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. In January 1956, the 100,000th FJ is produced, while Holden starts an offensive towards foreign markets: its products are now exported to New Zealand and several South-East Asian countries. The future seems bright for a company that is celebrating its 100th birthday.
Holden Standard
Initially launched in November 1948, the very first Australian-made automobile has now evolved into a less spartan FJ model. More chrome brightens the car on the outside, while the option list is lengthened. Nevertheless, it remains a rugged and simple vehicle, well suited for the task of coping with the hard local conditions.
● Introduction: November 1948 as the 48-215, since October 1953 as the FJ. 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, solid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 440 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Holden Business
The Business is a simplified version of the FJ, that is mostly aimed at taxicab operators.
● Introduction: November 1948 for the original Holden, July 1953 as the 48-215 Business, since October 1953 as the FJ Business. 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, solid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 440 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Holden Special
The Special is a version of the FJ designed for those Australian drivers who find the Holden too austere. To content them, a host of minor improvements have been added to the car, that is available with an elegant two-tone paint.
● Introduction: November 1948 for the original Holden, October 1953 as the FJ Special. 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, solid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 440 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Holden Commercial
The Commercial series gathers the “Utility” or “Ute”, a pickup that has already proved very popular in rural areas, and a panel van variant.
● Introduction: November 1948 for the original Holden, January 1951 as the 50-2106, since October 1953 as the FJ Commercial. 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, solid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 440 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: two-door “Utility” pickup, two-door panel van.
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 Standard
Initially launched in November 1948, the very first Australian-made automobile has now evolved into a less spartan FJ model. More chrome brightens the car on the outside, while the option list is lengthened. Nevertheless, it remains a rugged and simple vehicle, well suited for the task of coping with the hard local conditions.
● Introduction: November 1948 as the 48-215, since October 1953 as the FJ. 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, solid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 440 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Holden Business
The Business is a simplified version of the FJ, that is mostly aimed at taxicab operators.
● Introduction: November 1948 for the original Holden, July 1953 as the 48-215 Business, since October 1953 as the FJ Business. 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, solid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 440 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Holden Special
The Special is a version of the FJ designed for those Australian drivers who find the Holden too austere. To content them, a host of minor improvements have been added to the car, that is available with an elegant two-tone paint.
● Introduction: November 1948 for the original Holden, October 1953 as the FJ Special. 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, solid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 440 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Holden Commercial
The Commercial series gathers the “Utility” or “Ute”, a pickup that has already proved very popular in rural areas, and a panel van variant.
● Introduction: November 1948 for the original Holden, January 1951 as the 50-2106, since October 1953 as the FJ Commercial. 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, solid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 440 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: two-door “Utility” pickup, two-door panel van.
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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