By DAVID PIKE

Released in January 1968 the HK Holden created many firsts for GMH. The HK was a big car: longer, wider and lower than any Holden before it. Not only were the new Holdens bigger than the models they replaced, they were styled to look even bigger than they were.

The late 1960s were very much an era of growth and optimism worldwide and bold car designs reflected this. It also introduced Holden's first V8 engine, first two-door coupe and first full-on luxury car. According to GMH it heralded `a new era in automotive design and engineering'.

New names ended two decades of Holden Standard and Special models. The base HK Holden was renamed the Belmont and the former Special became the soon-to-be-famous name Kingswood. The Premier name was retained.

The HK six-cylinder engines were mostly unchanged versions of the red 186, 94kW motor, carried over from the HR. Big news was the option of a 157kW Chevrolet 5.0-litre V8. Available throughout the range it was, at first, coupled only to the Powerglide automatic. The Chev V8 was imported because an Australian V8 was still under development.

Utilities and panel vans were released two months later. The ute could be bought as a Belmont or Kingswood, the van only came in Belmont form.

Holden hit the sports coupe market in a big way with the release of the Monaro in July 1968. This was a two-door coupe in the American muscle car mode, which wasn't a lot more expensive than the sedan on which it was based. On release `Wheels' magazine described it as ‘startling’ and the exciting two-door was an immediate hit with buyers. There were three models: Monaro, Monaro GTS and Monaro GTS 327. The high performance 186kW Monaro, which was the Bathurst special, had the same engine and four-speed gearbox as the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Brougham, also released in July 1968, was Holden's first attempt at a big luxury car. It was based on the Premier, but its boot was extended 200mm for a grander appearance. With new wheel trims, a chrome bonnet strip and a black vinyl roof (off-white was optional) externally and inside thick carpeting and imitation woodgrain panelling on the doors and instrument panel and other luxury features it certainly had an upmarket appearance even though air conditioning and power windows were an extra cost option.

General HK improvements included newly designed seats with more padding and higher backrests. Bucket seats were now offered throughout the range. The driving position was also greatly improved with the under-dash handbrake on the left side for easier access to the driver's seat.

Safety suddenly became an important consideration. All models were fitted with an energy-absorbing steering column and steering wheel and extensive interior safety padding. Front seat belts were standard and there were anchorages for rear seat belts. The relocated instrument panel controls had recessed `safety' knobs. The two-millionth Holden, a Brougham, was produced on 3 March 1969. The HK range achieved 199,039 sales.

The HZ remained on sale after the launch of the Commodore in November 1978 and still sold in reasonable numbers.