Holden 48-215
The first production Holden gave postwar Australia a sturdy family car designed to be built locally and travel long distances on rough roads.
1948 Holden 48-215 (FX) sedan · sv1ambo · CC BY 2.0
Research pending
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More than a set of wheels.
Prime Minister Ben Chifley launched the 48-215 at General Motors-Holden's Fishermans Bend plant on November 29, 1948. It was sold simply as the Holden; the popular ‘FX’ nickname arrived later and was never the original model name.
Look a little closer.
The model code joined its launch year, 48, to the engine's approximate 2.15-litre size—so the name itself was a tiny specification sheet.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
A national project, not just a new badge
Australian and American engineers developed the car, and three hand-built Detroit prototypes were tested in Australia before local production. The Fishermans Bend launch made the sedan a symbol of postwar manufacturing ambition.
Source: National Museum of Australia · Holden launch ↗Simple engineering for a very large country
The separate chassis, coil-sprung independent front suspension, leaf-sprung live rear axle and hydraulic drum brakes were conventional, repairable choices. A six-seat cabin and roughly nine litres per 100 km museum-recorded consumption made it practical family transport rather than a tiny economy special.
Source: Powerhouse Collection · Holden 48-215 Standard Sedan ↗Where these facts come from
- National Museum of Australia · Holden launch
- Powerhouse Collection · Holden 48-215 Standard Sedan
- National Archives of Australia · Ben Chifley launches the first Holden
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.