbing steering column (another local first) and a dual circuit braking system.

Also in 1968-69:
-Torana bodies were made in Australia for the first time and work progressed on a V8 engine plant at Fishermans Bend.
-Bruce McPhee and Barry Mulholland, driving a Monaro GTS 327 V8, won the Hardie-Ferodo 500, giving Holden its first victory in the annual Bathurst production car endurance race.
-A new Safety Design Centre opened at Holden's Proving Ground in Lang Lang, Victoria, with an impact sled and a 10-tonne concrete barrier for crash testing.

1958: A £9 million expansion of plant and manufacturing facilities, aimed at increasing annual production to 125,000 units, is announced. Planning of a new facility at Elizabeth, S.A., begins.
-The FC Holden is launched in May.
-Holden passenger cars account for 47.4 per cent of total registrations, the Holden Ute records 49.6 percent of the light commercial market.
-The total number of Holdens produced exceeds 500,000.
-Employee numbers reach 18,699 - an increase of over 10,000 in 10 years.
-Work begins on a banked, circular high-speed test track at the Lang Lang proving ground.

1959: Total exports since 1954 exceed 14,000. Assembly of CKD Holden Ute commences in Indonesia and South Africa.
-New Body Hardware plant at Elizabeth (S.A.) begins production.
-The first transistor car radios are offered as an option.
-Harlow W. Gage is appointed Managing Director.

1960: The FB Holden is launched in January.
-Holden sales top 12,000 per month.
-Left-hand drive production for export markets begins, the first shipment to Hawaii follows.

1961: The EK Holden is launched in May.

1962: A new body assembly plant opens at Elizabeth, a new 6-cylinder engine plant at Fishermans Bend nears completion.
-The EJ Holden is launched in July.
-When the millionth Holden, a gold EJ Premier, is built at Dandenong in October, it is estimated that if these cars were placed bumper to bumper they would stretch from Geraldton (W.A.) to Townsville (Qld).
-David L. Heglund is appointed Managing Director.

1963: The new engine plant and foundry commence operations at Fishermans Bend; capacity is 700 engines a day.
-Further expansion plans, with a 175,000 annual production target, are announced.
-Elizabeth (SA) trim assembly plant and paint shop commence operations.
-The EH Holden is introduced in August.
-GM-H retains sales leadership for 12th successive year, sets new sales records.
-Dealers and distributors with Holden franchises operate in 59 export territories, exports total 10,798 units.

1964: GM-H employee total reaches 23,914
-A new Technical Centre opens at Fishermans Bend. It houses over 900 designers, engineers, draftsmen, modellers, technicians and skilled tradesmen and provides state of the art automotive design and development facilities.
-Trim fabrication plant commences operation at Elizabeth (SA).
-Construction of Acacia Ridge (Qld) plant commences.
-The EH is the best selling Holden model thus far (250,000 units).

1965: The radical new HD model is introduced in February.
-Holden retains long term sales leadership record, outselling its nearest competitor by more than 3:1. One out of every three cars on Australian roads is a Holden.
-Exports increase by 41 per cent to total 19,369 units.
-A new, mechanised grey iron foundry at Fishermans Bend begins pouring.
-The 1,500,000th Holden is produced, at the Pagewood Plant, Sydney. Australian content exceeds 95 per cent.
-601 Holden dealerships nationwide employ over 20,000 people.

1966: The HR Holden is launched in April.
-GM-H is the first Australian manufacturer to fit seat belts on all models. Its vehicles provide class-leading levels of standard safety features.
-Investment in expansion continues. Vehicle assembly at the Acacia Ridge, Qld, plant commences.
-Student Driver Education program announced.
-Australian-made torque converter production commences at Dandenong.
-Holden accounts for 56.2 per cent of all Australian motor vehicle exports.
-Max E. Wilson is appointed Managing Director.

1967 : GM-H increases its market coverage and improves its market position with the launch of the first small Holden, the HB Torana. It takes its name from an Aboriginal word meaning 'to fly' and is based on the Vauxhall Viva.
-The 100,000th export Holden is produced.
-New nodular iron foundry, officially opened by Prime Minister Harold Holt, commences production at Fishermans Bend.
-Safety Design Test Centre at Lang Lang proving ground and automatic transmission plant announced; new electroplating plant opens at Woodville (SA).

1968: The HK Holden is introduced in January.
-The Holden Monaro and Brougham models make their debuts in July.
-Holden introduces the energy-absorbing steering column to the Australian market.
-Torana bodies are made in Australia for the first time.
-Work progresses on a V8 engine plant at Fishermans Bend.
-More than 4,000 Australian companies are supplying Holden with components, materials and services.
-Alexander D. Rhea is appointed Managing Director.
-McPhee/Mulholland win the Bathurst enduro in a Monaro GTS.

1969: The two millionth Holden, a gold HK Brougham, is produced in March at Dandenong.
-The HT Holden is launched in May.
-Australia's first automotive Safety Design Test Centre opens at Lang Lang proving ground, complete with barrier test and Hyge sled facilities.
-A V8 engine manufacturing plant opens at Fishermans Bend. The first Australian-made V8, developed at a cost of $22.5 million, is exhibited in the advanced, mid-engined Holden Hurricane experimental car.
-Automatic transmission production commences.
-The two millionth Holden is produced .
-GM-H moves into the small/medium market sector with the launch of the locally designed 6 and 4 cylinder LC Torana series, which includes the sporty Torana GTR.
-GM-H employs almost 26,000 people at 10 locations nationwide.
-The Bond/Roberts Monaro GTS wins Bathurst in the Holden Dealer Team's debut year.

Also in 1963-65:
-Holden's new $11 million engine plant and foundry opened at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne, Victoria.
-Holden produces 166, 274 cars during 1963. Of these, 10,798 were shipped to 55 overseas markets.
-Holden's Design and Engineering group moved to a new Technical Centre at Fishermans Bend. The state of the art facility catered for 900 designers, engineers, draftsmen, modellers and technicians.