Holden FJ
{{About|the automobile|the film|The FJ Holden}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Holden FJ
| image = 1953-56 FJ Special Sedan Skipper Blue-.JPG
| caption = Holden Special sedan
| manufacturer = Holden (General Motors)
| production = October 1953–June 1956
| assembly = Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, Australia
| class = Mid-size
| body_style = 4-door sedan
2-door coupe utility
2-door panel van
| layout = Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
| engine = {{convert|132.5|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|disp=flip}} Grey I6
| transmission = 3-speed manual
| wheelbase = {{convert|2620|mm|in||abbr=on}}{{cite book |last=Gloor |first=Roger |year=2007 |title=Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 - 1960 |edition=1st |location=Stuttgart |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |isbn=978-3-613-02808-1}}
| length = {{convert|4401|mm|in||abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/holden_FJ_technical_specifications.htm |title=Holden FJ Technical Specifications |publisher=Unique Cars and Parts |access-date=2009-11-30}}
| width = {{convert|1702|mm|in||abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1581|mm|in||abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|2250|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| predecessor = Holden 48-215 & 50-2106
| successor = Holden FE
| designer = Alf Payze, Frank Mathwin
}}
The Holden FJ series is a range of motor vehicles which was produced in Australia by Holden from 1953 until 1956. The FJ was the second model of an "all Australian car" manufactured by Holden and was based upon the established 48-215 series, commonly referred to as the "FX".
Overview
The FJ, of monocoque construction, broadly followed the silhouette of its predecessor, but featured a bolder horizontal styled front grille, along with comfort and decoration upgrades in a new sedan model named the 'Holden Special'. Originally specified as {{convert|60|bhp|0|abbr=on}} achieved at 3,800 rpm, the claimed maximum power output from the six-cylinder engine was increased to {{convert|65|bhp|0|abbr=on}} achieved at 4,000 rpm.
The sedan, in Standard, Business and Special trim levels,{{cite web|last=Davis |first=Tony |author2=Kennedy, Alistair |author3=Kennedy, Ewan |date=February 2007 |url=http://media.gmcanada.com:8221/aus/holden/en/company/history/HH13Part1.pdf |format=PDF |title=The Holden Heritage - 13th Edition (Part One) |publisher=GM Holden |pages=40–41 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926214934/http://media.gmcanada.com:8221/aus/holden/en/company/history/HH13Part1.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} and a coupe utility were announced in October 1953 and were followed by a panel van derivative in December of that year.Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, page 225. A wagon prototype was built but the bodystyle was not put into production.Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 67 In 1954, Holden's first exports began with sales of the FJ in New Zealand.{{cite book |last=Tuckey |first=Bill |year=1999 |title=Commodore Lion King: Celebrating 21 Years |publisher=Quill Visual Communication |location=Middle Park, Victoria |pages=120 |isbn=0-646-38231-4 |oclc=222534995}}
In 1955 the car underwent a mild interior facelift for the Holden Special sedan, along with a variation in paint and trim options. The FJ series was progressively replaced by models from the Holden FE series from July 1956 to May 1957Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, page 228. with a total of 169,969 examples produced.Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 67.
File:1953-56 FJ Standard Sedan Cygnet Blue==.JPG|Holden Standard sedan
File:1953-56 FJ Standard rear Birch Grey-.JPG|Holden Standard sedan
File:1953-56 FJ Special rear.JPG|Holden Special Sedan
File:1953-57 FJ Ute Glenn Green==.JPG|Holden coupe utility
File:Holden FJ Ute 02.jpg|Holden coupe utility
File:1953-57 FJ Panel Van==.JPG|Holden panel van
File:1956 Holden FJ panel van (6101982135).jpg|Holden panel van
Legacy
There are nearly 20 specific FX-FJ Holden Car Clubs of Australia with members committed to preserving them. These clubs organise a national gathering for FX-FJ Holden enthusiasts every second year.
= Efijy concept car =
File:2005 Holden Efigy Concept Car (37061851124).jpg concept car]]
The Holden Efijy concept car, which debuted in 2005 at the Australian International Motor Show, paid tribute to the design of the original 1953 Holden FJ.
References
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.fxfjholden.com www.fxfjholden.com - The best place on the net for FX and FJ Holden's]
- [http://www.nma.gov.au/collections/fj_holden/ FJ Holden at the National Museum of Australia]
- [http://www.holden.itgo.com/fj.html FJ Holden with pics and stats]
{{Holden timeline}}
Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles