1952 Holden FX (48-215) Special Sedan

The original Holden has a special place in the history of the Australian motoring, becoming our first volume production car when it was launched on the 29th of November, 1948 and is regarded as the forefather of the current Commodore. With humble origins, the Holden 48-215 (or FX as it has become retrospectively known) was sturdy and dependable, featuring an aerodynamically shaped 'Aerobilt' body made using the relatively advanced unitary construction technique. Powering the Holden was a rugged straight-six displacing a little over two litres, developing around 60bhp and driving through a three-speed column-mounted gearshift. Simplicity was a key feature of the Holden's success, with no unnecessary frills, just plenty of ground clearance and power for covering long distances in comfort. Unsurprising then, that Holden managed to capture the Number One spot in passenger car sales by 1950 and went on to build more than 120,000 before the 48-215 was updated to become the FJ in 1953. The Holden was initially available as a sedan only but General Motors soon expanded the range to include both ute and more utilitarian Business Sedan. Naturally enough, with few decent survivors, the first Holden has become a firm favourite with collectors and are becoming increasingly sought after.