Holden FB
Holden FB | |
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![]() Holden Special Station Sedan | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Holden (General Motors) |
Also called | Holden Standard Holden Special Holden Utility Holden Panel Van |
Production | January 1960 – May 1961 |
Designer | Alf Payze |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door coupé utility 2-door panel van |
Layout | FR layout |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2.3L GMH '138' I6 |
Transmission | 3-speed manual[1] |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 105.0 inches (2667 mm)[1] |
Length | 181.5 inches (4610 mm)[1] |
Width | 67.0 inches (1703 mm)[1] |
Height | 60.0 inches (1521 mm)[1] |
Curb weight | Standard Sedan: 2473 lb (1122 kg)[1] |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Holden FC |
Successor | Holden 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
[edit]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]
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Holden Standard Sedan
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Holden Standard Station Sedan
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Holden Special Sedan
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Holden Special Station Sedan
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Holden Utility
-
Holden Utility
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Holden Panel Van
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Holden Panel Van
Changes
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]After a production run of 147,747 vehicles,[1] the FB was replaced by the Holden EK series in May 1961.[7]
References
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ a b c d e f g h Holden FB Specifications Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 October 2009
- ^ a b c d e Holden FB Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 October 2009
- ^ a b c d e ”Holden, Australia’s Own Car” (GMH sales brochure for Holden FB Sedans and Station Sedans)
- ^ a b c ”Holden, Australia’s Own Utility, Australia’s Own Panel Van” (GMH sales brochure for Holden FB Utility and Panel Van)
- ^ a b c d Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 78
- ^ a b Original Genuine GMH Factory Workshop Manual
- ^ Holden Heritage Part 1 Archived 24 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from media.gm.com on 15 October 2009
Further reading
[edit]- 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