Good Old Holden

When the GM-sired Holden was first introduced in 1948 as “Australia’s Own Car”, it was an affordable affair for almost everyone’s budget. The design - supposedly the refinement of a Chevrolet study for a post-war American sedan - soon became known as the “FX”; in 1953, the FJ “Special” sedan appeared - and brought out luxury items not usually seen on “Utes” and autos Down Under.

Recently released from Top Gear (a division of TRAX in Australia), this replica of the 1953 FJ Holden Special Sedan is sold as the “rare optioned edition”. It’s a part of the company’s “Superscale” line, and comes flawlessly painted in Glamour Red. Clean casting and tight shut lines are the order of the day. The doors, trunk and hood open easily and close tightly, and they reveal a ton of detail. Tamped-on chrome trim surrounds all of the side windows, with the hard-trimmed windshield and backlight nestled down into the body beautifully. The vent windows in the front doors have simulated rubber weather-stripping laid in, and the driver’s door offers up a side window weather shield. Above the front windshield is an optional sun visor; under the door handles are chromed scratch guards to protect paint finishes. This is a well-trimmed boat; even the gas filler wears the optional “Filgaurd” attachment, to keep from messy fill-ups. 

Up front, the massive chromed grille is well executed, as is the perfectly poised hood ornament. The headlamps are separate units with clear lenses, and the boot opens to reveal a permanently mounted spare tire and trunk mat. They’ve even built in the fuel filler tube. All four tires are whitewalls, and they ride on upgraded wheels with thin chrome trim; this adds a classic look to the Holden dog dish style wheel caps. The doors open on a different style of dogleg hinge; these are low-slung and almost completely hidden. 

Inside, you’ll find more detail, (a la RHD), with red and white PVC replicated seat covers, an accurate dash panel, and the optional Air Chief AM radio. A trick detail is the set of Venetian blinds in the rear window. Under the bonnet is a simple, but well detailed 132 cube six-cylinder engine, replete with a six volt battery.  Mated to it is a 3-speed manual gearbox; overall, the area’s smartly wired and moderately plumbed, and the detail is very good.

Top Gear does not have a distributor in the United States, but they do sell direct. This is a sweet little model car, and well worth seeking out. - CRM

Top Gear 1953 Holden FJ sedan, item TRL-1E, edition of 4,000, approximately $148.00 USD. www.topgear.com/au.

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