Holden FJ

Motor vehicle

Holden FJ
Holden Special sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
Production	October 1953–June 1956
Assembly	Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, Australia
Designer	Alf Payze, Frank Mathwin
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door coupe utility 2-door panel van
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	2.2 L (132.5 cu in) Grey I6
Transmission	3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,620 mm (103 in)^[1]
Length	4,401 mm (173.3 in)^[2]
Width	1,702 mm (67.0 in)^[2]
Height	1,581 mm (62.2 in)^[2]
Curb weight	2,250 lb (1,021 kg)^[2]
Chronology
Predecessor	Holden 48-215 & 50-2106
Successor	Holden FE

The Holden FJ series is a range of motor vehicles which was produced in Australia by Holden from 1953 until 1956. The FJ was the second model of an "all Australian car" manufactured by Holden and was based upon the established 48-215 series, commonly referred to as the "FX".

Overview

The FJ, of monocoque construction, broadly followed the silhouette of its predecessor, but featured a bolder horizontal styled front grille, along with comfort and decoration upgrades in a new sedan model named the 'Holden Special'. Originally specified as 60 bhp (45 kW) achieved at 3,800 rpm,^[2] the claimed maximum power output from the six-cylinder engine was increased to 65 bhp (48 kW) achieved at 4,000 rpm.

The sedan, in Standard, Business and Special trim levels,^[3] and a coupe utility were announced in October 1953 and were followed by a panel van derivative in December of that year.^[4] A wagon prototype was built but the bodystyle was not put into production.^[5] In 1954, Holden's first exports began with sales of the FJ in New Zealand.^[6]

In 1955 the car underwent a mild interior facelift for the Holden Special sedan, along with a variation in paint and trim options. The FJ series was progressively replaced by models from the Holden FE series from July 1956 to May 1957^[7] with a total of 169,969 examples produced.^[8]

Holden Standard sedan
Holden Standard sedan
Holden Special Sedan
Holden coupe utility
Holden coupe utility
Holden panel van
Holden panel van

Legacy

There are nearly 20 specific FX-FJ Holden Car Clubs of Australia with members committed to preserving them. These clubs organise a national gathering for FX-FJ Holden enthusiasts every second year.

Efijy concept car

The Holden Efijy concept car, which debuted in 2005 at the Australian International Motor Show, paid tribute to the design of the original 1953 Holden FJ.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Holden FJ.

^ Gloor, Roger (2007). Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 - 1960 (1st ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Holden FJ Technical Specifications". Unique Cars and Parts. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
^ Davis, Tony; Kennedy, Alistair; Kennedy, Ewan (February 2007). "The Holden Heritage - 13th Edition (Part One)" (PDF). GM Holden. pp. 40–41. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 September 2007.
^ Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, page 225.
^ Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 67
^ Tuckey, Bill (1999). Commodore Lion King: Celebrating 21 Years. Middle Park, Victoria: Quill Visual Communication. p. 120. ISBN 0-646-38231-4. OCLC 222534995.
^ Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, page 228.
^ Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 67.