FJ Holden - 5 Years After The First, Not A Lot Changed...

The FJ came along after five years of producing the 48-215 (FX) and was basically the same car with a few minor alterations to the body. Minor alterations?, tell that to the folk of 1953 who were dazzled with the fantastic bright work and creature comforts introduced that year! The rather boring vertical grille was replaced by an elegant finned and detailed version, and the new chrome cone shaped hubcaps looked the part. There were new bright metal body decorations, 5.90 x 15 tyres, new bumpers and wonderful new chrome fins placed on the rear mudguards.

And at last the Holden could be seriously optioned. For example, the 'Special' featured armrests, deluxe leather seat trim, front door courtesy switches, chrome instrument surrounds, black knobs with chrome inserts, dash facia grille extending to the glovebox, rear passenger assist straps, window winders, a cigarette lighter and (for the first time) came in a two-tone finish. The FJ afforded excellent ground clearance, a good ride (the FJ still came with the tried and true 48/215 suspension), a rugged drivetrain, energetic performance, comfortable seating for six, low maintenance, fuel economy and unbeatable value for money. For the time the whole package was well sorted.

The FJ was a marketing success, selling itself incredibly well and beyond the most opportunistic marketing managers estimates - invariably there were waiting lists at every dealer. It was the car everyone wanted to own - which was no doubt a worry for other manufacturers whose sales were sliding in the other direction. Once again demand far outstripped supply and GMH needed to expand again. Raising the profile of the FJ (particularly for its reliability and strength) were people such as "Gelignite Jack" Murray, who raced the FJ around Australia in the Redex and Ampol Trials - as well as in exotic overseas events such as the Monte Carlo rallye.New Zealanders could also join in the love affair we Australians were experiencing, with shipments to the "land of the long white cloud" commencing in 1954.

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