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Holden 48/215 FX
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1948 - 1953 |
Country: |
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Engine: |
6 cyl. |
Capacity: |
2160 cc |
Power: |
60 bhp |
Transmission: |
3 spd. man |
Top Speed: |
n/a |
Number Built: |
120,402 |
Collectability: |
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Prime Minister Ben Chifley launched the car 'made
in Australia, for Australia' in 1948, and nobody guessed
what a runaway success this plain and practical sedan
would immediately prove to be.
Australians took the
Holden straight to their hearts, commencing a love affair
that continues to this day. Demand outstripped supply
and the waiting list stretched through 1949 and beyond.
Although its official model code is 48-215, the first
Holden is widely known as the FX.
Plans for its development moved into gear in 1944, when
the Federal Government asked manufacturers to submit
proposals for the production of an Australian car; a
move aimed at accelerating post-war industrial growth.
General Motors-Holden's (GMH) - its technical and manufacturing
expertise advanced through wartime mobilisation - accepted
and completed the challenge of building the nation's
first successfully mass-produced car.
Adapted from a US design, the first Holden was nevertheless
a uniquely Australian car, however it was far from luxurious.
There were no chrome mouldings, no heater, a single
driver only sunvisor, the windows were of a "flipper"
design, and to obtain ventilation you needed to use
the adjustable air scoop that was situated between the
bonnet and windscreen. (In fact it would be many years
for today's basic features to be introduced - as can
be seen by viewing the EH Holden Nasco Accessory brochure
in the PDF Gallery section of this web site).
At a time when safety was not an issue, no doubt due
to the lack of cars on the road, the 48/215 had a single
tail-light and lacked turn indicators. The interior
was trimmed in either leather or wollen body cloth,
while a PVC material was introduced in mid 1951.
Options
of the day included an 'Air Chief 5' radio, a rear venetian
blind, lefthand side sun-visor, a locking petrol cap
and a heavy duty oil bath air-cleaner. The exterior
body color range was limited to four: Convoy Grey,
Seine Blue, Gawler Cream and Black.
The lack of refinement in the first all Australian car
had absolutely no effect on sales. In fact, Holden were
forced to publish a booklet of testimonials entitled
"Holden Owners Give Reasons Why Holden is Worth
Waiting For", while in the background they worked
furiously to lift production rates (which rose from
an initial 10 units a day to 100 per day in 1951, when
the first Coupe Utility was launched).
During the model life of the FX, many small improvements
were made such as a change from lever-type shock absorbers
to a modern telescopic variety with wider rear springs
(dubbed 'Air-ride'). The very first Holden ute was released
in 1951and in 1953 the fleet and taxi orientated "Business"
sedan was introduced - all at a time when production
had been increased to an incredible 200 per day!
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