Don Loffler releases ‘Holden FX and FJ Handbook’
Don Loffler, the prolific author of early Holden history, has a new book that will be an invaluable research resource for existing and prospective owners of FX (48-215) and FJ Holdens.
As the subtitle - Information for the enthusiast - makes clear, the Holden FX and FJ Handbook is packed with data to help identify the original build specification and factory features of FX and FJ Holden vehicles. Data covers sedans and their variants, like the Business Sedan and Taxi, plus the utes and panel vans across both series.
Split into two sections – for FX and FJ – the book’s subsections take the reader on a deep dive into details, like how to identify and decode body identification plates (aka VIN tags), engine numbers and (FX) wheel types, as well as minutiae like window glass date codes and steering box numbers.
From there, paint colours are covered in more detail, with photos (either an actual car or paint chip) of each, as well as identification and colour images of trim options in leather, cloth and vinyl that were available in period.
Fascinating addenda to the paint section includes photos of where the colour was written in crayon on the vehicle’s firewall prior to painting, showing that the build of these early Holdens was still very much a hands-on process.
Loffler also details running changes that were made throughout each model’s production lifespan, like the relocation of rear door locks on the FX sedans, and changes to the tail lights on FJ utes and panel vans. Some of these changes are illustrated with ‘before and after’ photos, too.
Finally, this book explains colours, fittings and deleted (or additional) equipment that defined FX and FJ vehicles built for government fleets. These include the canvas canopies and jerrycan holders added to Australian Army FX utes, cabin dividers for Department of Works FJ vans, single-door versions of PMG FJ postal vans, and the unique colours for these fleet vehicles that were unavailable to the general public.
If you’re a newcomer to early Holdens, restoring an FX/FJ, or looking to identify the bona fides of a vehicle you’re intending to buy, this book will be an invaluable resource. As important as the identifying data in this comprehensive 224-page hardcover are the hundreds of colour photographs that provide examples of paint and trim colours, running changes and VIN tags that are being described.
Holden FX and FJ Handbook: Information for the Enthusiast is written by Don Loffler and published by Wakefield Press.
$69.95 RRP from selected general bookstores, specialist motoring booksellers and the Wakefield Press online store.
ISBN: 9781923042759
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