Holden Standard

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Holden Standard / Special
Production period: 1948-1968
Class : Middle class
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon , panel van , pickup
Successor: Holden Belmont
Holden Kingswood

The Holden Standard was a mid- size passenger car that was built by Holden in Australia as the brand's first complete car between model years 1948 and 1968 . From 1954, the Holden Special was added as a better equipped version .

Construction and prototypes

Before World War II, Holden (GMH) built bodies for chassis imported from the USA for GM , Ford and Chrysler . After the takeover by GM, however, the parent company supplied most of the chassis. After the monocoque designs became more and more common at the end of the 1930s , in which the chassis and body could no longer be separated easily, Holden worried about losing market share to the importers of complete vehicles in the future. An attempt to import the Olympia from sister company Opel failed due to the presumably too small size of the vehicle for Australian needs and the political uncertainties in Hitler's Germany.

From 1940 onwards, attempts were made to convince the leading figures at the company's headquarters in Detroit , above all Alfred P. Sloan , of the need for a car that was specially tailored to Australian conditions and that was also to be built in Australia. Larry Hartnett , GMH's head of the "Australian subsidiary" GMH, was particularly committed to this and also provided his own designs, which, however, did not meet with approval in Detroit. The car was supposed to be smaller, cheaper and more economical than the American models, which were getting bigger and stronger with every model change, but bigger than the European mid-range cars. In addition, it should have a higher ground clearance in order not to cause too many problems on the poor Australian roads. The ideal was a car in the style of the Opel Kapitän , but not as a luxuriously equipped upper-class vehicle, which it was in Germany, but as an affordable bread-and-butter car for everyone.

In the GM halls in Detroit there were still two prototypes that the corporate management had built before the war in order to sell them as “small cars” under a new brand name below the Chevrolet models in the USA. This attempt was soon abandoned; as a precaution, however, the prototypes were not scrapped and were now available for inquiries from Australia. 195-Y-13 had a four-cylinder in-line engine, its sister model 195-Y-15 was equipped with a six-cylinder in-line engine. In the end, the six-cylinder engine was chosen because the four-cylinder was weaker and louder, but would not have significantly reduced production costs. The design in Detroit developed this car further to the 195Y25. which was finally presented on November 29, 1948 in Melbourne by the Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley as the Model 48-215 .

Year by year

FX Holden and FJ Standard / Special (1948–1956)

FX 48-215 (1948–1953)
FX 50-2106 (1951–1953)
FX 48-217 (1953)
FJ Standard (1953–1956)
FJ Special (1954–1956)
Holden FJ (1953-1956)

Holden FJ (1953-1956)

Production period: 1948-1956
Body versions : Limousine , panel van , pickup
Engines: Otto engine :
2.2 liters (44 kW)
Length: 4369-4407 mm
Width: 1702 mm
Height: 1575 mm
Wheelbase : 2616 mm
Empty weight : 1010-1033 kg
Holden 48-215 (1948)
Holden 50-2106 (1951-1953)

The new Holden went into production in November 1948 only as a 4-door sedan and was given the model number 48-215 . But it was simply sold as "Holden". A six-cylinder in-line engine with 2,171 cm 3 , developing 60 bhp (44 kW), drove it. The engine power was transmitted to the rear, leaf-sprung rigid axle via a single-disc dry clutch and a partially synchronized three-speed gearbox with a steering wheel shift. The front wheels were individually suspended on double wishbones of unequal length with coil springs. The drum brakes on all wheels were operated hydraulically. The body and chassis were connected to form a monocoque and were reminiscent of the great Morris vehicles of that time, e.g. B. the Oxford MO . The windows - including the split windshield - were flat. There were only four exterior colors to choose from. Gray (Convoy Gray), light blue (Seine Blue), beige (Gawler Cream) and black.

In January 1951 a utility appeared with the same technical equipment under the model number 50-2106, i.e. an open pick-up with two seats, in July 1953 a business sedan 48-217 was added as a third model . This was essentially a reinforced 48-215 sedan with a stronger battery, stiffer springs, leather interior, and rubber floor mats. This type was mainly used as a taxi or fleet vehicle.

