Holden FB

Last updated

Holden FB
1960-1961 Holden Special (FB) Station Sedan station wagon (2015-07-15) 01.jpg
Holden Special Station Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer Holden (General Motors)
Also calledHolden Standard
Holden Special
Holden Utility
Holden Panel Van
ProductionJanuary 1960 – May 1961
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
2-door coupé utility
2-door panel van
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine 2.3L GMH '138' I6
Transmission 3-speed manual [1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 105.0 inches (2667 mm) [1]
Length181.5 inches (4610 mm) [1]
Width67.0 inches (1703 mm) [1]
Height60.0 inches (1521 mm) [1]
Curb weight Standard Sedan: 2473 lb (1122 kg) [1]
Chronology
Predecessor Holden FC
Successor Holden EK

The Holden FB is an automobile produced by Holden in Australia from 1960 to 1961. [2] Introduced on 14 January 1960, [1] the FB series replaced the Holden FC range. [2]

Contents

Model range

The FB range consisted of four-door sedans in two trim levels, five-door station wagons in two trim levels, [3] a two-door coupe utility and a two-door panel van. [4] The six models were marketed as follows:

The Holden Business Sedan, which had been marketed as part of the FC range, was not carried over to the FB series. [2]

Changes

The FB was promoted as being longer, lower, more spacious and more powerful than the FC model, but in reality it was only slightly so on each count. [5] Overall length was 5.5 inches (140 mm) greater, although the wheelbase remained the same. [5] The engine bore was still 3 inches (76 mm), the last model with that specification. Engine capacity remained at 132 cubic inches (2.16 L) but the compression ratio was raised. However, the resulting extra 4 brake horsepower (3 kW) of power did not compensate for the greater weight of the FB, so performance was inferior to that of its predecessor. [6] Changes were also made to the brakes, front coil springs, air cleaner and clutch. [2]

Obvious styling differences were the lower bonnet, finned rear mudguards with new taillights (on the sedans and wagons only) and a wrap-around windscreen. [5] Seating was improved, as was the instrument panel. [5]

Notably, the FB was the first Holden model to also be produced in left-hand drive form, those vehicles being destined for export markets. [2]

Engines

All FB models were powered by a 132-cubic-inch (2.16 L) inline six-cylinder engine, the last to have the 3-inch (76 mm) bore size, producing 75 brake horsepower (56 kW). [6]

Production and replacement

After a production run of 147,747 vehicles, [1] the FB was replaced by the Holden EK series in May 1961. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Chevelle</span> Mid-sized automobile

The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile that was produced by Chevrolet in three generations for the 1964 through 1978 model years. Part of the General Motors (GM) A-body platform, the Chevelle was one of Chevrolet's most successful nameplates. Body styles included coupes, sedans, convertibles, and station wagons. The "Super Sport" versions were produced through the 1973 model year and Lagunas from 1973 through to 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Caprice</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-sized automobile produced by Chevrolet in North America for the 1965 to 1996 model years. Full-size Chevrolet sales peaked in 1965 with over a million sold. It was the most popular car in the U.S. in the 1960s and early 1970s, which, during its lifetime, included the Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet El Camino</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupé utility vehicle that was produced by Chevrolet between 1959–60 and 1964–1987. Unlike a standard pickup truck, the El Camino was adapted from the standard two-door Chevrolet station wagon platform and integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Kingswood</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Kingswood is a full-size car that was manufactured in Australia by GM Holden, from the beginning of the HK series in 1968 through to the conclusion of the WB series in 1984. Prior to 1968, the full-size Holden range of family cars comprised the Holden Standard, the Holden Special, and Holden Premier models. Initially, the HK range of models included the basic Holden Belmont, the Kingswood, and the luxury-oriented Holden Premier, all of which were manufactured in a choice of sedan and station wagon bodies. Commercial variants were offered in three types: coupé utility, panel van, and later from 1971, a heavy-duty Holden One Tonner cab chassis. The utility (ute) version was originally marketed in both Belmont and Kingswood configurations. However, after the Belmont name was deleted from commercials at the end of HQ in late 1974, the base model commercials were sold only with the "Holden" badge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Gemini</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Gemini is a compact car that was produced by Holden and sold in Australasia from 1975 to 1986. It was based on the Japanese Isuzu Gemini, one of the many models based on the GM T-car platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden EH</span> Automobile produced by General Motors-Holden in Australia from 1963 to 1965

