Last updated on September 19, 2021
Today’s car is a 1953 Holden FJ Ute. it is finished in Skipper Blue with a matching color interior. The Holden (General Motors Australia)) FJ series is a range of motor vehicles which were produced in Australia between 1953 and 1956. I saw this car at Steve Beck’s Check Point Automotive located at 3906 Grand View Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90066.
It is powered by a 132.5 cu in, 2.2 liter, in-line 6 cylinder, engine producing 60 hp and transferring that power through a 3 speed manual transmission. Delivering that power to the rear wheels through 3.90 t0 1 rear end gear ratio. Hydraulics brakes all around. This outback runner is fully accessorized, Australian-style, with venetian blinds, windscreen visor, tonneau cover, and extended door mounted rear view mirrors. The original MSRP was $2,046.00., Australian. The total number of 1953 Holden FJ produced was 35,158.
On 20 October 2017, the last existing vehicle plant, located in Elizabeth AUS, was closed. On 17 February 2020, General Motors announced that the Holden brand would be retired by 2021
I love the look of the Australian UTEs not just Holdens. This is a great driver in very nice shape. I hope to see it around the SoCal Cars and Coffee circuit. Thanks for riding along. Frank
Peter is our “photographic observer” in Australia. This is from him. Frank your photo is the first Holden of it’s kind I have seen in the US and it is a nice surprise. The first Holden was designed , built and road tested in the US. before manufacturing in Australia and that is probably the reason for the prominent display of the “stars and stripes “in this picture.
