W następnym sezonie, w modelach serii HT, ofertę uzupełniono o jednostkę V8-4,2/5,7.
Powołano zespół pod nazwą Research and Development and Advanced Styling Groups. Jego pierwszym zadaniem miało być skonstruowanie dwumiejscowego, taniego samochodu sportowego.
On 3 March 1969 Alexander Rhea, managing director of General Motors-Holden's, was joined by press photographers and the Federal Minister of Shipping and Transport, Ian Sinclair as the two men drove the two millionth Holden, an HK Brougham off the production line. This came just over half a decade since the one millionth car, an EJ Premier sedan rolled off the Dandenong line on 25 October 1962.
Following the Chevrolet V8 fitted to the HK, the first Australian-designed and mass-produced V8, the Holden V8 engine debuted in the Hurricane concept of 1969 before fitment to facelifted HT model.
In September 1968, the '69 Torana' was released, called the HB Series II. This feature locally made body panels, replacing the imported bodies of the original HB. The model line up now include a 4-door sedan which was developed in Australia, with four-door bodies shipped back to the UK to be constructed and sold as the Viva. A collapsable steering column is now fitted, together with a new recessed instrument cluster, new indicator switch, and new steering wheel borrowed from the contemporary full-sized Holden. These local components replaced the previously imported Vauxhall items. A consequence of using these local components is the loss of the stalk operated headlight dip switch and horn. The dip switch ended up on the floor, as is the case for full-size Holdens. Dual circuit brakes are now standard on all models, though power assisted front disc brakes are still optional with the standard 56 bhp engine. The Brabham Torana is available, in two-door form only. It now include a sports steering wheel similar to the contemporary Holden Monaro GTS, full instrumentation, different badging, and different black accenting. The HB Torana continued until late 1969. Total production was 16,318 with imported panels and 20,243 with the locally manufactured bodies.
The HK range was replaced by the Holden HT series in May, production having totaled 199,039 units.
Holden HT Belmont, Kingswood and Premier models were introduced in May 1969, replacing their Holden HK series equivalents which had been in production since 1968. HT Brougham and Monaro models followed in June 1969. Noticeable changes from the HK series include new grilles, new taillights, flatter rear flanks and a wider back window. Other changes include increased track width, revised suspension, a new instrument panel and synchromesh on all forward gears on manual gearbox models. 161-cubic-inch (2.6-litre) and 186-cubic-inch (3.0-litre) six-cylinder engines are carried over from the HK range. Australian manufactured 253-cubic-inch (4.2-litre) and 308-cubic-inch (5.0-litre) V8 engines are new, replacing the imported 307-cubic-inch (5.0-litre) V8. Initially the 308 was only fitted to the Brougham, and existing stocks of the imported 307 were used in other models. Once these supplies were exhausted, the 308 V8 was made available as an option across the HT range. The 327-cubic-inch (5.3-litre) Chevrolet V8 that powered the HK Monaro GTS 327 is replaced by a 350-cubic-inch (5.8-litre) Chevrolet V8 in the newly introduced HT Monaro GTS 350 model. Three-speed manual, four-speed manual and two-speed “Powerglide” automatic transmissions are offered.
The new generation of Toranas appeared in October 1969 and is available with either a four- or six-cylinder engines. The inline six have a capacity of 138 cu.in. (badged as the '2250'). The six-cylinder cars have a longer wheelbase (100 inches against the 95.8 inches (2,430 mm) of four-cylinder models), a more aggressively styled slightly longer nose to accommodate the larger engine, and offer a choice of three and four-speed manual gearbox or a three-speed Trimatic automatic transmission. Body styles are all new and available in either two or four doors, and are offered in S or SL trim. Bench or bucket front seats are also an option, along with disc front brakes. The Torana become Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1969.
The first Australian-designed and mass-produced V8, the Holden V8 engine debuted in the Hurricane concept before fitment to facelifted HT model.
