Holden FB
| Holden FB | |
|---|---|
 Holden FB Special Sedan | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors-Holden's |
| Also called |
Holden Standard Holden Special Holden Utility Holden Panel Van |
| Production | January 1960 to May 1961 |
| 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 | 138 cu in (2.3 L) 6-cyl [1] |
| Transmission |
3 speed manual [1] 3 speed automatic [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 that was produced by General Motors-Holden's 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 FB Standard Sedan |
 Holden FB Standard Station Sedan |
 Holden FB Special Sedan |
 Holden FB Special Station Sedan |
 Holden FB Utility |
 Holden FB Panel Van |
Changes
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.[2] 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, these vehicles being destined for export markets.[2]
Engines
All FB models were powered by a 138 cubic inches (2,260 cc) inline six-cylinder engine, producing 75 brake horsepower (56 kW).[1]
Production and replacement
After a production run of 147,747 vehicles,[1] the FB was replaced by the Holden EK series in May 1961.[6]
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Holden FB. |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 Holden FB Specifications Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 October 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Holden FB Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 15 October 2009
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 ”Holden, Australia’s Own Car” (GMH sales brochure for Holden FB Sedans and Station Sedans)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 ”Holden, Australia’s Own Utility, Australia’s Own Panel Van” (GMH sales brochure for Holden FB Utility and Panel Van)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 78
- ↑ Holden Heritage Part 1 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
| Holden, a marque of General Motors, automobile timeline, 1948–present |
|---|
| List of Holden vehicles † HQ–WB Statesmans not marketed under the "Holden" brand, but rather the separate "Statesman" brand. |