from www.fastlane.com.au

The EH Holden (1963-1965)

Originally heralded as the most dramatic new Holden model since the 48-215, the EH stakes a big claim on the title of the nation's all-time most popular car. During just 18 months of manufacture, the EH sold a record 256,959 units to become the fastest selling Australian car ever.

Based on the EJ - the first completely new 60s Holden model - the EH boasted a completely new, much more powerful engine and clever styling changes. Despite these new features, the basic EH was priced at the same level as its predecessor.

A wave of public interest prior to the release of this value-for-money model created unprecedented demand and marked a resurgence of the locally-built product amid the rising popularity of cheaper Japanese imports.

The more fuel-efficient new powerplant, dubbed the 'red engine' (after the colour of its painted block) was available in two versions - a first for GMH.

It offered 33 per cent more power than the previous 'grey engine' in standard 149 configuration and 53 per cent more power in bigger 179 form. This increased horsepower restored the Holden's performance relativity to the superior level benchmarked by the Holden 48-215 model in 1948. The bigger 179 engine came standard in the top-end Premier and limited edition S4 sports models while a third engine, an economy low compression version of the 149, was also available.

The engines were designed to be smoother, longer lasting and more economical. They also proved ideal for towing, an increasingly popular pastime in the 60s. Renowned for reliability and long lifespan, a 'red engine' would often cover over 130,000km before any major service overhaul was required. Competitors' engines at the time commonly needed this attention at 80,000km.

Today's equivalent family Holden, the top-selling VT Commodore, mirrors the advanced engine technology, performance and styling appeal that underpinned the remarkable popularity of the EH. Engine choice remains a Holden strength and currently includes 3.8 litre ECOTEC V6, Supercharged V6, 5.0 litre and 5.7 litre V8 powerplants.

While today's Commodore, Calais and Ute range now extends to 39 basic model, engine and transmission configurations, the EH range offered 24 variants across five models; the Standard, Special, Premier, Coupe Utility and Panel Van.

For the first time, buyers could also experience the luxury appointments of the Premier range in a station wagon. The S4 sports model, produced in small numbers (120) for use in motor sport, was the only version to combine the powerful 179 engine with three-speed manual transmission.

The EH owed much of its success to its universal appeal. It was cheap, practical, economical, relatively quick and ideal for modification. Thirty-five years down the track, its familiar good-looks and high status have ensured its enduring popularity - to the extent that there are now thirteen dedicated EH car clubs with over 800 enthusiast members.

John Badger, a long-time EH devotee and foundation member of the EH Holden Car Club of Victoria, is so passionate about his lovingly restored model that he changed the last four digits of his phone number to 1964 - the year his EH was manufactured.

EH HOLDEN FACTS

Base price at introduction: $2102/£1051

Total number built: 256,959

Models:
Standard sedan, Special sedan, Premier sedan, S4 Special sedan, Standard station wagon, Special station wagon, Premier station wagon, panel van and utility

Engines: 2.45 litre OHV six-cylinder '149' (a low-compression version of this engine was also available) and 2.95 litre OHV six-cylinder ' 179'

Transmission: Three-speed manual, syncromesh on 2nd and 3rd. Optional three-speed Hydramatic automatic. Both with column mounted shift lever.

Power Output:
'149' - 100bhp @ 4400rpm
'179' - 115bhp @ 4000rpm
'149' low compression - 95bhp @ 4400rpm

Dimensions (sedan):

Length - 451 lmm, Width - 1727mm Wheelbase - 2667mm

Fuel Tank: 9½ gallons/43 litres

ALSO IN 1963-65:

• Holden's new £11 million engine plant and foundry opens at Fishermens Bend in Melbourne, Vic.
• Holden produces 166,274 cars during 1963. Of these, 10,798 are shipped to 55 overseas markets.
• Holden's Design and Engineering group moves into a new Technical Centre at Fishermens Bend. This state-of-the-art facility catered for 900 designers, engineers, draftsmen, modellers and technicians.

Popular songs and films of 1963:

Surf City (Jan and Dean), Danke Schoen (Wayne Newton), Bombora (The Atlantics), Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah (Allan Sherman), Surfin' Hootenanny (Al Casey).

The L-Shaped Room (Leslie Caron), The Birds (Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren), Hud (Paul Newman, Patricia Neal, Melvyn Douglas), Exodus (Paul Newman).