The protracted dream of a mass-produced Australian automobile has become reality on October 1, 1948, when the very first Holden 48-215 left the assembly line. The car has enjoyed a tremendous response from the Australian public, making necessary for Holden to announce an ambitious expansion program in order to cope with the demand.
Holden 48-215
The very first Australian-made automobile is on the market, though it is actually based on an American design that has been shelved shortly after the end of the war. It is a rugged and simple vehicle, devoid of any refinement, but well suited for the task of coping with the hard local conditions.
● Introduction: November 1948. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.2-litre, 60 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 437 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Holden 48-215 Business
Late during the production run of the car, an even more simplified variant of the Holden is introduced, the Business. It is being mostly aimed at taxicab and other fleet operators.
● Introduction: November 1948 for the original Holden, July 1953 for the Business version. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.2-litre, 60 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 437 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Holden 50-2106
During last year, Holden has complemented its sedan with an equally rugged and rather good-looking pickup, christened “Utility” or “Ute” in short.
● Introduction: November 1948 for the original Holden, January 1951 for its pickup version. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.2-litre, 60 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 437 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: two-door “Utility” pickup.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1949 – 1950 – 1951 – 1952 – 1953 – 1954 – 1955 – 1956
Click here to return to a list of all Holden vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
Holden 48-215
The very first Australian-made automobile is on the market, though it is actually based on an American design that has been shelved shortly after the end of the war. It is a rugged and simple vehicle, devoid of any refinement, but well suited for the task of coping with the hard local conditions.
● Introduction: November 1948. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.2-litre, 60 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 437 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Holden 48-215 Business
Late during the production run of the car, an even more simplified variant of the Holden is introduced, the Business. It is being mostly aimed at taxicab and other fleet operators.
● Introduction: November 1948 for the original Holden, July 1953 for the Business version. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.2-litre, 60 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 437 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Holden 50-2106
During last year, Holden has complemented its sedan with an equally rugged and rather good-looking pickup, christened “Utility” or “Ute” in short.
● Introduction: November 1948 for the original Holden, January 1951 for its pickup version. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.2-litre, 60 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 437 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: two-door “Utility” pickup.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1949 – 1950 – 1951 – 1952 – 1953 – 1954 – 1955 – 1956
Click here to return to a list of all Holden vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
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