Holden FJ
Encyclopedia
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”. The sedan, in Standard, Business and Special
trim levels, and a coupe utility were announced in October 1953 and were followed by a Panel van
derivative in December of that year. A wagon
prototype was built but the bodystyle was not put into production. In 1954, Holden's first exports began with sales of the FJ in New Zealand
.
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 achieved at 3,800 rpm, the claimed maximum power output from the six cylinder engine was increased to 65 bhp achieved at 4,000 rpm.
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 with a total of 169,969 examples produced.
There are nearly 20 specific FX-FJ Holden Car Clubs of Australia with members committed to preserving these iconic Holdens. These clubs organise a national gathering for FX-FJ Holden enthusiasts every second year.
.
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...
by General Motors-Holden’s
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...
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
Holden 48-215
The Holden 48-215, also known unofficially as the Holden FX is a mid-size, six-cylinder sedan which was produced by the Australian automaker, General Motors–Holden's Ltd between November 1948 and October 1953....
series, commonly referred to as the “FX”. The sedan, in Standard, Business and Special
Holden Special
The Holden Special is a mid-size car that was manufactured by General Motors-Holden's, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors . Introduced as the top-level trim in the new Holden FJ range of 1953, the Special was complemented by the entry-level Holden Standard and the mid-range Holden Business...
trim levels, and a coupe utility were announced in October 1953 and were followed by a Panel van
Panel van
A panel van is a form of solid van, smaller than a lorry or truck, without rear side windows...
derivative in December of that year. A wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
prototype was built but the bodystyle was not put into production. In 1954, Holden's first exports began with sales of the FJ in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
The FJ, of monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
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 achieved at 3,800 rpm, the claimed maximum power output from the six cylinder engine was increased to 65 bhp achieved at 4,000 rpm.
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
Holden FE
The Holden FE is an automobile which was produced by General Motors–Holden's in Australia from 1956 to 1958.-Changes:The FE models were built on a longer wheelbase than the FJ series Holdens which they replaced and they featured totally different styling, the FJ models having used a body shape...
from July 1956 to May 1957 with a total of 169,969 examples produced.
There are nearly 20 specific FX-FJ Holden Car Clubs of Australia with members committed to preserving these iconic Holdens. These clubs organise a national gathering for FX-FJ Holden enthusiasts every second year.
Efijy concept car
Holden paid homage to the FJ with a 21st century version of the iconic car, the EfijyHolden Efijy
The Holden Efijy is a concept car created in Australia by Holden. It is based around the iconic Holden FJ, the second model built by Holden. The concept is based on the Chevrolet Corvette floor pan, a 6.0 litre V8 engine with Rootes supercharger putting out at a little shy of 6500 r.p.m...
.