ge5341664634978701110
ge4935621296330677964
ge4671987342994155880
ge5599418498773280020
ge5724457189696610031
Matt Brogan9 May 2015
REVIEW

Holden: The first and last

As the local production of 'Australia's Own Car' nears its end, the crew at motoring.com.au decided it was time to take a look back at where it all started

Holden 48-215 and Commodore SS V-Series Redline

Fans of the red lion brand will be acutely aware of the impending cessation of local production at the Elizabeth (SA) plant. From 2017, this cornerstone of the Australian automotive scene will look markedly different as Holden moves full-circle to again become an import-only player.

We say 'again' because from 1908 to 1948, Holden was essentially an assembly operation producing American and British vehicles, mostly from completely knocked-down kits. And while (from 2017) Holden won't again weld another production vehicle together on Aussie soil, it will continue to offer cars wearing the roaring lion badge, albeit sourced from South Korea, Thailand, Europe and possibly America.

But we're not here to lament GM's decision or to wallow in what could have been. We're here to take a look back at where it all began with a journey to the late 1940s, and the birth of Australia's Own Car.

She's a beaut
The 48-215, as it's correctly known (it was later dubbed the 'FX'), was originally conceived as a small Chevrolet, but rejected at the time on the grounds it was too small for the American market.

Towards the end of World War 2 the Australian government invited car companies to build an indigenous design for local consumers. The government anticipated such a car would be powered by a four-cylinder engine, but GM convinced the pollies and bureaucrats that the car should have a six-cylinder under the bonnet.

GM (and others) had considered a move to the local manufacture of vehicles before the war, and with peace and (relative) prosperity came the confidence – and government funding – to invest in a car of our own.

Added impetus for an indigenous Aussie car came from the fact that many Australian buyers felt that cars developed overseas weren't up to the job of withstanding our punishing roads, many of which were unsealed. Buyers in (then) economically crucial rural areas were a primary focus, and Holden knew that a car built to comfortably and reliably transport country folk (just look at the rise of the 50-2106 utility from 1951) was as important as a confident and stylish model was to city folk.

Working off the established Chev plans a small team of local engineers created the first prototype of the 48-215 in less than three years. It took another six months to get the model into full-time production, and by November 1948 Australia had its first taste of the mid-size sedan that would come to be, simply, the Holden.

The rise of an empire
The popularity of the 48-215 proved a boon for Holden. By the time the model was updated in 1953 more than 120,000 examples had been built by more than 10,000 employees at six manufacturing plants around the country.

Considering Australia had a population of less than eight million people in the late 1940s – and that many of them were in no position to afford a car – the number of Holdens built and sold is testament to Australian's desire to own a car built just for them.

At the time the average Australian wage was around $15 a week, with the 48-215 costing the equivalent of $1466. Considering the price – and an 18-month wait list – it's impressive to think that the Australia population moved from a 'pre-Holden' vehicle ownership rate of one-in-eight to one-in-four by 1953.

In response, Holden upped production to around 200 vehicles per day.

It's an intriguing footnote that Holden held 50 per cent of the market by 1964. The market changed from the mid 1960s as British, European and Japanese competition hotted up; and by the mid 70s Holden's share of the new car market had fallen to just 35 per cent.

Some say that by the early 80s GMH was strongly considering withdrawing from Australia entirely as the smaller and less popular Commodore (first introduced in 1978) saw sales plummet. Eventually, however, the Commodore won back Holden loyalists and went on to earn its manufacturer a 35-year stay of execution.

The power of one
In the 1950s Holden was essentially a one trick pony. With one driveline and little in the way of features or personalisation its only real point of difference came from a pair of bodystyles – sedan and ute (the panel van didn't surface until after the FJ was launched). Yet for its simplicity the 48-215 fit the demands of Australian buyers to a tee.

City and country buyers alike came to appreciate a vehicle that was practical, adaptable and most of all dependable – and this in spite of the model being a little outmoded in respect of vehicles available elsewhere, particularly those from the United States. Nevertheless, Australian buyers were undeterred and the success of the humble 'Humpy' continued unabated.

What's often forgotten in the 21st Century is that the original Holden was considered luxurious yet affordable – in a period when most cars weren't. The Holden offered effective dust sealing, as one example of a little luxury we take for granted now.

Power came from a 2.15-litre six-cylinder 'grey' engine (which went on to power all Holden models until 1963) producing just 45kW and 135Nm. Drive was to the rear wheels via a three-speed column-shift manual transmission and convenience features included little more than a handful of gauges, vacuum-operated wipers and a pair of bench seats – though you could option an AM radio if you had the means.

