The Holden Brougham was a full-size luxury car produced by Holden from 1968 to 1971. It was a quick response to Ford Australia’s successful Fairlane and was the first Holden powered by the company’s own 308 cubic inch V8. It was replaced by the long-wheelbase Statesman in 1971.
Holden Brougham at a glance
| Maker | Holden, Australia |
|---|---|
| Production | 1968–1971 |
| Series | HK (July 1968), HT (1969), HG (1970) |
| Based on | Holden Premier |
| Body change | boot extended 200 mm (8 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,819 mm (111 in), unchanged from the Premier |
| Grille | four-headlight Premier grille |
| Gearbox | automatic only: two-speed, three-speed from HG |
| HK engine | Chevrolet 307 V8 |
| HT and HG engine | Holden 308 V8 |
| Replaced by | Statesman, on the HQ platform, 1971 |
| South Africa | sold as Chevrolet Constantia, 1969–1971 |
History of the Holden Brougham
A reply to the Fairlane
The Brougham was a hasty response to Ford Australia’s successful Fairlane. Rather than build an entirely new long-wheelbase car, Holden took the Premier and lengthened the rear body: the boot grew by 8 inches (200 mm) while the 111-inch (2,819 mm) wheelbase stayed as it was. The four-headlight Premier grille was carried over unchanged. The HK series Brougham was launched in July 1968, alongside the Holden Monaro coupé.
Because of its luxury positioning the Brougham came only with an automatic transmission, at first a two-speed and then a three-speed after the HG series was launched. The HK series was available only with the Chevrolet 307 V8.
HT: the first Holden 308
The HT series was announced in 1969 with the new Holden-designed and built 308 V8, and the Brougham was the first Holden to be powered by it. For the rest of the HT range the 308 became available in September 1969. The engine carried over to the HG series Brougham of 1970.
The end and the Constantia
Throughout its production life the Ford Fairlane outsold the Brougham by a large margin. In 1971 the Brougham was replaced by the long-wheelbase Statesman models built on the redesigned HQ platform.
From 1969 to 1971 the car was also marketed in South Africa as the Chevrolet Constantia. Besides the name change it had a unique grille and trafficators on the leading edge of the front fenders, and it used a Chevrolet 250 inline-six with an optional Chevrolet 307 V8, both with the two-speed Powerglide automatic.
Design and features
- Long boot, standard wheelbase: the extra length went behind the rear axle, not into the wheelbase.
- Automatic only: a deliberate marker of the car’s luxury position.
- Premier grille: four headlights carried straight over from the donor car.
- Holden 308 V8: the Brougham was the first Holden to use the locally built engine.
- South African twin: the Chevrolet Constantia added trafficators and a six-cylinder option.
Holden Brougham versions
- HK Brougham (1968–1969): Chevrolet 307 V8 and two-speed automatic.
- HT Brougham (1969–1970): the first Holden 308 V8.
- HG Brougham (1970–1971): three-speed automatic.
- Chevrolet Constantia (1969–1971): South African version with a 250 six or 307 V8.
The Brougham was based on the Holden Premier and was replaced by the long-wheelbase Statesman and Caprice. More cars are in the Holden collection.
Video: HK Holden Brougham
Video by Gamer Joy drr281 on YouTube.
Sources
- Holden Brougham, English Wikipedia: models, engines, dimensions, South Africa
_sedan_(21319938005).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}