The FJ Holden
New Revised Edition
Don Loffler
Wakefield Press 2010
When Don Loffler wrote “The FJ Holden” in 2002 he can’t have
realised what he had started. His book became the definitive work on this
Australian icon, but since then he has been flooded with more photos and
information. This revised and updated edition became a necessity. As Don says
in his foreword, “The fact that I have now written over 150,000 words and
published more than 1500 photographs solely on the “FX” and FJ models
illustrates how deeply these iconic Holdens are
embedded in the Australian psyche”.
Don’s lavish but careful selection of photos and advertising
highlights why this is so. It was a measure of Australia’s progress that we
could now produce our own car and that it was at least partly designed for our
atrocious road conditions. The range of options and colours ensured that your
new FJ Holden could be made distinctively yours.
We looked at two of Don’s books on the early Holdens
in last year’s Christmas edition of Synergy. In this revised edition the amount
of detail has been increased, as has the anecdotes of FJ owners. The book as it
is now is packed with information that will make it invaluable for restorers
and collectors. The details that Don has collected from the
GM-H archives comprehensively lists the variations, options, paint schemes and
other facts that collectors need to accurately describe their models.
Many restorers have provided information on the FJ’s problem areas and ways to
fix them.
Unlike many purist collectors.
Don does not ignore the models that have been privately customised as hot rods,
stretch limousines or other variants. The FJ has been around for a long time
and it is only natural that when cheap FJs were plentiful someone would try
their hand at customising one to their own preferences. There is even a short
section on panel van bodies that have been converted to car trailers.
Don points out that he has also received many more photos of
drivers and their FJs, too many to include even in this revised edition.
Accordingly he has not made changes to the photos, only the text. Many of the
new photos were used in his fourth book “Me And My
Holden” which is more of a photographic essay. He intends to use many more in
his new book, scheduled for 2012.
“The FJ Holden” is truly a labour of love. Without dedicated researchers
and enthusiasts like Don Loffler we would not have so much information on these
important pieces of Australia’s history and culture.
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 3 No. 5 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 use the following link: http://www.synergy-magazine.com