Despite the misinformed saying the HD was a flop, it actually holds the sales record of monthly sales of any Holden model ever. Actually, no other model has been able to beat the HD's month record held in April or May 1965. Poor resale value compared to the predecessor and replacement models plus an overreaction to the pointy front guards and a tendency to rust quickly had tarnished the reputation. Having said that, It was the first out of the Holden /Falcon /Valiant trio to get curved side glass and it was the only one to have hydraulic lifters and seven main bearings in all its engines. Another thing is that it had the best headroom and the easiest access to a large boot (second in size only to the AP6 Valiant). Those are the pluses.... The minuses are it's primitive king pin front suspension, two speed only in the power glide (whereas the Valiant had a three speed Torque flite automatic transmission and Falcon had three and two speed automatic transmissions) . The Holden (and Valiant) had abysmal legroom and the Holden had questionable road holding due to its narrow track and short wheelbase. I personally think the styling was the most modern if not the most appreciated out of its rivals, and that's saying something because I'm a Ford man, owning seven XP Falcons. The critics have been cruel towards the HD. It was not really the ugly duckling. It was simply a misunderstood model.
It’s ugly, the HR righted the horrible front. So it may not have been a flop sales wise, and that was a big change from the previous model so it was bound to sell, in comparison to the HR and on it is the ugly duckling of the family.
Despite the misinformed saying the HD was a flop, it actually holds the sales record of monthly sales of any Holden model ever. Actually, no other model has been able to beat the HD's month record held in April or May 1965.
Poor resale value compared to the predecessor and replacement models plus an overreaction to the pointy front guards and a tendency to rust quickly had tarnished the reputation. Having said that, It was the first out of the Holden /Falcon /Valiant trio to get curved side glass and it was the only one to have hydraulic lifters and seven main bearings in all its engines. Another thing is that it had the best headroom and the easiest access to a large boot (second in size only to the AP6 Valiant).
Those are the pluses....
The minuses are it's primitive king pin front suspension, two speed only in the power glide (whereas the Valiant had a three speed Torque flite automatic transmission and Falcon had three and two speed automatic transmissions) . The Holden (and Valiant) had abysmal legroom and the Holden had questionable road holding due to its narrow track and short wheelbase.
I personally think the styling was the most modern if not the most appreciated out of its rivals, and that's saying something because I'm a Ford man, owning seven XP Falcons.
The critics have been cruel towards the HD. It was not really the ugly duckling. It was simply a misunderstood model.
But the HR was so much a better car. I'm guessing that is why it isn't considered that highly plus it was only in production for 14 months.
It’s ugly, the HR righted the horrible front. So it may not have been a flop sales wise, and that was a big change from the previous model so it was bound to sell, in comparison to the HR and on it is the ugly duckling of the family.