The F.J. Holden

Don Loffler

Wakefield Press

Reviewer: Bob Estreich

Don Loffler has done it again. Recently we looked at “Me And My Holden”, a tribute to the legendary FX (48-215) Holden car that finally gave us transport that survived our atrocious roads in the post WW2 period. Now he gives us the next model in the Holden range, the FJ.

The FX was a popular car. It was solid, roomy, powerful for its day and inexpensive. It was cheaper and more reliable than the British and American cars that were being imported into our market, and for many years it satisfied the Australian motorist’s needs. The FX was not without its problems, though, and it became obvious to the General Motors-Holdens executives that an upgrade was in order. They kept the body and that almost unbreakable engine but worked on the interior, trim and handling in an open-ended development intended to fix the FX problems and bring the car more up to date. They also explored different production models aimed at specific purposes like the panel van and taxi. The Ute (Utility Vehicle) remained in production since it had proved so popular in the FX range. It went on to comprise nearly a quarter of FJ vehicles as well.

The most noticeable feature was a new radiator grille that prospective buyers either liked or hated. Instead of the vertical-barred grille of the FX, the new one was described as “heavy...with buck teeth”. In time, however, the FJ became just as accepted as its predecessor.

In July 1954 the Redex Around Australia Trial gave the new Holden a chance to show what it could do. Half the cars did not finish but Holden achieved a lower dropout rate than many other brands. The trial did highlight a number of areas that needed improvement, like handling on dirt roads, the dreadful 6 volt electrical system, and the low driving position for anyone under six feet tall.

The FJ was also the first Australian car to be exported to New Zealand and Don devotes a chapter to that country’s motoring problems. He gives us some anecdotes from Kiwis that suggest that the FJ was just as popular there as in Australia.

The book goes onto describe the various models within the FJ range and their significant differences. The basic car could be optioned up with a range of accessories including mud flaps, bonnet mascots and more chrome. An important accessory was a steering wheel lock, since the FJ was very easy to break into and start.

Don moves on to the FJs of today. Racing or restoring or modifying, it seems an FJ owner has tried them all at some time. I well remember the “Battle of the FJs” races at my local speedway as these wonderful vehicles were reaching the end of their lives. I don’t think I have ever seen a vehicle that rolled as well as an FJ.

The range of speciality models gets a lot of detail – some of these are incredibly rare and Don has managed not only to track many down but to find their background and history as well. The stories of the owners and how they found their cars is fascinating in itself, as is the difficulty of finding out just what your unusual FJ actually is – a coachbuilder’s special? An owner-modified car? A previously unknown variant produced at the factory in small numbers? Don has had to become a detective to track down these rare vehicles from the unusual numbers on their builders plates.

Through the entire book we get many owners’ stories, plenty of detailed photos and the usual magnificently-reproduced Holden advertising. Don also gives us a detailed chapter on each variant, what the builders plate numbers mean, the changes made to he FJ as it evolved and the colour schemes.

If you ever owned an FJ, if you are restoring one, if you just liked the look of them, then this is a book you must have.

Reviews appear on the Synergy website with a single cover image. In the digital and print edition, reviews appear with multiple images and with expanded content. We recommend you download the free digital edition (or buy the print edition) to get the most from Synergy Magazine.

This review will appear in Volume 2 No.6 (2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

If you came to this page directly (and missed our menu), click here to go to the front page of Synergy Magazine Website or click the following link: http://www.synergy-magazine.com