1955 Holden FJ Special - Chiltern Cream ... (SOLD)

For sale is a rare and classic example of Australia's Own Car. A rotisserie restored Chiltern Cream FJ Holden running the matching numbers 132 cui 6 cylinder engine and 3 speed manual gearbox. On display at our Sydney Showroom.

The Holden FJ is certainly an iconic Australian motor car and was the vehicle of choice for most Australian families in the mid-1950s, many of whom were taking to the road for the very first time as motoring became affordable for the ordinary man in the street.

In the 1950s there wasn’t much choice for buyers of the FJ Holden. The sedan and ute were carried over from the 48 series, but the big news with the FJ was the ‘Special’, and a few months after the launch Holden added a panel van to the range for the first time.

Mechanically the Special wasn’t any different to the Standard FJ. It had the same package of six cylinder engine and three-speed column-shift manual gearbox, but there were plenty of comfort and convenience features to get excited about.

Deluxe leather replaced vinyl on the bench seats, there were arm rests on the front doors, the interior light came on when you opened the doors, there was a cigarette lighter, chrome surrounds around the gauges, the dash grille extended across to the glove box, the rear passengers had straps to hang on to as the FJ leaned over rounding corners, and knobs on the window winders and windscreen wiper switch were black with a nifty chrome insert.

A Special could be recognised from the outside by its chrome window trims, chrome belt line trim, the small fins mounted on the rear guards, and the Holden Special script badge on the boot lid. An attractive two-tone paint scheme was available for the first time.

FOR SALE is a rotisserie restored beautifully preserved FJ Holden Special. Originally built at the GMH Pagewood factory in Sydney in 1955, the FJ has been repainted in the factory Chiltern Cream while the two tone Cream and Etna Maroon leather trim is factory original apart from the reupholstered arm rests in the front door cards. Purchased by the current owner in 2008, the FJ underwent a full rebuild from 2008 until 2020. The owner's father, a retired metal fabricator and welder by trade repaired any rust. The floor pans were purchased from Rare Spares and all mechanical components were replaced either with new old stock parts or from the Rare Spares catalogue. Over 1,000 hours of work was logged in the restoration of the body of the FJ. The body was then painted at Gladesville Auto Body Repairs in 2020 at a cost of $28,000.

At the same time, the engine was completely rebuilt, bored 40 thou over with new pistons and cam. It has done less than 1,000 miles since the rebuild. The 2.15-litre overhead valve six-cylinder ‘grey’ motor was relatively torquey and when combined with its low gearing of the three-speed manual gearbox meant the 1,016 kg four-door was plenty quick off the mark. As roads in the day were pretty horrendous, the FJ’s low down pulling power and high ground clearance allowed it to go places some of today’s soft four-wheels drives would struggle to reach.

The gearbox, clutch and diff have been over hauled and the suspension bushes have been replaced, all bolts re-adonised and the rear leaf springs replaced with 6 leaf springs. In addition, the wheel cylinders and master cylinder have been re sleeved and two years ago the brakes were overhauled again. All floor coverings including the boot have been replaced with reproduction rubber matting.

The owner has fitted LED indicators at the front and rear with a NASCO indicator accessory. The underside of the FJ is in as new condition and is a testament to the expert restoration work carried out to this very special FJ.

The FJ rides on original Canadian steel 15" wheels with re-chromed and restored mint wheel caps. The tyres are Nankang radials. There is also a spare with jack, spanner and hub remover.

It is believed that fewer than 1,000 of the 169,000 FJs produced between October 1953 and July 1956 have survived. Finding one in such well preserved condition is rare and the cost to build one to this standard makes this Holden Special a great investment for the keen Holden collector.

The car is on current Club registration and is available for your immediate inspection in our Sydney Showroom. (Ref: 6453)

We are happy to arrange a video inspection of the car using WhatsApp. Please call for more details and note Enclosed Door to Door transport is available anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

Call Mike on 0414 278 604 or Nick on 0499 577 997 and let us assist you with your inquiries. Also please note if you have a quality Muscle or Classic car you wish to list or have valued please give us a call at AMCS, we will be happy to assist you.