These three types were later (unofficially) combined under the name FX Holden .

In September 1953, the plant had the car a facelift bestowed with the length to 1 ½ "grew and the grille received a wide chrome bar with ten chrome teeth. The new model series was now officially called Holden FJ Standard and consisted of the well-known three models. In December 1953, a 3-door delivery van ("Panel Van") was added. In January 1954 a Holden FJ Special was added, which was only manufactured as a 4-door sedan with better equipment.

model designation Vehicle type Construction period
48-215 Sedan Sedan 4 doors 11 / 1948-08 / 1953
50-2106 Utility Pick Up 2 doors 01 / 1951-08 / 1953
48-217 Business sedan Sedan 4 doors 07 / 1953-08 / 1953
FJ-215 Standard sedan Sedan 4 doors 09 / 1953-06 / 1956
FJ-217 Business sedan Sedan 4 doors 09 / 1953-06 / 1956
FJ-2106 Utility Pickup 2 doors 09 / 1953–01 / 1957
FJ-2104 Panel Van Delivery truck 3 doors 12 / 1953-04 / 1957
FJ-225 Special Sedan Sedan 4 doors 01 / 1954-06 / 1956

A total of 169,969 copies were made by the Holden FJ; of both series together there were over 250,000 by June 1956.

FE / FC Standard / Special (1956–1959)

FE Standard / Special (1956–1958)
FC Standard / Special (1958–1959)
Holden FC Utility (1958-1960)

Holden FC Utility (1958-1960)

Production period: 1956-1960
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon , panel van , pickup
Engines: Otto engine :
2.2 liters (51 kW)
Length: 4470 mm
Width: 1702 mm
Height: 1549 mm
Wheelbase : 2667 mm
Empty weight : 1065-1076 kg
Holden FE (1956)
Holden FE Utility (1956)

In July 1956 a completely new Holden was presented under the name FE Standard / FE Special . The wheelbase had grown by 2 "and the bodies had the modern pontoon shape. The grille consisted of a rectangular chrome grille. The engine output had grown to 70 bhp (51 kW). In March 1957, a new 5-door station wagon - standard and special - was added.

As early as May 1958, there was another facelift to the FC Standard / FC Special , which essentially included a larger radiator grille, flashing lights all around (instead of the previously common indicators) and small tail fins .

model designation Vehicle type Construction period
FE-215 Standard sedan Sedan 4 doors 07 / 1956-04 / 1958
FE-217 Business sedan Sedan 4 doors 07 / 1956-04 / 1958
FE-225 Special Sedan Sedan 4 doors 07 / 1956-04 / 1958
FE-2106 Utility Pick Up 2 doors 02 / 1957-04 / 1958
FE-219 Standard Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 03 / 1957-04 / 1958
FE-229 Special Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 03 / 1957-04 / 1958
FE-2104 Panel Van Delivery truck 3 doors 05 / 1957-04 / 1958
FC-215 Standard sedan Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1958-12 / 1959
FC-217 Business sedan Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1958-12 / 1959
FC-225 Special Sedan Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1958-12 / 1959
FC-219 Standard Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 04 / 1958-12 / 1959
FC-229 Special Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 04 / 1958-12 / 1959
FC-2104 Panel Van Delivery truck 3 doors 04 / 1958-12 / 1959
FC-2106 Utility Pick Up 2 doors 04 / 1958-12 / 1959

By December 1959, 155,161 FE and 191,724 FC were made.

FB / EK Standard / Special (1960–1962)

FB Standard / Special (1960–1961)
EK Standard / Special (1961–1962)
Holden EK Standard (1961–1962)

Holden EK Standard (1961–1962)

Production period: 1960–1962
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon , panel van , pickup
Engines: Otto engine :
2.3 liters (55 kW)
Length: 4470 mm
Width: 1702 mm
Height: 1524-1638 mm
Wheelbase : 2667 mm
Empty weight : 1119-1215 kg
Holden FB station wagon (1960–1961)
Holden FB Special (1960)

Another fundamental revision was due in January 1960. While the floor pan remained the same, new bodies were added for the FB Standard / FB Special , which, inspired by the Chevrolet models of the late 1950s, had panoramic windows , huge tail fins and barges on the headlights. Inside there was a new dashboard and a bowl-shaped steering wheel. The engine was to 2,261 cm 3 drilled and delivered 75 hp (55 kW).

