1965 Holden HD Station Wagon

Description

Holden replaced the ageing EH with a stylish new family car in February 1965 featuring so-called “Space-Curve” bodywork clearly influenced by Opel in Germany.  Taking on Ford’s latest XP Falcon, the HD was both wider and longer than its predecessor, with an extended range of engines and the new Powerglide automatic transmission with torque converter.  Other improvements included better brakes (front discs were optional from May 1965) with an auto-adjustment, while the electrics were also revised, an alternator replacing the generator found on earlier models.  Holden’s engineers also revamped the suspension, dubbed the “Improved Red Carpet Ride” by the marketing department.  The base 149-cid and mid-level 179-cid engines were joined by the more powerful X2 motor, developing 140 bhp thanks to twin carburettors, a revised camshaft, manifolds and exhaust system.  Trim levels ranged from the basic Standard, to the mid-level Special and top-of-the-line Premier.  The HD was available as a sedan, station wagon while the commercial line-up, consisting of a panel van and ute, arrived in July 1965.  The wagon, known as the Station Sedan in period parlance, featured a new wind-up tail-gate window (a power window was optional) and increased load space thanks to the HD’s longer 106-inch wheelbase, the floor protected by skid strips.  Production of the HD ultimately reached 178,927 units before it was phased out in April 1966 and the model remains one of the classic Sixties Holdens.