Holden FE

The Holden FE is an automobile produced by Holden in Australia from 1956 to 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.[2]

Holden FE
Holden Special Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
Also called	Holden Standard Holden Business Sedan Holden Special Holden Utility Holden Panel Van
Production	July 1956 – April 1958
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door coupé utility 2-door panel van
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2.2 L (132.5 cu in) I6
Transmission	3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	105.0 inches (2667mm)[1]
Length	176.0 inches (4470mm)[1]
Width	67.0 inches (1702mm)[1]
Height	61.0 inches (1549mm)[1]
Curb weight	2380lb (1080kg)[1]
Chronology
Predecessor	Holden FJ
Successor	Holden FC

Overview

The FE models were built on a longer wheelbase than the FJ series Holdens which they replaced, and they featured totally different styling, the FJ models having used a body shape carried over from the original Holden 48-215 series introduced in 1948. A single piece windscreen was now fitted and other improvements included a 12 volt electrical system (replacing the previous 6 volt system), improved steering, a front stabiliser bar and wider wheel rims. All models used a 2262 cc in-line six cylinder engine, coupled with a 3-speed manual gearbox. Engine improvements over the FJ included the use of bigger valves and the lifting of the compression ratio to 6.8:1, which increased the power output from 45 kW (60 hp) to 53 kW (71 hp).[3]

Model range

The seven Holden FE models series were marketed as follows:

• Holden Standard Sedan[4]
• Holden Standard Station Sedan[1]
• Holden Business Sedan[4]
• Holden Special Sedan[4]
• Holden Special Station Sedan[1]
• Holden Utility[5]
• Holden Panel Van[5]

When introduced in July 1956, the FE range consisted of the Holden Standard Sedan, Holden Business Sedan and Holden Special Sedan, the names designating different levels of equipment and interior trim. The existing FJ series Holden Utility and Holden Panel Van models continued alongside the new sedans, with the FE Utility replacing its FJ counterpart in February 1957. Two station wagon models, the Holden Standard Station Sedan and the Holden Special Station Sedan were released in March 1957, marking the first time that Holden had included a wagon in its range since the marque was introduced in 1948. The FE Panel Van replaced its FJ predecessor in May 1957, bringing the FE range up to its full complement of seven models.[1]

The FE was also the first Holden to be assembled locally in New Zealand, in 1957 and 1958.

• 
  Holden Standard Sedan
• 
  Holden Standard Sedan
• 
  Holden Special Sedan
• 
  Holden Special Station Sedan
• 
  Holden Business Sedan
• 
  Holden Business Sedan
• 
  Holden Panel Van (with non-standard wheels)
• 
  Holden Panel Van (with non-standard wheels)
• 
  Holden Utility
• 
  Holden Utility

Production and replacement

After a production run of 155,161 vehicles the entire FE range was replaced by the Holden FC series in May 1958.[6]

References

1. Holden FE Specifications Retrieved from Unique Cars and Parts on 22 August 2008
2. Webster, Mark (2002), Assembly: New Zealand Car Production 1921-98, Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand: Reed, p. 70, ISBN 0-7900-0846-7
3. The Holden FE Retrieved from Unique Cars and Parts on 22 August 2008
4. Sales brochure for FE series Holden Sedans
5. Sales brochure for FE series Holden Utility & Panel Van
6. Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, pages 228-229

External links

• FE Holden at The Sixties Holden Archives Includes scans of Holden FE sales brochures