The Holden FB series is a range of motor vehicles that was produced by General Motors-Holden's in Australia from 1960 to 1961.[1] Introduced on 14 January 1960,[2] the FB series replaced the Holden FC range.[1]
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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:
The Holden Business Sedan, which had been marketed as part of the FC range, was not carried over to the FB series.[1]
The FB was promoted as being longer, lower, more spacious and more powerful than the FC model although in reality it was only slightly so on each count.[5] Overall length was 5.5 inches (140 mm) greater whilst the wheelbase remained the same.[5] The engine was bored out by 1/16 of an inch to take the engine capacity to 138 cubic inches and the compression ratio was raised. However the resulting extra 4 brake horsepower (3.0 kW) of power did not compensate for the extra weight of the FB and performance was thus inferior to that of its predecessor.[1] Changes were also made to the brakes, front coil springs, air cleaner and clutch.[1]
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, these vehicles being destined for export markets.[1]
All FB models were powered by a 138 cubic inches (2,260 cc) inline six-cylinder engine, producing 75 brake horsepower (56 kW).[2]
After a production run of 147,747 vehicles,[2] the FB was replaced by the Holden EK series in May 1961.[6]
| List of Holden vehicles † HQ–WB Statesmans not marketed under the "Holden" brand, but rather the separate "Statesman" brand. |