Holden · 1953–1956

Holden FJ

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".

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Holden 48-215 · Successor: Holden FE

All Holden FJ data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

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 60 bhp (45 kW) achieved at 3,800 rpm, the claimed maximum power output from the six-cylinder engine was increased to 65 bhp (48 kW) achieved at 4,000 rpm. The sedan, in Standard, Business and Special trim levels, and a coupe utility were announced in October 1953 and were followed by a panel van derivative in December of that year. A wagon prototype was built but the bodystyle was not put into production. In 1954, Holden's first exports began with sales of the FJ in New Zealand. 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 1957 with a total of 169,969 examples produced.

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. 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.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Holden FJ
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: 132.5 cuin Grey I6
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Wheelbase: 2620 mm
Length: 4401 mm
Width: 1702 mm
Height: 1581 mm
Kerb weight: 2250 lb
Predecessor: Holden 48-215 & 50-2106
Successor: Holden FE
Designer: Alf Payze, Frank Mathwin
sp: uk

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2779218CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_FJCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1358783535 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holden_FJ.jpgCC BY-SA 2.0 · Photo: David Jackmanson from Brisbane, Australia · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.