When I started writing this post I thought the picture showed me standing in front of an EH Holden, aged 1, in 1968. After looking at some photos online however, I think it may be an EJ Holden.
Unique Cars and Parts says: “Produced between 1961 and 1963, the EJ was the first of a bold new shape for the Holden. Gone were the fins of the previous EK model, and a new flat boot and lower roofline was created to keep pace with the more modern looking Ford Falcons.
“The EJ was designed from the Opel Kapitan, but incorporated some American influence, particularly in regard to consideration of aerodynamics. The trusty grey motor was carried over from the previous model, albeit with a few refinements.”
The EJ was introduced in 1962 and according to Wikipedia, the EH Holden was released in 1963, four years before I was born.
A total of 256,959 EH Holdens were produced and sold from 1963 to 1965, when the EH was replaced by the Holden HD series.
According to this website, many people consider the EH model to be Holden’s greatest achievement.
Apparently, selling more than 250,000 in the first 18 months of its release made it the fastest selling Australian car ever.
A far more substantial facelift of the EJ than those that had been attempted before, the “EH” featured a far more commanding look with a revised roofline and clever styling which, to most eyes, improved its looks from every angle. And the improvements were not limited to the exterior of the car. The biggest news with the new model was in the introduction of the new “Red” motor that used an oversquare design with a seven bearing crankshaft.
Being so young at the time, I don’t remember anything about these cars.
I do recall that some vehicles in the 1960s could be started without a key. The driver simply had to turn a silver-colored ignition knob.
It’s etched in my mind; I achieved this feat aged three or four and crashed into the garage.
