from http://www.ccar.com.au/aus/jul98-fj.html

The Humpy Habit - 50 Years of Holden: the FJ

The FJ has become part of Australian folklore. Most Australians past their teens can recognise an FJ. General Motors-Holden launched the FJ back in October 1953, and they were soon selling like hot cakes. The previous model, the original 48-215 and its derivatives, (collectively termed the 'FX') had quickly developed a reputation for ease of driving and economical running - and most importantly, it didn't fall apart on the rough Australian roads of the time (both in and out of town). Interestingly, though, the FJ has become the best known of the 'Humpy' Holdens.

Despite the similarity between the FJ and the FX, there were quite a few detail changes. The most obvious was the new grille, which was more in keeping with the jukebox era of the 1950s; it was also cheaper to build than the more complex vertical slats of the FX.

The FJ also came with more chrome, new hubcaps, new bumpers, and chrome fins on the rear guards which also incorporated the reflectors.

Mechanically, there wasn't much of a difference over its predecessor. The faithful 'grey' motor (named after its colour) developed all of 60bhp and drove through a three-speed column change gearbox, with synchro on the top two gears. The power and performance is hardly spectacular by today's standards, but it's enough to allow all-day cruising, and it will still return 30mpg - just what the Australian motoring public wanted back when the FJ was launched. The motor was, and still is, easily adapted to performance with a reliable 150bhp readily obtainable from racing versions.

Suspension was entirely conventional for the time, with coils and wishbones at the front and semi-elliptics at the rear, and it could be repaired by any mechanic - an essential requirement out in the country.

Tough but basic

Before it had been launched there had been a degree of scepticism about the FJ's chassis-less construction, but by 1953 the new Holden had shown that it was more than a match for the worst road conditions.

Electrics are six volt, making night-time driving, and starting on cold mornings, quite a challenge. There were no indicators and, as with most vehicles of the time, there was no heater/demister. Drivers were also taught a good degree of patience thanks to the slowly operating vacuum windscreen wipers.

The FJ sedan was available in either Standard, Special or Business derivatives; there were also utility and panel van body styles. No station wagon was available; however, a dealer-supplied conversion kit for the panel van could be bought. Options also featured very heavily, sunvisors being one of the most popular. Not only could your new Holden be ordered in 12 different colours, including two-tone combinations, but the interior was upgraded with new dual-coloured door trim, armrests and more interior brightwork.

By the end of the first year of FJ manufacturing, GM-H's market share was up to an impressive 27.7 percent. All this sales growth was at the expense of vehicles from Morris, Austin, Standard and Ford. However, by the beginning of 1956 the FJ, while still selling reasonably well, was looking decidedly long in the tooth. In July of that year it was replaced by the all-Australian-designed FE.

The next generation

The stuff of youth: a chocolate-brown FJ complete with wide wheels and tyres. But, as we all know, the possessions of our youth sometimes have to give way to the practicalities of marriage, mortgage and kids. Such was the situation for Ken Vineburg of Sydney, who parted company with his first FJ over 20 years ago. The thing was, he didn't part with his affection for the car.

Two years ago, Ken was once again in a position to have another FJ in his life. His search led him to the Victorian town of Drysdale and to a Milano Ivory 1955 Special Sedan. Soon, both Ken and car were back in Sydney. The car had been restored, and Ken found that there wasn't much to do except worry about the amount of blue smoke pumping from the exhaust after the car had been sitting for a short time. New valve seals fixed the problem.

While he bought his first FJ partly with a view to teaching himself mechanics, Ken hopes to share his car with his sons, aged 12 and eight. Work over the past two years - apart from fixing the oil burning - has consisted purely of minor maintenance like adjustments to the gear linkages and replacing the timing cover gasket. Ken likes to do all his own maintenance and finds the workshop manual invaluable, "just like following a recipe", he told me.

Ken is a active member of the 48 and FJ Owners Club and loves the family atmosphere of the club. Like most classic car club members, Ken likes the car talk, especially when it centres on maintaining early Holdens in pristine original condition.

The club is planning a run to Melbourne in November to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Holden. Highlights of the tour will be a run around the GM-H proving ground followed by an inspection of the Albert Park GP track. So if you see a group of Humpies on the road, give them a wave, for they are keeping a little part of Australia's history alive for future generations.