The Holden 48-215 was not only the first mass produced car made in Australia but also the one on which the future success of the company was built. The beginnings of this iconic Australian car can be traced back to 1926 when the American company of General Motors established a car assembly plant in Australia.

In 1948 the commercial manufacture of the Holden car was begun with the first Holden 48-215 (popularly known as the FX) shown to the public on November the 29th 1948. Holden's domination of the locally built family car market, reflected in the slogan "Australia's Own Car", was checked only after the release in the early 1960s of serious competitors from rival United States based manufacturers Ford (with the Falcon) and Chrysler (with the Valiant).

These parts are from one of the Holden 48-215s produced between 1948 and 1953.

Geoff Barker, April 2008

References
Winser, Keith, 'Story of Australian Motoring; the Complete History of Motoring, from the First Horseless Carriages to our Cars of Today', Fortnightly Motor Manual, [Melbourne], 1955?
Goode, John, 'Smoke, Smell and Clatter; the Revolutionary Story of Motoring in Australia', Landsdowne Press, Melbourne, 1969

Holden parts, 'Holden 48/215', metal / plastic, made by General Motors Holden, Australia, 1948

Parts from a 48/215 model Holden including a steering wheel, horn button, bonnet mascot, instrument panel, hub cap and tail light.

Made: General Motors-Holden Automotive Ltd; Australia; 1948

B2421

1948