The Holden EJ is a motor vehicle produced by General Motors-Holden's in Australia from 1962 to 1963.[1] Introduced in July 1962,[2] the EJ replaced the Holden EK series.[1]

Holden EJ
Holden Special Sedan
Overview
ManufacturerHolden (General Motors)
Also calledHolden Standard
Holden Special
Holden Premier
Holden Utility
Holden Panel Van
ProductionSedan & Station Sedan: July 1962 – August 1963
Utility & Panel Van: January–August 1963
DesignerAlf Payze, Stan Parker
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size
Body style4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
2-door coupé utility
2-door panel van
LayoutFR layout
RelatedOpel Kapitän[1]
Powertrain
Engine2.3L GMH '138' I6
Transmission3-speed manual
3-speed "Hydra-Matic" automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase105.0 inches (2667 mm)
Length176.9 inches (4493 mm)
Width68.0 inches (1727 mm)
Height58.0 inches (1473 mm)
Curb weightStandard Sedan: 2492lb (1130 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorHolden EK
SuccessorHolden EH

Overview edit

The styling of the EJ was a radical departure from that of the EK, with a lower roofline, a flatter boot and an absence of fins.[1] Improvements were made to the brakes, front suspension and the Hydra-matic automatic transmission.[1]

A new luxury model, the Holden Premier, made its debut in the EJ series, and featured leather interior, bucket seats, metallic paint, a heater/demister with centre console, and arm rests on all four doors.[1] It was fitted with Hydra-matic 3-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment,[1] which was optional on other EJ series models.[3][4]

Model range edit

On introduction, the EJ range consisted of four-door sedans in three trim levels and five-door station wagons in two trim levels.[3] A two-door coupe utility and a two-door panel van were added to the range in January 1963.[2] The seven models were marketed as follows:

Engines edit

All EJ models were powered by a 138-cubic-inch (2,262 cc) inline six-cylinder engine, producing 75 bhp (56 kW).[2] Since the introduction of the original Holden 48-215 model in 1948, Holdens had been fitted with what was commonly known as the grey motor. The EJ was the last Holden to be equipped with that engine.

Production and replacement edit

After a production run of 154,811 vehicles,[2] the EJ was replaced by the Holden EH series[5] in August 1963.[6] The 1,000,000th Holden, an EJ Premier, was produced on 26 October 1962.[1]

The EJ was also assembled in New Zealand by GMNZ,[7] and was marketed in South Africa as well.[8]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Holden EJ at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au
  2. ^ a b c d Holden EJ Technical Specifications Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 24 March 2010
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Holden EJ sales brochure
  4. ^ a b c Holden EJ sales brochure 130M of January 1963
  5. ^ Holden EH Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 24 March 2010
  6. ^ Holden EH Technical Specifications Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 24 March 2010
  7. ^ Webster, Mark (2002), Assembly: New Zealand Car Production 1921-98, Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand: Reed, p. 80c, ISBN 0-7900-0846-7
  8. ^ Wright, Cedric, ed. (August 1968). "A car owners' report: Holden (1960–66)". CAR (South Africa). Vol. 12, no. 7. Cape Town, South Africa: Central News Agency Ltd. p. 28.

Further reading edit

  • Norm Darwin, 100 Years of GM in Australia, 2002
  • Norm Darwin, The history of Holden since 1917, 1983
  • AC Bushby, The Holden collection: a nostalgic look at the first 30 years of Holden cars in Australia, 1988

External links edit