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HOLDEN HISTORY
June 27th 2003

Happy Golden Anniversary, FJ

Golden Holden Oldie Turns 50 This Year
BORN in 1953 and long ago elevated to cult status, the famous FJ Holden celebrates its golden anniversary later this year.

Enthusiast owners across Australia will be driving out in force to mark the FJ's big five-oh and pay homage to the car that is perhaps the most fondly regarded of all early Holden models.

For thousands of baby boomers, the big, bold familiar FJ front grille is emblematic of a less complicated era, when the fifties stood for rock 'n roll and not their age group. For others, the FJ is happily remembered as the first car the family ever owned - or the one, as sociologists have noted, that some could well have been conceived in.

Powerful, rugged and great value for money, the FJ was essentially a face-lifted version of the first-ever Holden, the 48-215, popularly called the FX. Known as the 'New Look' Holden, the second series of  “Australia's Own Car” sold in unprecedented numbers and offered an equally unprecedented degree of mobility, freedom and privacy.

In tune with the times, which saw post-war austerity overtaken by the growth of the consumer society, the FJ ushered in the first deluxe Holden, the Special. It sported more bright metal body decoration, including tiny tail fins with built-in reflectors, and offered extras such as leather trim, armrests, cigarette lighter, rear passenger assist straps, chrome window winders and gee whiz two-tone colour combinations. "From every angle," read the sales brochure, "Holden Special is a graceful beauty."

The more spartan Standard model was praised for its six-passenger roominess, family-sized luggage compartment and PVC upholstery, while the FJ Business sedan was aimed at the commercial market and 'specially equipped to meet the particular needs of business and country users whose vehicles are engaged in heavy work or are located in arduous country.' Both of these models were cheaper than their 48-215 predecessors.

A utility was also offered, and the first Holden panel van made its debut two months after the FJ's October 1953 launch. Utility-based, with an extended roof and an extra upper tailgate, the panel van found ready acceptance in a booming market. This saw the new Holdens snapped up at record rates, entrenching GM-H in the number one sales position.

By 1954, FJ Holdens were being produced at assembly plants nationwide at the rate of 250 per day and export shipments to New Zealand had commenced.

FJ sedans remained in production from October 1953 to June 1956, when they were superseded by the totally new FE series. FJ utilities and panel vans remained in production until early 1957, when production of their FE counterparts began.

FJ HOLDEN FACTS:
Base price at introduction: $2046/£1023
Total number built: 169,969 (almost 50,000 more than 48-215 model)
Models: Standard sedan, Business Sedan, Special Sedan, Panel Van and Utility
Engine: 2.15 litre/132.5 cu. in OHV six-cylinder
Power Output: 45kW/60bhp @3800rpm
Transmission: Three-speed manual gearbox, synchromesh on 2nd and 3rd. Column mounted shift lever
Dimensions (basic sedan): Length 4408mm; Wheelbase 2616mm; Width 1702mm
Fuel tank: 43 litres/9.5 gallons

FJ HOLDEN 50TH ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES

New South Wales
NSW All Holden Day, at Hawkesbury Showgrounds, Racecourse Road, Clarendon (opposite RAAF base Richmond) - Sunday 3 August. 500 Holdens - including 50 FJs - on display.

South Australia
FJ 50th Anniversary Celebration to be held at the National Motor Museum, Birdwood, on Sunday 5 October. Includes a run from the former GM-H plant at Woodville in Adelaide, cutting of FJ-shaped birthday cake, presentation and book signing by Don Loffler, author of "The FJ Holden" and an FJ Trail in the Holden Pavilion of Australian Motoring.

Victoria
FX-FJ Holden Club of Australia Melbourne chapter vehicle display and 26th annual State Titles at Werribee Park Mansion on Sunday 26 October, 9am - 5pm.

ACT
FJ anniversary Celebration at the National Museum, Canberra, on Saturday 18 October. Includes a big vehicle display open to all FJ Holden owners; an exhibition of Holden memorabilia; an FJ photo exhibition provided by the National Museum, National Archive and National Library; screenings of FJ-related videos and newsreel tapes; presentation by 'FJ Holden' author Don Loffler.

Western Australia
FJ Holden Utility exhibition at the Fremantle Motor Museum - 29 June to end of July. Highlights the role of the Holden ute in the development of WA industries; oldest FJ in WA included in vehicle display.