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Originally Posted by MonaroSS
Holden’s Pre WWII History
Just thought some people may like to see a little rare Holden History before the All Australian Holden FX was made after World War II.
Most people who know Holden realize that it’s first All Australian car was the FX released in 1948 after the Federal Government called for such a home grown product in 1945 at the close of war.
But most people don’t know what happened before that. Here is the official timeline issued by Holden up until the FX release in 1948
1934 • Produces first coupe-utility
1942 • First Australian company to mass-produce internal combustion engines including Gypsy Major aeroplane, Gray Marine, and a 4-cylinder radial torpedo
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Another good writeup MonaroSS
May I add comments & opinion?
GM-H's 'all Australian Holden FX' the 48-215 was the first
mass produced AU car but by no means our first car, as 1903 Tarrant was approx 90% local content, eg. Also, internal combustion engines were in volume production here well before 1942 - think agricultural use etc
Holden in its official timeline seems to be oblivious of its own history, as shown by this 1929 coupé utility I've previously posted on GMI
HERE
(Please credit Restored Cars magazine Aust)
GMNA's actions in Australia were not one of unmitigated benevolence, or of encouragement towards an all-Oz car. Instead they wished to close down Holden's bodybuilding operations and import bodies from the US
A small sample of Detroit's attitude & perception of Holden:
"Australian body builders performed amazing engineering and design feats. Despite low production numbers, they were able to provide the tooling required for annual American model changes. They were also able to produce unique models, such as the Utility. One example of Australian engineering ability occurred in 1937 when General Motors considered introducing all steel bodies to their range of Australian cars. In GM’s opinion, Australian manufacturers did not have the technology or expertise necessary to produce all steel bodies, and suggested that Holden import fully assembled vehicles. In fact, Holden had been producing all steel Chrysler and Plymouth bodies in Australia since 1935. "
This page
HERE provides another brief viewpoint of Holden history
Many consider it highly unfortunate that Ford's bid for a postwar AU car was not chosen, as their offer was more towards our national interest imo. GMNA showed itself to have little desire of producing a uniquely Australian car - or even financing the venture. If not for the nationalistic efforts from GM-H MD Laurie Hartnett and others (plus copious amounts of AU Govt cash) the Holden car might not have eventuated. GM's subsequent treatment of Hartnett (the 'father of the Holden') was no less than shameful. Eventually we got lumbered with a locally built version of an outdated GMNA prewar reject, the 195-Y-15 Chev Cadet
what might have been, Holden's locally designed Project 2000 proto from WWII, rejected by GMNA