60th Anniversary Review: 1948 Holden 48-215 vs 2008 Holden Commodore

[chinamonty]

My brother had a couple of humpies. They were good honest vehicles of the day but he always wanted dad's cars an Aniversary Customline and then a Chrysler royal (Australias followed the Canadian ones I believe. The "rust and slime" was an ex police veichle and went like a cut cat. It was police chalk blue with darker blue on the roof and the rear mudguard.

[Joe88]

I think the FX (yes yes it was originally called that) is one of the coolest holdens ever, the FJ often gets picked over it, but it just wasn't the first like the FX. I suppose the Effex doesn't sound as cool as Effijy... oh well. Oh and thanks Buick it was your finest work.......

[nota]

Originally Posted by Joe88

I think the FX (yes yes it was originally called that) is one of the coolest holdens ever, the FJ often gets picked over it, but it just wasn't the first like the FX.

Debut model was the 48/215 later followed by the FX which became Holden's first 'Series II' update I guess, then the FJ with its simplified toothy grille. From memory the earlier bladed grille comprised about 11 unique BAS segments which drove the parts guys bonkers

Like many others my first car was an old FJ, a paddock basher bought for $4. Humpys with their monocoque 'Aerobuilt' bodies were light and fast enough in their day, able to keep the big cars honest. In 1953 an Oz-entered FX surprised many by proving very competitive in the famed Monte Carlo Rally. There was a massive amount of aftermarket hot-up parts available for early Holdens and they could be modified to go crazy fast, for example (Ron) 'Harrops Howler' 6-cyl FJ drag car which for some time in the 70's was the quickest stock bodied 4 door in the world



The old style aftermarket gear for the original 132 & 138 cid OHV 'Grey' six even included two types of twin-cam crossflow head conversions - from either Merv Waggott or the less expensive Repco 'High Power'. The former of which IIRC doubled the stock hp, at least, with the Geogehan's Bathurst-winning 'aero' Waggott (below) towards 200 hp in the 1950s and timed mph of upper 130s?



My 2 pics of a great early model Holden. Its engine is enlarged to 2500cc and also sports the rare Waggott DOHC

[mikmak]

Great post nota.

[Dr Terry]

Hi Guys.

The 'when did the FX first get its name' debate could go on for weeks. There are many theories, a few with documentary evidence. But I'm not going there.

nota said "The old style aftermarket gear for the original 132 & 138 cid OHV 'Grey' six even included two types of twin-cam crossflow head conversions - from either Merv Waggott or the less expensive Repco 'High Power'."

The Phil Irving designed Repco 'Hi Power' head was not twin OHC. It was cross-flow, but still OHV & if memory serves me, used the same rocker gear as his Vincent HRD motorcycle head.

Dr Terry.

[mmciau]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

Hi Guys.

The 'when did the FX first get its name' debate could go on for weeks. There are many theories, a few with documentary evidence. But I'm not going there.

nota said "The old style aftermarket gear for the original 132 & 138 cid OHV 'Grey' six even included two types of twin-cam crossflow head conversions - from either Merv Waggott or the less expensive Repco 'High Power'."

The Phil Irving designed Repco 'Hi Power' head was not twin OHC. It was cross-flow, but still OHV & if memory serves me, used the same rocker gear as his Vincent HRD motorcycle head.

Dr Terry.

Correct about the Repco Head.

And the 48/215 - the 215 represented the original 2150cc grey engine and that was the 138ci was after they put the 'bore bar" through later blocks - FB???

Mike

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by mmciau

Correct about the Repco Head.

And the 48/215 - the 215 represented the original 2150cc grey engine and that was the 138ci was after they put the 'bore bar" through later blocks - FB???

Mike

Hi Mike.

No, not to my understanding.

The 215 was GM model code for 4-door 'Standard' sedan. The FX Ute was a 50/2106 where 2106 was the GM model code for a ute. 2104 was a panel van, 225 Special sedan & so on.

The 132.5 ci Grey 6-cyl was actually 2171 cc & the 138 ci (FB to EJ) was 2262 cc.

Dr Terry

[mmciau]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

Hi Mike.

No, not to my understanding.

The 215 was GM model code for 4-door 'Standard' sedan. The FX Ute was a 50/2106 where 2106 was the GM model code for a ute. 2104 was a panel van, 225 Special sedan & so on.

The 132.5 ci Grey 6-cyl was actually 2171 cc & the 138 ci (FB to EJ) was 2262 cc.

Dr Terry

Understood

Mike