1953 FJ Holden

Barry Hill

History.

In 2003 radio station 2RE in Taree celebrated 50 years of broadcasting and as part of the celebrations it was decided to restore a 50 year old car. Local businesses were used in the restoration and the FJ was raffled off raising money for local charities. The car came into my possession in 2004 after purchasing it off the winner, who incidentally made a substantial profit from his initial $2 investment. The car had undergone a complete restoration to be like it just came off the production line back in 1953, even to the cross-ply tyres and 6 volt electrics. The FJ restoration won for the radio station a National Award for Best Community Service Project at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards.

 

 

Barry’s 1953 FJ Holden

 

Specifications.

·         Years of Manufacture:         1953 - 1956

·         Number Built:                       169,969

·         Price at Introduction:           £1023 ($2064)

Models:

·         Standard Sedan

·         Business Sedan

·         Special Sedan

·         Panel Van

·         Utility

 

Date(s) of Introduction:

·         All Models (except Panel Van) - October, 1953

·         Panel Van - December, 1953

Identification:

·         Similar body to 48/215 but with open grille and thick horizontal chrome bar

·         "Holden" badge mounted on front centre of bonnet

·         Centrally mounted rear stop light with chrome surround

 

Body:

·         Unitary construction (Monocoque)

Exterior Dimensions:

·         Total Length: 173.3 inches (4401mm)

·         Total width: 66.9 inches (1702mm)

·         Height at kerb weight: 62.3 inches (1581mm)

·         Wheelbase: 103.0 inches (2616mm)

·         Front Track: 53.0 inches (1346mm)

·         Rear Track: 54.0 inches (1372mm)

Kerb Weight and Turning Circle:

·         2250lb (1012kg) and 37ft (11.3 metres)

Instruments:

·         Speedometer

·         Petrol gauge

·         Heat indicator

·         Oil warning lamp

·         Generator warning lamp

Engine:

·         Capacity: 2160cc 132.5 cubic inches (2.171 litres)

·         Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 6 cylinders

·         Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline

·         Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder

·         Fuel System: Stromberg double venturi downdraft type carburettor

·         Bore and Stroke: 3.00 x 3.125 inches (76.2 x 79.4mm)

·         Power: 60bhp (45kw) at 3800rpm

·         Torque: 100lb-ft (135Nm) at 2000rpm

·         Compression Ratio: 6.5:1

Transmission:

·         1st: 2.985:1 to top speed of 30 mph (48 km/h)

·         2nd: 1.591:1 to top speed of 52 mph (84 km/h)

·         3rd: 1.00:1 to top speed of 80.4 mph (129 km/h)

·         Reverse: 2.985:1

 

Clutch:

·         Single-plate, dry disc, diaphragm type spring driven plate cushioned to hub by four high rate coil springs

Rear Axle Ratio:

·         3.894:1

Ignition and Electrical:

·         volt

·         coil and generator

Exhaust:

·         Single tail-pipe, straight through resonance type muffler

Suspension:

·                     Front: Short and long arm independent type with coil springs

·                     Rear: Hotchkiss Drive with semi-elliptic springs

Steering:

·         Worm and sector type, ratio 14:1

Brakes:

·       Front: Hydraulic 9 inch (229mm) drums

·       Rear: Hydraulic 9 inch (229mm) drums

Wheels:

·         Demountable disc wheels with drop centre type rim integral with wheel

Tyres:

·         Low pressure balloon 5.50x15 four-ply (Standard), 5.90x15 four-ply (Special)

Performance:

• 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in 19.0 seconds
• Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres) in 20.4 seconds

Barry Hill

April 2020