| Holden 48-215 Holden 50-2106 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Holden |
| Also called | Holden, Holden FX (unofficial) |
| Production | November 1948–September 1953 |
| Assembly | Sydney, New South Wales (Pagewood)[1] Brisbane, Queensland (Fortitude Valley[1] Adelaide, South Australia (Birkenhead)[1] Perth, Western Australia (Holden Mosman Park Plant)[1] Adelaide, South Australia (Woodville)[1] Melbourne, Victoria (Fishermans Bend) |
| Designer | Frank Mathwin |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style | 4-doorsedan (48-215) 2-doorcoupe utility (50-2106) |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 132 cu in (2,171 cc)GMH '132'I6 |
| Transmission | 3-speedmanual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 103 in (2,620 mm) |
| Length | 172 in (4,370 mm) |
| Width | 66.9 in (1,699 mm) |
| Height | 61.8 in (1,570 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,230 lb (1,010 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Holden FJ |
TheHolden 48-215 is amid-sizesedan which was produced by the AustralianautomakerHolden between November 1948 and October 1953. The50-2106, acoupé utility derivative of the model marketed as the Holden Coupe Utility, was produced from January 1951.
The 48-215 was the firstGeneral Motors model in Australia to bear theHolden name.[2] With the design originated from an unusedChevrolet model.[3][4] The car was marketed simply as theHolden, without a model name.[5]
It had a 132.5 cu in (2,171 cc) cast-ironHoldenGrey motorstraight-six which produced 60 hp (45 kW), connected to a three-speedmanual transmission. it had a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) acceleration time of 18.7 or 27.7 seconds[a], and a 37 ft (11.3 m)turning circle.[3][6][7]
In January 1951 the Holden 50-2106 (also known as the Holden Coupe Utility) was released, acoupé utility derivative of the 48-215 sedan.[8][9] It had apayload capacity of 7 short hundredweight (318 kg).[10] In July 1953 the Holden "Business Sedan" was added to the range.[11] Originally referred to as the 48-215-257, the Business Sedan was renamed 48-217.[12]
The 48-215 and 50-2106 models were replaced by theHolden FJ series in 1953.[13]
In mainstream parlance, the official name of "Holden 48-215" was eschewed in favour of the shortened "Holden" designation. Following the replacement of the first Holden, the 48-215 gained the unofficial nickname ofHolden FX. This designation was first used in the Drawing Office at GM-H in 1952 as an unofficial means of distinguishing between early 48-215 vehicles with front suspension using lever-action shock absorbers, and those with the new telescopic shock absorber front suspension introduced in 1953 - the term "FX" was pencilled onto a parts list for the new suspension components.[14] The title "FX" later came into use in used car advertisements to describe models with the later suspension, first being used by Melbourne dealer Reg Smith Motors in two advertisements in the 10 February 1960 issue ofThe Age.[15]
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Three prototypes were built by hand in 1946 by American and Australian engineers at the General Motors workshop inDetroit. Months of durability and performance testing were undergone in the US before the three prototypes were shipped to Australia. Prototype number one was first registered (as a Chevrolet) in Victoria as JP-480 on 12 February 1947.[16] It survives as part of theNational Museum of Australia collection. Prototypes two and three were registered at the same time as JP-481 and JP-482.
A further two prototypes were built in Australia; the first was registered as KJ-400. Owned by Australian businessman Peter Briggs between 1980 and 2013, the car's value was estimated to be worth overA$1 million when it was put up for auction in the Motorclassica auction Melbourne, in October 2013.[17] The second Australian-built prototype was registered as KY-442. All five prototypes were registered as Chevrolets.
Only two were used for photographic purposes. They were:[16]
In the absence of an established supplier base in Australia for auto-making, new forging facilities had to be set up for producing crankshafts and a new foundry was set up for major castings.[18] In order to hasten the project to production some simplifications were incorporated.[18] There were no direction indicators, there was no provision for heating or demisting, and at the rear there was only a single, centrally positioned, tail lamp.[18] Because of the mild climate in most of the populated areas of the country, it was found possible to save weight and cost by using a relatively small 6-volt 11-plate battery.[18] Interior trim was minimised: weight reduction was pursued "with great vigour" and, in view of the 2,247 lb (1,019 kg) weight in "running trim", a success.[18]
All four Holden colours were represented:[16]
| Pilot car No. | Colour | Serial No. | Engine No. | Registration No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gawler Cream (Body No. six) | 8-1001-M | 1001 | MG-501 |
| 2 | Black | 8-1002-M | 1002 | MG-502 |
| 3 | Black | 8-1003-M | 1003 | MG-503 |
| 4 | Black | 8-1004-M | 1004 | MG-504 |
| 5 | Black | 8-1005-M | 1005 | MG-505 |
| 6 | Seine Blue | 8-1006-M | 1006 | MG-506 |
| 7 | Convoy Grey | 8-1007-M | 1007 | MG-507 |
| 8 | Black | 8-1008-M | 1008 | MG-508 |
| 9 | Black | 8-1009-M | 1009 | MG-509 |
| 10 | Black | 8-1010-M | 1010 | MG-510 |
These ten cars were used for testing. Three of them went to the Engineering Department, five went to Manufacturing, one went to the General Sales Manager, and one went to the managing director, H.E. Bettle.[16]
When all departments were satisfied with the car, volume production began. Black bodies dominated the early roll-out but GMH made sure that each capital city also received examples of cream, blue, and grey. Ultimately, 68 Holdens were distributed to the capital cities before unveiling day.[19]
On 21 November 1948 Holden held an open day forFishermans Bend employees and their families, it to exhibit the entire factory and the car 48-215, GMH estimated that 12,000 guests attended. There were partly assembled cars at various stages along the assembly line as well as finished cars for the guests to inspect.[19]
The official launch for Victorian dealers was held at the Oriental Hotel in Melbourne on Friday, 26 November.[19]
The official unveiling byPrime MinisterBen Chifley commenced at 2:30 pm on Monday, 29 November 1948, in the Fishermans Bend Social Hall. The 400 guests applauded when silver curtains parted to reveal a cream Holden, in a black velvet setting and sparkling under spotlights, as an orchestra played Brahms' Waltz in A-flat. The celebrations at the plant were attended by 1,200 official guests.[19] The Holden was released for sale to the public atPort Melbourne, Victoria. The car was marketed simply as theHolden, without a model name.[5]
