1956 Holden FJ Utility (modified)

Description

Australia's first commercially successful automobile, the Holden, was launched in November 1948 to great fanfare and featured styling influenced both by prevailing American and European design trends. With relatively advanced monocoque construction and a sturdy, sufficiently powerful OHV six-cylinder engine, the new Holden 48-215 proved ideally suited to the rugged local driving conditions. In September 1953 the Holden underwent a facelift to become the FJ, the new model boasting a toothy new chrome grille, hubcaps and jet-age tail lights. In addition to the basic Sedan and Special Sedan models, Holden released two commercial variants of 'Australia's Own Car' in the form of a utility and panel van, both proving very popular with tradesmen. By the time production of the FJ ceased in 1956, more than 250,000 first generation Holdens had been built and the 'humpy' had written itself into the history books. Celebrated in films, music and popular culture generally, the FJ has become a local icon and with good examples becoming hard to find, original cars are quickly being snapped up by collectors.