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HOLDEN HISTORY
April 1998

Golden Holden's : The FB Series (1960)

At the time of the FB’s launch in January 1960, man was still to set foot on the moon, the Berlin Wall had not been built and the Vietnam War was yet to touch the lives of Australians.

The fifties had brought about a huge infusion of American influence as the nation rocked to Elvis and watched I Love Lucy, Perry Mason and Bonanza on television. Men sported lavishly oiled hair and sideburns for the de rigeur ‘Teddyboy’ look while women jived in bobbysocks and pleated short skirts.

The FB Holden, with its all-new body, reflected the popularity of all things American, integrating elements of US design into a more muted Australian style.

Featuring a new wraparound windscreen, prominent chrome detailing, large rear fins and two-tone acrylic paintwork, the FB Holden quickly evoked comparisons with the famous ‘57 Chevrolet range. The FB was bigger than its FC predecessor and offered Australian families a more efficient interior layout, finished with an ornate new dashboard design, and a larger boot.

Mechanically the FB was a further refinement of the FC, making use of a more powerful ‘Grey’ engine (named for the colour of the engine block). The six-cylinder unit was bored a further 1/16 inch for a 2.26 litre capacity, producing an increased 56kW (75bhp). Compression ratio was boosted to 7.25:1. However, due to the car’s longer and heavier characteristics, performance remained relatively unchanged. The FB Holden also incorporated a number of minor changes including improved brakes, suspension and a new ventilation system with fully drained plenum chamber.

The arrival of the FB came at a time when General Motors-Holden was in the strongest sales position it had ever enjoyed.

The halcyon days continued with the new model accounting for just under 50 per cent of the new car market.

Holden was still Australia’s favoured car in which to drive to the beach, kids in the back, windows down, cricket on the radio; an essential element of the Australian cultural landscape.

Particularly successful was the FB wagon variant, called the Station Sedan.
In an era of growing middle-class suburban affluence, the wagon was seen not just as a workhorse but as a fashionable purchase; its blend of sedan-like accommodation and van-like carrying ability appealing to many families. This utilitarian popularity saw FB Station Sedans account for 34 per cent of Holden sales and led to the introduction of wagon models by almost every competitor.

Featuring the same rear doors as its Standard sedan sibling, the Station sedan was endowed with similarly curvaceous lines and a rakishly sloping roofline that continued into the rear cargo area.

The uniquely appointed Special sedan and Special Station sedan joined the utility and panel van commercials to complete the FB model line-up.

During its 16-month production run, the FB continued to hold the measure of the market with total domestic sales of over 160,000. The model was also significant in GMH’s ever-expanding export market, with over 12,800 FBs destined for 25 overseas territories, including the first ever left-hand-drive Holdens bound for Hawaii.

FB FACT FILE
Base price at introduction
$2214/£1107

Total number built
174,747

Models
Standard sedan, Special sedan, Standard station sedan,
Special station sedan, panel van and utility

Engines: 2.26 litre six-cylinder

Power Output: 56kW (75bhp)

Transmission: Three-speed manual

Dimensions (sedan)
Length - 4617mm
Width - 1703mm
Wheelbase - 2667mm
Weight:1121kg (Standard sedan)

ALSO IN 1960:
Holden sales top 12,000 per month and the 750,000^th Holden is built.
Holden’s Elizabeth, South Australia, hardware plant opens.