A history of Holden Cars 1948-1984

While looking for information on my old Holden, I realised that data on original equipment and model specifications was hard to find. At the same time, photos documenting original Holden cars on the internet are rare. To this end, I have put together an image library of GM Holden cars from 1948 to the present day. Some pictures copyright GM.

Holden Monaro cars are documented in their own gallery and utility models are in Holden Ute History. For newer models, see Holden Commodore 1978-2013. 

Scroll through to range the history or click an image below to see more details on that particular model. 

48-215 (FX) Holden

The 48-215 (below) is more commonly known as the FX Holden and was the first fully Australian assembled car built for the Australian domestic market. It was very enthusiastically received at that time. 

FJ Holden

The FJ Holden was introduced in 1953 using similar mechanicals but with upgrades to engine power and significantly more chrome up front. The FJ became an iconic Australian car and even though its styling was  outdated compared to contemporary American cars, it was a massive hit in Australia. Many were exported to New Zealand starting with the "Ute" model in 1956. 

FE Holden

The FE Holden took it's styling cues from the wildly popular mid-fifties Chevys downscaled to suit the Australian market.  It was quite a feat at the time to get the '56 FC Holden to look like a '55 Chev! While it was much more modern looking than the FJ that preceded it, the mechanicals were not significantly upgraded other than upgrades to engine power and better (drum) brakes.

FC Holden

The FC Holden updated the previous model by taking further styling cues from the '55 and '56 Chev using more chrome on the side strip and slightly integrating the grill.  

FB Holden

The FB Holden continued with the mid-fifties theme even though it was starting to look a little dated in 1960 it was stil considered a big jump forward in terms of styling, it looked like a miniature '56 Chev. 

EK Holden

The EK Holden was a styling update to the FB and add some additional two-tone paint colours and minor tweaks to the trim. 

EJ Holden

The EJ Holden was a big step forward in style and it brought Holden well-and-truly into the sixties with a design that is considered by many to be one of the best designs Holden ever produced. A lot more than just a styling upgrade, the EJ Holden debuted the up-market Premier models and heralded the availability of a lot of accessories to personalise each model. These accessories are very sought after by collectors today.  

EH Holden

The EH Holden updated the EJ with new sheet and tail lights at the back and a slightly altered grill. New engine combinations would set the scene for many years to come with the release of Holdens new “red” motor in the EH Holden. You had a choice of 149 or 179 “HP” cubic inch variants that had a seven bearing steel crank. These motors were often used to re-power early Holdens as they had up to 50% more power than the early “grey” motors and a lot more than that with a few simple modifications. 

HD Holden

The HD Holden was a controversial styling change that was a bit too adventurous for some at the time and a more successful HR model was to follow soon after.  Critics complained of the narrow track that carried over from the EH Holden even though the body was considerably wider.

HR Holden

The HR Holden was apparently rushed out due to criticism of the previous models "pointy" fin front-end. There were minor changes were to the front panels, subtle changes to the roofline and rear window and additional lights in the grill. 

Importantly the HR got a wider track to address criticism of the handling of the previous model and also saw the debut of the mighty 186cu.in. motor.

HK Holden

The HK Holden followed and introduced another major step forward in styling and engines. Much more American looking and a bigger car by every measure, the HK Holden also introduced the famous Chev-engined Monaro coupe models.  The stripes embedded into the hood sheet metal just begged for hoons to paint in racing stripes.

Strangely the Monaro models used stripes off to one side and it was only later models that emphasised the shape on the bonnet.

HT Holden

Amazingly, by the time the HK Holden was replaced with the HT in 1969, Holden had managed to release a new model almost every two years since they started in 1948! This would end in the early seventies when the "oil shock" arrived and longer-lived models survived the end of the muscle car era.  Many cosmetic and engineering changes were introduced on the HT model including trim and suspension changes to keep up with the competition.

HG Holden

The HG Holden was a minor update for the HT to keep costs low and in anticipation of a major update the following year.  A different grill was introduced but the models stayed pretty much the same as the previous year. My dad had a brown Kingswood, same brown as the photo below with a cream coloured roof. Classy!

HQ Holden

The HQ Holden is considered to be the best looking Holden model released to date and it was easily the best selling Holden of the pre-Commodore era. 

Many body style variations were created and engines ranged from weezy 6-cylinder Holden engines to the mighty 350 cubic inch Chevrolet small block. 

HJ Holden

The HJ Holden had a hard act to follow and while no major mechanical updates were added, the tail lights, grill and interior received enough changes to update the overall package at the expense of some of the subtlety of the original design.  Typically seventies colours were available some even brighter than the previous model.

HX Holden

The HX Holden brought only minor styling changes and some engine changes due to further emissions requirements imposed by the Government.  Most cars at this time had radial tyres from new however the suspension was not really up to the same standard. The outrageous colours continued to be used throughout the seventies. Yeah baby!

HZ Holden

The HZ Holden finally brought the handling up to the standard it should have been all along. Radial Tuned Suspension (RTS) was introduced on the HZ (and other Holden models) at this time including wider rims and tyres.  

WB Holden

The WB Holden was designed to replace the HZ across the range but it was decided to discontinue the Holden range based on this platform and build on a new platform that was lighter and more fuel efficient. The new platform was based on the Opel and would be the start another 30 years of Holden. 

The WB Holden was produced in both commercial vehicles (ute) and long-wheelbase Caprice versions, complete opposite ends of the scale. The WB Holden used a few parts from the Commodores (metric) parts bin. This included wheel hubs (same metric bolt pattern) and the engines (using more modern fuel injection). 

The Commodore range would eventually include a long wheelbase model but it would be many years after the WB Caprice ended production in 1984. 

How many were made of each model? Detailed stats on the number of model variants (such as how many blue Monaro’s were made with white trim and a black vinyl roof) are sketchy as detailed records were not kept by Holdens although total production numbers were published….these figures from Public Relations Department in a book called The Holden Heritage 1948-1995 that was published by General Motors Holdens Automative Ltd.

MODEL YEAR TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORT CKD*

48/215 1948 120,402 120,402 0 0

FJ 1953 169,969 167,441 2,528 0

FE 1956 155,161 148,586 2,831 3,744

FC 1958 191,724 187,055 1,946 2,723

FB 1959 174,747 161,939 3,256 9,552

EK 1961 150,214 143,362 2,574 4,278

EJ 1962 154,811 145,566 3,797 5,448

EH 1963 256,959 236,266 7,181 13,512

HD 1965 178,927 157,946 6,521 14,460

HR 1966 252,352 228,542 7,723 16,087

HK 1968 199,039 183,094 5,001 10,944

HT 1969 183,402 162,144 5,849 15,409

HG 1970 155,787 132,418 5,129 18,240

HQ 1971 485,650 398,802 14,558 72,290

HJ 1974 176,202 166,301 949 8,952

HX 1976 110,669 103,812 593 6,264

HZ 1977 154,155 144,078 1,749 8,328

WB 1980 60,231 58,827 204 1,200

*CKD = Completely Knocked Down (cars exported disassembled for assembly overseas)

**Footnote: From VP onwards CKD figures do not come into calculation.