1955 Holden FJ Standard Sedan

Description

Australia's first commercially successful automobile was launched in November 1948 to great fanfare, the new Holden's styling influenced both by prevailing American and European design trends. With relatively advanced monocoque construction and a sturdy, powerful OHV six-cylinder engine under the bonnet, the new Holden 48-215 proved well suited to the rugged local driving conditions of the day. In September 1953 the Holden underwent a facelift to become the FJ, the new model boasting a toothy new chrome grille, hubcaps and jet-inspired tail lights. Further changes included a larger range of colours, the addition of tubeless tyres in early 1956 and wider choice of models, with the Special Sedan, Business Sedan and Panel Van added to the line-up that already included a Utility. The Special Sedan, coded 225, was a new addition to the range and comprised a number of luxury items such as a cigarette lighter, armrests in the front doors and additional chrome trim around the window frames, door handles and on the rear wings, along with the option of two-tone paintwork. 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.