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From the collection of Trafalgar Holden Museum

597 Items featured online

Vehicle - Holden FE special sedan, July 1956

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Have a question? Contact Trafalgar Holden Museum

Historical information

BY THE time the FJ Holden was replaced with the FE in July 1956, Australia’s own had taken many steps forward. The six-volt electrics were replaced with a 12-volt set-up, the two-piece windscreen was replaced with a single curved item and the skinny 15in rims were replaced with 13x4.5 steelies. Unlike the FX-FJ, the FE was designed locally by an Australian team. The resulting car was much sleeker than the earlier models, being two inches longer in the wheelbase, four inches longer overall and slightly heavier than its predecessor. To compensate, the 132ci grey motor was blessed with another small dose of horsepower thanks to larger valves and improved cylinder heads. Other mechanical improvements included pendulum-style brake and clutch pedals, hydraulic clutch actuation, larger brake drums and recirculating ball (rather than worm and sector) steering. Other great leaps forward included optional heater, indicators, reversing lights, windscreen washers and demister.

Significance

In knocked down form was the first model to be exported to New Zealand

Physical description

Black painted special sedan. Added accessories include exterior sun visor, headlight protectors, and on the interior grab handle mounted across the back of the front seat