The usual facelift took place in May 1961. The EK Standard / EK Special only had a different radiator grille as an external identifier. The technical highlight was the two-stage automatic Hydramatic , which Holden took over from the parent company in Detroit.

model designation Vehicle type Construction period
FB-215 Standard sedan Sedan 4 doors 01 / 1960-04 / 1961
FB-225 Special Sedan Sedan 4 doors 01 / 1960-04 / 1961
FB-219 Standard Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 01 / 1960-04 / 1961
FB-229 Special Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 01 / 1960-04 / 1961
FB-2104 Panel Van Delivery truck 3 doors 01 / 1960-04 / 1961
FB-2106 Utility Pick Up 2 doors 01 / 1960-04 / 1961
EK-215 Standard sedan Sedan 4 doors 05 / 1961-06 / 1962
EK-225 Special Sedan Sedan 4 doors 05 / 1961-06 / 1962
EK-219 Standard Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 05 / 1961-06 / 1962
EK-229 Special Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 05 / 1961-06 / 1962
EK-2104 Panel Van Delivery truck 3 doors 05 / 1961-12 / 1962
EK-2106 Utility Pick Up 2 doors 05 / 1961-12 / 1962

The FB model series was built 174,747 times; By the end of 1962, the EK had produced a total of 150,214 copies.

EJ / EH Standard / Special (1962–1965)

EJ Standard / Special (1962–1963)
EH Standard / Special (1963–1965)
Holden EH Special (1964)

Holden EH Special (1964)

Production period: 1962-1965
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon , panel van , pickup
Engines: Petrol engines :
2.3–2.9 liters
(55–85 kW)
Length: 4496-4521 mm
Width: 1727 mm
Height: 1473-1676 mm
Wheelbase : 2667 mm
Empty weight : 1131-1241 kg
Holden EJ Standard (1962)
Holden EJ Utility (1962-1963)

In the sober style of the 1960s, the EJ Standard / EJ Special was presented in July 1962. The tail fins were gone again; only the small, round rear lights of the EK remained. At the front, the new EJ had a radiator grille across the entire width of the vehicle, into which the headlights were inserted at the edge. The wheelbase and drive were adopted from the predecessor, as was the model range. The windshield wipers working against each other gave way to parallel working specimens. The hydraulic brakes have been converted to a two-circuit system. In addition to the Standard and the Special, the sedan was now also available as a top-of-the-range Premier model .

The revision to the EH Standard / EH Special due in August 1963 gave the cars elongated taillights and new engines. Three drive units were now available: two drilled out versions of the previous model with a displacement of 2,442 cm 3 and outputs of 95 bhp (70 kW) with low compression (7.7: 1) and 100 bhp (74 kW) with high compression (8.8 : 1) and a new six-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 2,933 cm 3 and an output of 115 bhp (85 kW) at high compression. Another premier model was also new, the 5-door station wagon.

model designation Vehicle type Construction period
EJ-215 Standard sedan Sedan 4 doors 07 / 1962-07 / 1963
EJ-225 Special Sedan Sedan 4 doors 07 / 1962-07 / 1963
EJ-219 Standard Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 07 / 1962-07 / 1963
EJ-229 Special Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 07 / 1962-07 / 1963
EJ-2104 Panel Van Delivery truck 3 doors 01 / 1963-07 / 1963
EJ-2106 Utility Pick Up 2 doors 01 / 1963-07 / 1963
EH-215 Standard sedan Sedan 4 doors 08 / 1963–01 / 1965
EH-225 Special Sedan Sedan 4 doors 08 / 1963–01 / 1965
EH-219 Standard Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 08 / 1963–01 / 1965
EH-229 Special Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 08 / 1963–01 / 1965
EH-2104 Panel Van Delivery truck 3 doors 08 / 1963-06 / 1965
EH-2106 Utility Pick Up 2 doors 08 / 1963-06 / 1965

The EJ was manufactured 154,811 times, the EH exactly 256,959 times by June 1965 (all figures including Premier models).

