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. This car has enjoyed a tremendous response from the Australian public. Its success is still very much alive, Holden holding approximately half of the Australian car market. Nevertheless, it now has to face new challenges from General Motors’ archrivals, Ford and Chrysler.
Holden Standard
The Holden FB has not lived long before being succeeded by yet another derivative of the original FE from 1956. Apart from styling changes, the EK now enjoys electric windshield wipers on all models.
● Introduction: July 1956 as the FE, May 1961 as the EK. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.3-litre, 75 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: 462 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden Special
The Special is a fancier version of the EK, which benefits from an improved equipment, more chrome, and two-tone paint and upholstery. The EK has also introduced a GM Hydramatic automatic transmission imported from the United States, available as an option.
● Introduction: July 1956 as the FE, May 1961 as the EK. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.3-litre, 75 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 462 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden Commercial
The EK Commercial series gathers the “Utility” or “Ute”, a pickup that has already proved very popular in rural areas, and a panel van variant. This line did not benefit from all the cosmetic improvements enjoyed by the other EK models, as most of these cars’ rear part remains unchanged.
● Introduction: February 1957 as the FE, May 1961 as the EK. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.3-litre, 75 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: 462 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: 1957 – 1958 – 1959 – 1960 – 1961 – 1962
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
The Holden FB has not lived long before being succeeded by yet another derivative of the original FE from 1956. Apart from styling changes, the EK now enjoys electric windshield wipers on all models.
● Introduction: July 1956 as the FE, May 1961 as the EK. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.3-litre, 75 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: 462 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden Special
The Special is a fancier version of the EK, which benefits from an improved equipment, more chrome, and two-tone paint and upholstery. The EK has also introduced a GM Hydramatic automatic transmission imported from the United States, available as an option.
● Introduction: July 1956 as the FE, May 1961 as the EK. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.3-litre, 75 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 462 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door station sedan.
Holden Commercial
The EK Commercial series gathers the “Utility” or “Ute”, a pickup that has already proved very popular in rural areas, and a panel van variant. This line did not benefit from all the cosmetic improvements enjoyed by the other EK models, as most of these cars’ rear part remains unchanged.
● Introduction: February 1957 as the FE, May 1961 as the EK. Construction: monocoque. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.3-litre, 75 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: 462 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: 1957 – 1958 – 1959 – 1960 – 1961 – 1962
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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