Holden 48-215
Encyclopedia
The Holden 48-215, also known unofficially as the Holden FX is a mid-size
, six-cylinder sedan which was produced by the Australia
n automaker
, General Motors–Holden's Ltd
between November 1948 and October 1953.
The design was originally penned in the United States
by Chevrolet
for a 1938 model , but was rejected because it was deemed too small for the U.S. market. Instead the design became the basis of the 48-215 model. Development of the 48-215 began in 1944. Three prototypes were built by hand in 1946 by American and Australian engineers at the General Motors workshop in Detroit. Months of durability and performance testing were undergone in the US before the three prototypes were shipped to Australia. Registered as JP-480, prototype no.1 is the only survivor of the three test sedans which became the definitive model for millions of Holden cars. The sole surviving prototype, Holden Prototype Car No. 1, is part of the National Museum of Australia
collection.
The Holden was released for sale to the public in 1948 at Port Melbourne, Victoria
, by the then Australian Prime Minister, Ben Chifley
. The car was marketed simply as the “Holden”, without a model name. It had a 2171 cc cast-iron straight six engine which produced 60 hp, connected to a three-speed manual transmission. It managed the 0-60 mph sprint in 27.7 seconds. It also had a dust proof body, and a small 37ft turning circle.
The 50-2106 Coupe Utility
, based on the 48-215 sedan, was released in January 1951 and in July 1953 the Holden Business Sedan, essentially a taxi version of the 48-215, was added to the range. The 48-215 & 50-2106 models were replaced by the Holden FJ
in 1953.
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
, six-cylinder sedan which was produced by the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n automaker
Automaker
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
, General Motors–Holden's Ltd
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
between November 1948 and October 1953.
The design was originally penned in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
for a 1938 model , but was rejected because it was deemed too small for the U.S. market. Instead the design became the basis of the 48-215 model. Development of the 48-215 began in 1944. Three prototypes were built by hand in 1946 by American and Australian engineers at the General Motors workshop in Detroit. Months of durability and performance testing were undergone in the US before the three prototypes were shipped to Australia. Registered as JP-480, prototype no.1 is the only survivor of the three test sedans which became the definitive model for millions of Holden cars. The sole surviving prototype, Holden Prototype Car No. 1, is part of the National Museum of Australia
National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia was formally established by the National Museum of Australia Act 1980. The National Museum preserves and interprets Australia's social history, exploring the key issues, people and events that have shaped the nation....
collection.
The Holden was released for sale to the public in 1948 at Port Melbourne, Victoria
Port Melbourne, Victoria
Port Melbourne is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km southwest of Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government areas are the cities of Port Phillip and Melbourne. At the 2006 Census, Port Melbourne had a population of 13,293....
, by the then Australian Prime Minister, Ben Chifley
Ben Chifley
Joseph Benedict Chifley , Australian politician, was the 16th Prime Minister of Australia. He took over the Australian Labor Party leadership and Prime Ministership after the death of John Curtin in 1945, and went on to retain government at the 1946 election, before being defeated at the 1949...
. The car was marketed simply as the “Holden”, without a model name. It had a 2171 cc cast-iron straight six engine which produced 60 hp, connected to a three-speed manual transmission. It managed the 0-60 mph sprint in 27.7 seconds. It also had a dust proof body, and a small 37ft turning circle.
The 50-2106 Coupe Utility
Holden Ute
The Holden Ute is a coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors, since 2000. Before then, Holden had marketed their Commodore-based utility models under the Holden Utility and Holden Commodore utility names, although the term “Holden Ute” was also used in their...
, based on the 48-215 sedan, was released in January 1951 and in July 1953 the Holden Business Sedan, essentially a taxi version of the 48-215, was added to the range. The 48-215 & 50-2106 models were replaced by the Holden FJ
Holden FJ
The Holden FJ series is a range of motor vehicles which was produced in Australia by General Motors-Holden’s from 1953 to 1957. 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”...
in 1953.
External links
- Holden 48-215 sales brochure Retrieved from Unique Cars and Parts on 15 September 2008
- Holden 48-215
- Holden Prototype Car No. 1 at the National Museum of Australia