Introduced
at the beginning of a decade marked by world-changing events
and massive social dislocation, the FB Holden came to
symbolise a more international focus for Australia’s most
popular car manufacturer. At the time of the FB’s launch in
January 1960, man was still to set foot on the moon, the
Berlin Wall had not been built and the Vietnam War was yet to
touch the lives of Australians.
The fifties had brought about a huge infusion of American
influence as the nation rocked to Elvis and watched I Love Lucy,
Perry Mason and Bonanza on television. Men sported lavishly oiled
hair and sideburns for the de rigeur ‘Teddyboy’ look while women
jived in bobbysocks and pleated short skirts. The FB Holden, with
its all-new body, reflected the popularity of all things American,
integrating elements of US design into a more muted Australian
style.
Featuring a new wraparound windscreen, prominent chrome
detailing, large rear fins and two-tone acrylic paintwork, the FB
Holden quickly evoked comparisons with the famous ‘57 Chevrolet
range. The FB was bigger than its FC predecessor and offered
Australian families a more efficient interior layout, finished with
an ornate new dashboard design, and a larger boot.
Mechanically the FB was a further refinement of the FC, making
use of a more powerful ‘Grey’ engine (named for the colour of the
engine block). The six-cylinder unit was bored a further 1/16 inch
for a 2.26 litre capacity, producing an increased 56kW (75bhp).
Compression ratio was boosted to 7.25:1. However, due to the car’s
longer and heavier characteristics, performance remained relatively
unchanged. The FB Holden also incorporated a number of minor
changes including improved brakes, suspension and a new ventilation
system with fully drained plenum chamber.
The arrival of the FB came at a time when General Motors Holden
was in the strongest sales position it had ever enjoyed. The
halcyon days continued with the new model accounting for just under
50 per cent of the new car market. Holden was still Australia’s
favoured car in which to drive to the beach, kids in the back,
windows down, cricket on the radio; an essential element of the
Australian cultural landscape. Particularly successful was the FB
wagon variant, called the Station Sedan. In an era of growing
middle-class suburban affluence, the wagon was seen not just as a
workhorse but as a fashionable purchase; its blend of sedan-like
accommodation and van-like carrying ability appealing to many
families. This utilitarian popularity saw FB Station Sedans account
for 34 per cent of Holden sales and led to the introduction of
wagon models by almost every competitor. Featuring the same rear
doors as its Standard sedan sibling, the Station sedan was endowed
with similarly curvaceous lines and a rakishly sloping roofline
that continued into the rear cargo area. The uniquely appointed
Special sedan and Special Station sedan joined the utility and
panel van commercials to complete the FB model line-up.
During its 16-month production run, the FB continued to hold the
measure of the market with total domestic sales of over 160,000.
The model was also significant in GMH’s ever-expanding export
market, with over 12,800 FBs destined for 25 overseas territories,
including the first ever left-hand-drive Holdens bound for
Hawaii.
- Year of Introduction: 1960
- Engine: 2.26 litre 6 cylinder
- Power: 56kW
- Transmission: 3 speed manual
- Performance: 0 - 100 km/h 20.8 seconds; Standing 400
metres 21.8 seconds
- Production: 174,747
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