Holden FB

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Holden FB
1960-1961 Holden Special (FB) Station Sedan station wagon (2015-07-15) 01.jpg
Holden Special Station Sedan
Overview
ManufacturerHolden (General Motors)
Also calledHolden Standard
Holden Special
Holden Utility
Holden Panel Van
ProductionJanuary 1960 – May 1961
Body and chassis
Body style4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
2-door coupé utility
2-door panel van
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
Engine138 cu in (2.3 L) 6-cyl[1]
Transmission3-speed manual[1]
3-speed automatic[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase105.0 inches (2667 mm)[1]
Length181.5 inches (4610 mm)[1]
Width67.0 inches (1703 mm)[1]
Height60.0 inches (1521 mm)[1]
Curb weightStandard Sedan: 2473 lb (1122 kg)[1]
Chronology
PredecessorHolden FC
SuccessorHolden EK

The Holden FB is an automobile produced by Holden in Australia from 1960 to 1961.[2] Introduced on 14 January 1960,[1] the FB series replaced the Holden FC range.[2]

Model range[]

The FB range consisted of four-door sedans in two trim levels, five-door station wagons in two trim levels,[3] a two-door coupe utility and a two-door panel van.[4] The six models were marketed as follows:

  • Holden Standard Sedan[3]
  • Holden Standard Station Sedan[3]
  • Holden Special Sedan[3]
  • Holden Special Station Sedan[3]
  • Holden Utility[4]
  • Holden Panel Van[4]

The Holden Business Sedan, which had been marketed as part of the FC range, was not carried over to the FB series.[2]

  • Holden Standard Sedan

  • Holden Standard Station Sedan

  • Holden Special Sedan

  • Holden Special Station Sedan

  • Holden Utility

  • Holden Utility

  • Holden Panel Van

  • Holden Panel Van

Changes[]

The FB was promoted as being longer, lower, more spacious and more powerful than the FC model, but in reality it was only slightly so on each count.[5] Overall length was 5.5 inches (140 mm) greater, although the wheelbase remained the same.[5] The engine bore was still 3 inches (76 mm), the last model with that specification. Engine capacity remained at 132 cubic inches (2.16 L) but the compression ratio was raised. However, the resulting extra 4 brake horsepower (3 kW) of power did not compensate for the greater weight of the FB, so performance was inferior to that of its predecessor.[6] Changes were also made to the brakes, front coil springs, air cleaner and clutch.[2]

Obvious styling differences were the lower bonnet, finned rear mudguards with new taillights (on the sedans and wagons only) and a wrap-around windscreen.[5] Seating was improved, as was the instrument panel.[5]

Notably, the FB was the first Holden model to also be produced in left-hand drive form, those vehicles being destined for export markets.[2]

Engines[]

All FB models were powered by a 132-cubic-inch (2.16 L) inline six-cylinder engine, the last to have the 3-inch (76 mm) bore size, producing 75 brake horsepower (56 kW).[6]

Production and replacement[]

After a production run of 147,747 vehicles,[1] the FB was replaced by the Holden EK series in May 1961.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Holden FB Specifications Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 October 2009
  2. ^ a b c d e Holden FB Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 October 2009
  3. ^ a b c d e ”Holden, Australia’s Own Car” (GMH sales brochure for Holden FB Sedans and Station Sedans)
  4. ^ a b c ”Holden, Australia’s Own Utility, Australia’s Own Panel Van” (GMH sales brochure for Holden FB Utility and Panel Van)
  5. ^ a b c d Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 78
  6. ^ a b Original Genuine GMH Factory Workshop Manual
  7. ^ Holden Heritage Part 1 Archived 24 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from media.gm.com on 15 October 2009

Further reading[]

  • Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002, pages 230–231
  • Norm Darwin, The history of Holden since 1917, 1983
  • The Sixties Holden Archive – Holden FB Retrieved from members.tripod.com on 15 October 2009
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