HR Holden Specifications

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2025-06-26.

HR Holden Special Sedan click here for info…

Holden Colour Codes A - L

Holden Colour Codes M -Z

GM Holden Price Guide

• Years of Manufacture: 1966 - 1968

• Number Built: 252,352

• Price at Introduction: $2167

• To Identify:

• Revised version of HD body with turn signals set within grille

• Squared off front guards

• Headlights feature squarish chrome surrounds

• Grille features horizontal centre bar

• Models:

  • Standard Sedan
  • Special Sedan
  • Premier Sedan
  • Standard Station Sedan
  • Special Station Sedan
  • Premier Station Sedan
  • Panel Van
  • Utility

• Date(s) of Introduction:

  • All models: April, 1966
  • Four Speed Manual and “186S” Engine: June, 1967

• What they changed from the HD

  • New engines — now 161 and 186 cu. in.; bigger clutch in manuals; lower profile tyres; wider track; new colors; new upholstery; more seat padding; bigger rear window; lower boot sill; ball joints instead of king pins in suspension; new grille; new parking and tail lights; optional limited slip diff available; chassis lube intervals extended to 12/300 miles; new exhaust system; new wraparound bumpers; water heater manifold on all engines; bench front seat option for Premiers.

• Pricing:

  • Basic prices remained unchanged.
  • Standard 161 sedan $2140
  • Standard 161 wagon $2320
  • Special 161 sedan $2260
  • Special 161 wagon $2442
  • Premier 186 $2658
  • Premier 186 wagon $2840
  • 186ci engine available on standard and specials at $48 extra; 145 bhp X2 engine available at $146 extra on Standard and Special and $96 on Premier.
  • Automatic Powerglide transmission $230
  • Disc brakes $45
  • Power Steering $112

• Body:

  • Unitary construction (Monocoque)

• Exterior Dimensions:

  • Total Length:
    • Sedans: 181.1 inches (4600mm)
    • Station Sedan: 180.2 inches (4577mm)
  • Total Width:
    • 70 inches (1778mm)
  • Total Height at kerb weight:
    • Sedans: 58.3 inches (1481mm)
    • Station Sedans: 58.5 inches (1486mm)
  • Wheelbase: 106.0 inches (2692mm)
  • Front Track: 53.9 inches (1369mm)
  • Rear Track: 54.9 inches (1394mm)

• Kerb Weight:

  • Premier Sedan: 2682lb (1217kg)
  • Special Sedan: 2608lb (1183kg)
  • Standard Sedan: 2601b (1178kg)
  • Premier Station Sedan: 2822lb (1280kg)
  • Special Station Sedan: 2755lb (1250kg)
  • Standard Station Sedan: 2738lb (1242kg)
  • Powerglide Automatic Transmission: Add +39lb (18kg)

• Turning Circle:

  • 36.5ft (11.1 metres)

• Fuel Tank Capacity:

  • 11.5 gallons (53.3 litres)

• Instruments:

  • Speedometer
  • Petrol gauge
  • Water Temperature warning lamp (except X2)
  • Water Temperature gauge (X2 only)
  • Oil warning lamp (except X2)
  • Oil pressure gauge (X2 only)
  • Generator warning lamp
  • Ammeter (X2 only)
  • Turn Signal lamps
  • High Beam warning lamp

• 2.64 161 “Low Compression” Engine:

  • Capacity: 2638cc 161 cubic inches (2.640 litres)
  • Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 6 cylinders
  • Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
  • Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
  • Fuel System: Bendix-Stromberg single barrel downdraft type carburettor
  • Bore and Stroke: 3.375 x 3.00 inches (85.7 x 76.2mm)
  • Power: 108bhp (81kw) at 4400rpm
  • Torque: 146lb-ft (198Nm) at 2000rpm
  • Compression Ratio: 8.2:1

• 3.05 “186” X2 Engine:

