Holden HK, HT and HG vehicles use a number of identification plates and stamped numbers to identify the model, body style and production details of each vehicle. These identification systems were used by General Motors-Holden’s to track vehicle production and ensure service departments could correctly identify specifications, trim combinations and mechanical components.
Across the HK, HT and HG range the underlying mechanical design remained largely the same regardless of trim level. A Belmont sedan shares the same basic chassis, suspension, steering and drivetrain layout as a Kingswood, Premier or even the luxury Brougham. While trim levels and equipment varied, the fundamental mechanical components remained common across the entire model range.
For restorers and enthusiasts, these identification plates are essential for verifying a vehicle’s original factory configuration.
Location of Identification Plates
On HK, HT and HG Holdens the identification plates are normally mounted on the firewall in the engine compartment. Although factory literature sometimes refers to the “dash panel”, this area is effectively the firewall separating the engine bay from the passenger compartment.
On HG models there are typically three separate identification plates, usually mounted close together on the firewall. These plates are often considered a matching set, but they are separate plates providing different information about the vehicle.
The three plates are:
• Body Identification Plate (Body Tag)
• Vehicle Serial Number Plate (VIN / Chassis Plate)
• Safety Compliance Plate (ADR Plate)
Each plate contains specific information used to identify the vehicle and confirm its original specification.
Body Identification Plate (Body Tag)
The Body Identification Plate is usually the largest of the identification plates and contains manufacturing information relating to the vehicle body.
Information stamped on the body plate includes:
• Model designation
• Body number
• Trim code
• Paint code
• Top colour code
This information identifies the body style and factory finish/options applied during production.
Model Designation and Body Codes
The model number identifies the vehicle series and body style. The prefix letters identify the series (HK, HT or HG), while the numerical code identifies the specific body model.
Typical Holden model codes include:
HK Series Model Codes
• HK 80169 – Belmont Sedan
• HK 80369 – Kingswood Sedan
• HK 81169 – Premier Sedan
• HK 81469 – Brougham Sedan
• HK 80135 – Belmont Station Sedan
• HK 80335 – Kingswood Station Sedan
• HK 81135 – Premier Station Sedan
• HK 80170 – Belmont Panel Van
• HK 80180 – Belmont Utility
• HK 80380 – Kingswood Utility
• HK 80337 – Monaro Coupe
• HK 80737 – Monaro GTS Coupe
HT Series Model Codes
• HT 80169 – Belmont Sedan
• HT 80369 – Kingswood Sedan
• HT 81169 – Premier Sedan
• HT 81469 – Brougham Sedan
• HT 80135 – Belmont Station Sedan
• HT 80335 – Kingswood Station Sedan
• HT 81135 – Premier Station Sedan
• HT 80170 – Belmont Panel Van
• HT 80180 – Belmont Utility
• HT 80380 – Kingswood Utility
• HT 80337 – Monaro Coupe
• HT 80737 – Monaro GTS Coupe
• HT 81837 – Monaro GTS 350 Coupe
HG Series Model Codes
• HG 80169 – Belmont Sedan
• HG 80369 – Kingswood Sedan
• HG 81169 – Premier Sedan
• HG 81469 – Brougham Sedan
• HG 80135 – Belmont Station Sedan
• HG 80335 – Kingswood Station Sedan
• HG 81135 – Premier Station Sedan
• HG 80170 – Belmont Panel Van
• HG 80180 – Belmont Utility
• HG 80380 – Kingswood Utility
• HG 80337 – Monaro Coupe
• HG 80737 – Monaro GTS Coupe
• HG 81837 – Monaro GTS 350 Coupe
These model codes allowed Holden dealers and service departments to identify the exact body configuration of a vehicle.
Body Number
The body number is a sequential production number followed by a suffix letter identifying the assembly plant where the vehicle body was manufactured.
Typical plant codes include:
• A – Adelaide
• B – Brisbane
• M – Melbourne
• S – Sydney
• NZ – New Zealand
This system allowed General Motors-Holden’s to track production across multiple assembly plants.
Trim Code
The trim code identifies the interior trim combination installed during manufacture. This code relates to the interior colours and upholstery used in the vehicle.
Paint Code
The paint code identifies the exterior body colour applied at the factory.
Top Colour Code
On vehicles with two-tone paint schemes the top code identifies the roof or upper body colour. On single colour vehicles the code may match the main paint code.
Vehicle Serial Number Plate (VIN / Chassis Plate)
The Vehicle Serial Number Plate contains the unique serial number identifying the individual vehicle. This number was used by Holden dealers for warranty, servicing and parts identification.
In some cases the chassis number may also be stamped directly onto the firewall or chassis rail.
Safety Compliance Plate (ADR Plate)
HG models were fitted with a Safety Compliance Plate confirming the vehicle complied with Australian Design Rules.
Information stamped on the compliance plate includes:
• Australian Design Rules the vehicle complies with
• Model name and body type
• Month and year of manufacture
• Vehicle serial number
• Gross vehicle weight rating on commercial vehicles
• Seating capacity
HG Series Model Changes
The HG series was essentially a facelift of the HT model, featuring minor styling changes and small mechanical updates. Because of this, most servicing procedures and mechanical specifications for HT models also apply directly to HG vehicles.
For this reason, Holden service information for HG vehicles was often published as a supplement to the existing HK and HT workshop manuals.
Why Identification Plates Matter
For restorers and collectors these plates provide important information about how a vehicle left the factory. By examining the body plate and serial number plates, owners can confirm:
• The original model and body style
• The assembly plant where the vehicle was built
• Interior trim combinations
• Original paint colours
• Production sequence numbers
For classic Holden models such as Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, Brougham and the iconic Monaro, these identification plates are an important part of verifying a vehicle’s originality.
Complete decoding information, mechanical specifications and full servicing procedures are contained in OUR Workshop Manual for Holden HK, HT and HG models, available from Car Manuals Direct.