HD / HR Standard / Special (1965–1968)

HD Standard / Special (1965–1966)
HR Standard / Special (1966–1968)
Holden HR Special (1966-1968)

Holden HR Special (1966-1968)

Production period: 1965-1968
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon , panel van , pickup
Engines:
Petrol engines : 2.45-3.05 liters
(70-107 kW)
Length: 4572-4597 mm
Width: 1778 mm
Height: 1486-1715 mm
Wheelbase : 2692 mm
Empty weight : 1178-1340 kg
Holden HD Premier X2 (1965)
Holden HR Special (1966-1968)

The Holden HD Standard / HD Special , introduced in February 1965, looked not that dissimilar to its predecessor, but had become larger and wider. Now he resembled his cousin from Germany, the Opel Rekord A . Finally it really (and not only on paper - like its predecessors) had six seats to offer. Its wheelbase had increased by 1 ″. The engines of the predecessor were taken over; for the larger there was also a high-performance variant X2 with 140 bhp (103 kW).

The HR Standard / HR Special got square chrome frame for the headlights and other bumpers and taillights compared to its predecessor. The most noticeable change, however, were the new engines, all of which were larger and more powerful than their predecessors. The 2.45 l V6 became an engine with a displacement of 2,638 cm 3 and 108 bhp (79 kW) with a compression of 8.2: 1 or 114 bhp (84 kW) with a compression of 9.2: 1. The 9 l V6 was replaced by a unit with a displacement of 3,048 cm 3 , which with a compression ratio of 9.2: 1 also produces an output of 126 bhp (93 kW) or (as X2 or S model) 145 bhp (107 kW ) submitted. In addition to the standard 3-speed gearbox, there was a manual 4-speed gearbox from Opel or the 2-stage Powerglide automatic.

model designation Vehicle type Construction period
HD-215 Standard sedan Sedan 4 doors 02 / 1965-03 / 1966
HD-225 Special Sedan Sedan 4 doors 02 / 1965-03 / 1966
HD-219 Standard Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 02 / 1965-03 / 1966
HD-229 Special Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 02 / 1965-03 / 1966
HD-2104 Panel Van Delivery truck 3 doors 07 / 1965-03 / 1966
HD-2106 Utility Pick Up 2 doors 07 / 1965-03 / 1966
HR-215 Standard sedan Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1966-12 / 1967
HR-225 Special Sedan Sedan 4 doors 04 / 1966-12 / 1967
HR-219 Standard Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 04 / 1966-12 / 1967
HR-229 Special Station Wagon Station wagon 5 doors 04 / 1966-12 / 1967
HR-2104 Panel Van Delivery truck 3 doors 04 / 1966-02 / 1968
HR-2106 Utility Pick Up 2 doors 04 / 1966-02 / 1968

178,927 copies of the HD were made. When the popular HR was replaced by the new models Belmont (as the successor to the Standard) and Kingswood (as the successor to the Special) in January 1968 , 252,352 units had been produced (all figures including Premier models).

Web links

Commons : Holden Standard  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Commons : Holden Special  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Commons : Holden Ute  - collection of images, videos and audio files

source

  • John M. Wright: Special - The untold story of Australia's Holden. Allen & Unwin, Crow's Nest NSW 2008, ISBN 978-1-74175-172-7 .
  • Terry Bebbington, Michel A. Malik: 45 Years of Holden. Australian Publishing and Printing Company, Sydney NSW 1994, ISBN 0-947216-31-6 .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ John M. Wright: Special - The untold story of Australia's Holden. Chapter 3: General Motors and the Third Reich 1934-45
  2. ^ John M. Wright: Special - The untold story of Australia's Holden , Chapter 5: Chief Engineers are not very good correspondants
  3. ^ John M. Wright: Special - The untold story of Australia's Holden. Chapter 6: From Milford to Melbourne