Holden HR Technical Specifications

Send This Page To A Friend
Fade To White


HR Holden Special Sedan
Holden Colour Codes A - L
Holden Colour Codes A - L
Holden Colour Codes M -Z
Holden Colour Codes M -Z
  • 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


    Holden HR
    A Wonderful Moment of Discovery:

    (circa 1966)

    Into your own private world, a wonderful moment of discovery. The time is now - and the car is Holden - new 1966 Turbo-smooth Holden. Yes, something’s happened to Holden. Look, look again, look closely. The time is now, and the car is Holden engineered to a new Turbo-smooth power. Your world changes around you when you discover new Holden. This year Holden’s gone all-out on everything except the price - new style, new comfort, new car. Discover new Turbo-smooth Holden for yourself. You only have to drive it once to discover nothing else will do...

    Also see:
    Holden HR Gallery
    Holden Red Motor
    Holden History
    Holden Car Commercials
    Nasco Holden HR Accessories Brochure
    Nasco Holden Accessories Commercials

Latest Classic Car Classifieds