"LITTLE HISTORY OF THE FJ HOLDEN"

It was 1948 when Laurence Hartnett - then general manager of Holden - realised the long standing dream of creating a truly Australian car. Based on a Chevrolet design the new 48-215 (or FX as it was unoffically and affectionately named) boasted a 132.5 cubic inch (2,171 cc) engine and soon captured the mind and hearts of Australian motorists.

In 1951 the 50-2106 coupe utility - better known as the ‘Ute’, hit the market and this reliable and inexpensive workhorse soon became the preferred vehicle of rural Australia. By 1953, a redesign saw the launch of the leg- endary FJ.

Without doubt, the FJ is the most iconic and famous car ever designed and produced in this country. The Utility Vehicle and Panel van versions supplemented the original four door sedan before year’s end. Exceptional reliability, affordability (£1,023) and aggressive market ing saw the FJ become one of the most popular cars in Australian history.

Broadly modelled on the silhouette of its predecessor, the FJ featured a bolder more horizontal front grill and small ‘mud guard’ panels to shield the protruding rear wings from low flying dust and gravel. The six cylinder engine was increased in capacity to produce 60bhp at 3,800 rpm. After a mild facelift in 1954, the first exports began to New Zealand and the FJ also took to the roads of Thailand, Malaya and Borneo. In total, 169,969 FJ Holdens rolled off the assembly line.

   "WELLCOME TO MY WEB SITE"

Hi, before you check it out have a look at this below. I was contacted in July 2007 by a company called ZOOM FILMING here in Brisbane QLD, wanting to use my FJ Holden Ute in the "New 2008 HOLDEN VE UTE" Television Commercial.Of course I said yes . It has just been released (Oct 2007)check it out. At the start is the making of it and towards the end is the Television Commercial. You will see my FJ Holden Ute at the start of the commercial parked in the driveway of the old house. 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIKIAsgjXD4

In May 2008 Brendan Nawrocki "Singer/Song Writer" contacted me (via this web site) wanting to use my FJ Holden Ute for one of his Film Clips for his new song "She Went By."I was over whelmed and more then happy to help. It is currently on Austar Country Music TV channel.

Anyway tell me what you think of my web site by writing a message in my  Guest Book Comments above .Thanks and hope you enjoy it.

I remember when I was around 10 my grandad bought this 1955 FJ Holden Ute from a Mr Weir west of Mackay Qld with only 32000 miles on the clock. He restored it back to its original condition in the early 80’s after Mr Weir’s son had started to “hack into it” by starting to fit HR running gear and flaring the front guards. I guess you could say I’ve really loved the old Holden’s since then.

I had always wanted it, and eventually I offered to buy it from my Grandad, which I ended up doing in March 2000. Grandad had long since retired from owning his own mechanical business, and during those many years sitting in his shed this once-proud piece of motoring history had deteriorated and was now a picture of neglect.Once it was in my hands the first thing I did was sand the paint down with wet and dry, as it was quite faded. Grandad had it painted in its original colour (Mosman Blue) around the mid 1980’s. I then gave it a light buff, which bought back the shine.I then had to work out what I was going to do!!! I’ve always thought the FJ Ute would look really nice with a set of fats fitted to it, bucket seats and a more powerful motor to replace the original 132 Grey that’s in it still.  After many months of reading many different car articles in magazines, it seemed as though they’re where not many around in original condition or even in this condition.

So I decided to keep it the way it was but make it different from other FJ’s . So I thought of fitting the original 50’s accessories to it, such as Nasco, AC, Wibroc, Lucas and Trico features.
First thing was to get rid of one of the batteries under the bonnet as there was a 12 volt for the radio and a 6 volt for the FJ electrical system/engine. The 12-volt battery was for the radio, so out it went. To keep the car in as original condition as can be, I needed to find an original 6 volt “Air Chief” Valve Radio. Which was the standard one for the FJ back in the day.After many years investigating, I had found not only the much sought-after “Air Chief Radio” but also an original 6-volt GMH bitumen battery to go with the car plus many other rare accessories, as you will see in the photos.To go further I removed a thew things, like the Tramp Rods that where fitted, Tyres with radials (as the cross plies wondered all over the road) and placed white wall inserts, with Nasco Trim Rims to make the wheels stand out.

Removed Air Shocks from the rear replacing them with NOS Delco shocks. I left the indicators on that my grandad put, as I felt there for safety.  I found reproduction of all the engine bay stickers, which I have placed on. At the same time I found that the 132 grey motor in my FJ Ute is of the period of it’s built time by researching the engine number being January 1955. 
I replaced the spark plug leads with the genuine ones being copper leads. Also over the years I was lucky enough to find a replacement rear light lenes as the one fitted had been glued together many of times. But over all doing all this there was one thing I did stuff up, the under body was spray-painted in an orange colour which I didn’t like. So I sprayed over it with black BUT I have since found out that in the 50’s that it was the rust proofing colour. So now I’m in the process of removing all the paint that I put over it to try bring it back to its originality.

I still use the old girl to take loads of rubbish to the dump, people say I’m MAD but hay it is a Ute isn’t it ? I have also over the past few years started entering it in car shows and have won many trophies, most of which have been for its originality.My most prized trophy I have won was for "QLD GENERAL MOTORS DAY"-"CAR OF THE DAY" ,OCTOBER 2007.I love the old girl that much I have even gone to the existent of getting the FJ Emblem tattooed on my right arm and have also collected over the years a lot of the old Holden memorabilia items as you will see on the other pages.

Well I hope you enjoy my web site and if you have time check out my other pages of rare old rusty FJ Holden’s I found in my travels, also some old advertisements, pamphlets and accessories from my collection.If you have any questions, information or want a chat about FJ’s or just Holden’s feel welcome to drop me a line at gmhboy@optusnet.com.au .Also "IF YOU WISH TO COPY ANY INFORMATION OR PICTURES OFF MY WEB SITE PLEASE DO'NT HESITATE TO ASK .Thanks for looking and have a nice day. I would like to say a "BIG" Thanks to my Grandad (Vic Moy of Mackay Qld) for all the time and knowledge he has give to me over the years in getting the FJ Holden Ute to what it is today.But not only for that ,BUT for being a great Grandad as well as my best mate and always will be.