The electrical system was six-volt and the brakes were 229mm drums all-round. The suspension too was basic, yet capable, using a twin-arm independent coil arrangement at the front and a leaf-sprung Hotchkiss Drive rear-end.

As we said, the technology was uncomplicated. There were headlights with a floor-mounted dip switch and the tail-light was switched from outside. To its credit, however, the 48-215 did feature an all-steel 'Aerobilt' monocoque body at a time when many cars retained a body-on-frame design.

Holden promoted the 48-215 as fast and quiet with 'terrific' acceleration and fuel economy... And for the time that was probably true. It took 19 seconds to hit 100km/h, and had a top speed of 129km/h. Though with a 48km/h speed limit in built-up areas, and a prima facia (or discretionary) speed limit applicable up to 80km/h in rural areas, being 'fast' wasn't exactly a feat that escaped a car weighing just more than a tonne.

Capable of seating up to six adults on two bench seats (both without seatbelts) the 48-215 even came to host its own range of luggage, shaped perfectly to maximise the boot space available. The boot carried a full size spare wheel (of course), matching the skinny 15-inch demountable disc wheels shod with skinny four-ply tyres.

In its original brochure, Holden publicised the 48-215 as having a fuel economy figure of 6.3L/100km at a steady 56km/h. It's what we'd call an 'extra urban' fuel consumption figure in today's language, and one that still beats today's 3.0-litre six-cylinder Holden Commodore Evoke sedan by 0.2L/100km – albeit at a much slower speed.

From foundation to the finale
Today's Holden would have been the work of science fiction – or maybe even witchcraft – in 1948. In fact we doubt any of the engineers responsible for the 48-215 could have even dreamt of the technology now standard in the VF Commodore.

You've only got to look at the sleek, aerodynamic design or feel the differences in materials both inside and out to realise how far Australia's Own Car has come. Couple this with world-class levels of technology and safety and it's fair to say that, in relative terms, today's Holden is probably a more advanced vehicle in view of its rivals than the 48-215 (or indeed nearly all of its successors until 1964) was during its tenure.

The modern Holden's power and road-holding would have been revolutionary at the time of the 48-215.

The SS V-Series Redline variant shown here boasts almost triple the engine capacity of the 48-215, is six-times more powerful and has double the number of forward gears. It can hit 100km/h three-and-a-half times faster (at just 5.4 seconds) and will top-out at a rate more than double that of the 48-215.

But for all the positives it weighs nearly twice as much (1777kg), and is barely half as fuel efficient (11.8L/100km ADR Combined).

Myriad technology and driver assistance aids, safety features never thought possible in 1948 (remember, the 48-215 didn't even have seatbelts!) along with guidance and infotainment features unheard of until even a decade ago make today's Holden sedan truly world-class; dare we say more so now than at any time in the brand's 67-year history.

New beginnings...
The VF-series Commodore is essentially the last in a long line of family-sized Holden models spanning more than a dozen platform iterations and over 60 different model series – each leaving an indelible mark on the millions of Aussie families who've had one in the driveway.

But as good as the latest Commodore is, we know it's not long for this world. From 2017 Holden will move full-circle to again become a full-importer, selling cars sourced across the globe in its local showrooms. It's a big step for the proud Australian brand, and one Holden's managing director, Jeff Rolfs, says will be handled with the greatest respect and support of its loyal customers.

"Holden and GM remain 100 per cent committed to Australia and our customers. Holden is an icon in this country, one of Australia's great companies and we're going to honour that legacy by building a bright and sustainable future," Rolfs enthused.

"In the last 12 months alone we've made several major announcements that speak to the commitment and longevity of Holden in Australia. From launching Australia's biggest lifetime capped-price servicing program covering every Holden ever built, to retaining our world-class design studios and proving ground.

"We're supporting grassroots sporting clubs through our $5 million dollar, ten-year Homeground Advantage Program, and let's not forget the recent announcements that the esteemed Commodore nameplate will live on for our next-generation large car, and that Holden will launch 24 major models over the next five years.

"Holden is here to stay and win."

1952 Holden 48-215 pricing and specifications:
Price:
$1466 (when new)
Engine: 2.1-litre six-cylinder petrol
Output: 45kW/135Nm
Transmission: Three-speed manual
Fuel: 6.3L/100km (approx.)
CO2: 145g/km (approx.)
Safety Rating: N/A

2015 Holden Commodore SS V-Series Redline pricing and specifications:
Price:
$52,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 6.0-litre eight-cylinder petrol
Output: 270kW/530Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 11.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 281g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Share this article
Written byMatt Brogan
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Looking for a family car?Get the latest advice and reviews on family car that's right for you.
Explore the Family Hub
Family
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.

If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.