The Holden EH is an automobile produced by General Motors-Holden in Australia from 1963 to 1965. The EH was released in August 1963 replacing the Holden EJ series, and was the first Holden to incorporate the new "Red" engine, with a seven main bearing crankshaft instead of the four main bearing crankshaft used in the "Grey" engine. At first, a larger capacity 149-cubic-inch (2,440 cc) engine was only sold attached to a three-speed manual gearbox or the "Hydramatic" four-stage automatic transmission with a column shift. The Controlled Coupling Hydramatic used in the EH was actually a four-stage, although it effectively worked as a three-speed unit, except at full throttle. The 179-cubic-inch (2,930 cc) engine was initially sold only with the "Hydramatic" transmission. The first EH with a 179-cubic-inch engine and a manual gear box was called the "EH-S4", and was fitted with an upgraded manual gearbox, having stronger gears than in the 149 gear box, and an upgraded clutch. The three-speed manual column shift gearboxes had no synchromesh on first gear, only on the second and third (top) gear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden (automobile)</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden was a full-sized car produced by the company of the same name across 5 generations from 1948 until 1984. The Holden is also commonly referred to by their model designation and also the H Series. The Holden was introduced to be Australia's car, being the first full scale produced automobile exclusive to the country. Prior to which, General Motors Holden's Ltd. assembled imported CKD kits from overseas General Motors subsidiaries such as Chevrolet, Buick, Vauxhall and more. And the only other cars built in the country being Ford and Chrysler vehicle bodies fitted to imported chassis. The Holden was an instant success among Australians, being the first production car built solely for Australia's unique, rough roads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Special</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Special is a mid-size car that was manufactured by Holden for Australasia. Introduced as the top-level trim in the new Holden FJ range of 1953, the Special was complemented by the entry-level Holden Standard and the mid-range Holden Business. The Business was in fact already available, introduced in July 1953 in the 48 series first seen in 1948. Three months later, the FJ was introduced, therefore forming a three-model lineup based around one car. A "Standard"-type variant also existed in the 48 series, but had been marketed simply as the "Holden".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statesman (automobile)</span> Automotive marque created in 1971 by General Motors Holden

Statesman is an automotive marque created in 1971 by the Australian General Motors subsidiary, Holden. Statesman vehicles were sold through Holden dealerships, and were initially based on the mainstream Holden HQ station wagon platform, thereby providing more interior room and generally more luxurious features than their Holden-branded sedan siblings. Production ceased with the last of the WB series cars in December 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HQ</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HQ series is a range of automobiles that was produced by Holden in Australia from 1971 to 1974. The HQ was released on 15 July 1971, replacing the Holden HG series. It was the first ground-up redesign of the Holden line since its original release in 1948, and included an all-new body, chassis, and suspension. The HQ was later developed into a series of successor models, finally ending production when the WB series was discontinued in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden FE</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden FE is an automobile produced by Holden in Australia from 1956 until 1958. It was also the first Holden to be assembled in New Zealand, where General Motors New Zealand built their first example on 31 January 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HK</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HK series is an automobile which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1968 to 1969. Introduced in January 1968, the HK range progressively replaced the Holden HR series which had been in production since 1966. HK models were both larger and heavier than their predecessors and the range would ultimately include thirteen different models against the eight of the HR range. The Holden HK was marketed under Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, Brougham and Monaro model names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HJ</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HJ is a series of automobiles which were produced by Holden in Australia from 1974 to 1976. The HJ series was released on 4 October 1974 and was an improved and facelifted version of the superseded Holden HQ series which had been in production since 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden EJ</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden EJ is a motor vehicle produced by General Motors-Holden's in Australia from 1962 to 1963. Introduced in July 1962, the EJ replaced the Holden EK series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden FC</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden FC series is an automobile produced by Holden in Australia from 1958 to 1960. Introduced on 6 May 1958, the FC is a facelifted and improved version of the Holden FE series, which it replaced. Although it is exclusively an Australian design, the styling is reminiscent of a scaled-down North American 1955 Chevrolet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HT</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HT series is a range of automobiles which was produced by Holden in Australia between 1969 and 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HG</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HG is an automobile which was produced by Holden in Australia between 1970 and 1971. It was marketed under Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, Brougham and Monaro model names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden EK</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden EK series is a motor vehicle produced by Holden in Australia from 1961 to 1962. Introduced on 2 May 1961, the EK series was a facelifted version of the Holden FB, which it replaced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HD</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HD series is a range of automobiles which were produced by Holden in Australia from 1965 to 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HR</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HR is an automobile that was produced by Holden in Australia from 1966 to 1968.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Holden FB Specifications Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 October 2009
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Holden FB Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 October 2009
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 ”Holden, Australia’s Own Car” (GMH sales brochure for Holden FB Sedans and Station Sedans)
  4. 1 2 3 ”Holden, Australia’s Own Utility, Australia’s Own Panel Van” (GMH sales brochure for Holden FB Utility and Panel Van)
  5. 1 2 3 4 Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 78
  6. 1 2 Original Genuine GMH Factory Workshop Manual
  7. Holden Heritage Part 1 Archived 24 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from media.gm.com on 15 October 2009

Further reading