  • Capacity: 3048cc 186 cubic inches (3.048 litres)
  • Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 6 cylinders
  • Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
  • Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
  • Fuel System: Twin carburettor
  • Bore and Stroke: 3.625 x 3.00 inches (92.1 x 76.2mm)
  • Power: 145bhp (108kw) at 4600rpm
  • Torque: 184lb-ft (249Nm) at 2200rpm
  • Compression Ratio: 9.2:1

• 3.05 “186S” Engine:

  • Capacity: 3048cc 186 cubic inches (3.048 litres)
  • Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 6 cylinders
  • Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
  • Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
  • Fuel System: Bendix-Stromberg twin barrel single downdraft type carburettor
  • Bore and Stroke: 3.625 x 3.00 inches (92.1 x 76.2mm)
  • Power: 145bhp (108kw) at 4600rpm
  • Torque: 184lb-ft (249Nm) at 2200rpm
  • Compression Ratio: 9.2:1

• Ignition and Electrical:

  • 12 volt
  • Coil and distributor with automatic centrifrugal and vacuum type advance control

• Exhaust:

  • New exhaust manifold is of free flow design and has generous cross sections to aid exhaust gas flow.
  • The manifold heat valve and thermostat is no longer required
  • Larger diameter exhaust and front tail pipes are used
  • X2 Engine option includes a completely new exhaust system of low restriction contributing to the power increase
  • “Y” connected exhaust pipes lead to a new single entry muffler and new resonator
  • The “Y” junction has been located for maximum output

• Manual Transmission (3 speed):

  • 1st: 2.99:1
  • 2nd: 1.59:1
  • 3rd: 1.00:1
  • Reverse: 2.99:1

• Manual Transmission (4 speed):

  • 1st: 3.428:1
  • 2nd: 2.156:1
  • 3rd: 1.366:1
  • 4th: 1.000:1
  • Reverse: 3.317:1

• Powerglide Automatic Transmission (2 speed):

  • 1st: 1.82:1
  • 2nd: 1.1:1
  • Reverse: 1.82:1

• Clutch:

  • GMH diaphragm single dry plate
  • Belleville diaphragm

• Rear Axle Ratio:

  • 3.55:1

• Engine/Transmission Combinations:

  • 186 and “X2” optional on all Standard and Special models
  • X2 optional on Premier models
  • Three speed manual and Powerglide automatic transmissions available across all engines
  • Four speed manual transmission available on 186S late in model series

• Top Speed in Gears:

  • 186 HR Special Sedan Manual:
    • 1st: 35 mph (56 km/h)
    • 2nd: 64 mph (103 km/h)
    • 3rd: 97 mph (156 km/h)
    • 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 12.9 seconds
    • Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres): 18.5 seconds
  • 186 HR Premier Sedan Powerglide Automatic:
    • 1st: 60 mph (97 km/h)
    • 2nd: 87.1 mph (140 km/h)
    • 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 15.3 seconds
    • Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres): 19.5 seconds
  • 161 HR Special Sedan Manual:
    • 1st: 33 mph (53 km/h)
    • 2nd: 64 mph (103 km/h)
    • 3rd: 91.7 mph (148 km/h)
    • 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 14.3 seconds
    • Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres): 19.9 seconds

• Suspension:

  • Front: Short and long arm independent type with coil springs. Stabiliser bar. Direct acting tubular telescopic shocks
  • Rear: Semi-elliptic springs, four leaves on Sedan, five leaves on Station Sedan. Direct acting tubular telescopic shocks

• Steering:

  • Recirculating ball type, ratio 16.8:1
  • Optional Power Assisted steering available

• Brakes:

  • Front: Hydraulic 9 inch (229mm) drums, Disc brakes optional
  • Rear: Hydraulic 9 inch (229mm) drums

• Wheels:

  • Demountable disc wheels

• Tyres:

  • Tubeless 6.40x13 Dunlop B7 Plus four-ply medium low profile tyres
  • Six-ply optional on all models.
  • Safety rims

  [![

  ](/movies/holden/Holden_HR_2.jpg)](/movies/holden/Holden_HR_2.m4v)

  Holden HR
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  (circa 1966)

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  Also see:Holden HR GalleryHolden Red Motor
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