About Holden FE
In 1956, Holden replaced the rounded-shaped FJ lineup with a much more modern-looking FE model, which was produced for just two years but had a huge impact on the Australian market.
Australia was on its path to modernism when, in July 1956, the local brand Holden, owned by GM, launched the FE lineup. Its shape resembled the 1953 Opel Kapitan from Europe. However, the FE was penned by the Australian stylist Alf Paize under the direction of Glen Smith, who was appointed by GM to ensure the company’s design language. Soon, the 1956 Holden FE became a huge success, helping the automaker get a stunning 42.7% of the market share in 1957, up from 33.8% in the previous year. The FE was also revolutionary since it introduced the 12-volt electrical system instead of the six-volt one used on the previous FJ lineup.
At the front, the car sported a pair of round headlights surrounded by chromed rims. Below them, in the middle, the 1953 Holden FE had a broad grille with an egg-crate design, also boasting a chromed finish. Like most cars from that era, the vehicle had a metallic bumper placed lower, with vertical fins and a special metallic shape in the middle to house the license plate.
From its profile, there were numerous details that resembled either the Opel Kapitan or the 1955 Chevrolet 210 Series. While the front doors resembled the former, the shoulder dip on the rear doors was from the former. Despite the longer wheelbase than its European cousin, the 1956 Holden FE was tested around Australia, featuring a bodywork that resembled the Kapitan. However, the car lacked the tall fins on the rear quarter panels, which were specific for American vehicles from that era. Holden produced the FE in a few body versions, including a station wagon, a pickup, and a panel van. An FE Wagon was the one that marked the carmaker’s millionth vehicle in 1957. Regardless of the shape, all versions sported the same crest-like taillights, with red lenses for the 1956 model year, while in the following year, the automaker switched to orange ones.
Depending on the grade, the car had a luxurious or a mundane interior. Fronting the driver was a round speedometer installed in a round cluster. For the Special Sedan grade, a radio with horizontal slats, aka “dust collector,” adorned the middle section of the two-tone dashboard. Customers could choose between a pair of bucket seats or a bench at the front, while in the back, the bench seat was standard. The vinyl upholstery could be ordered in various colors.
Under its skin, the 1956 Holden FE had a longer wheelbase than its predecessor and was motivated by a fresh inline-six engine. The automaker paired it with a three-speed manual gearbox with a steering column shifter, which helped vehicles featuring bench seats up front to carry up to six people onboard.