Australian Cars Issue 49

COLLECT ALL THE LEGENDARY AUSTRALIAN CLASSIC CARS

Immerse yourself in the thrilling history of Australian automotive engineering with the Holden FB Special Sedan, a bold and confident statement of national pride from 1960 — and one of the fastest-selling Holdens ever to leave the showroom floor.

Introduced on 14 January 1960, the FB series replaced the Holden FC range and arrived with a dramatically new look that turned heads from the moment it appeared. The FB had serious fins, a wraparound windscreen for the first time, and strong styling DNA drawn from the 1957 Chevrolet — bold, wide, and unmistakably of its era. Without lengthening the wheelbase, Holden added 140mm to the FB's overall length — most of it devoted to fins and attention-seeking headlamp shrouds — while inside, welcome additions to shoulder room meant the front and rear bench seats could each comfortably accommodate three beefy Aussies. At the top of the two-trim range, the Special stood apart from the Standard with its own distinct character: the Special came with a cigarette lighter, two-tone seats, and an extensive sweep of stainless-steel trim that gave it a genuinely premium feel on any street in Australia. Mechanically, the engine capacity was increased from 132 to 138 cubic inches — 2.26 litres — thanks to a small overbore, and four-wheel drum brakes were retained but increased in size, keeping the FB's engineering honest and dependable. The sales numbers told an extraordinary story: initial demand saw early cars roll out of showrooms at a rate of 20,000 units a month, and within just 17 months, 147,747 had been made — a testament to how deeply the FB captured the imagination of a prosperous, optimistic Australia at the dawn of a new decade. Holden's market share stood at a remarkable 49.6 per cent in 1961, even as the Ford Falcon arrived to challenge it — the FB had already done its work.

This precise 1:43 scale replica captures the very essence of the Holden FB Special Sedan — a car whose sweeping fins, chrome flourishes, and wraparound screen made it the most exciting Holden Australians had ever seen.

The Holden FB Special Sedan is meticulously reproduced in high-quality die-cast metal, with details faithful to the original that capture its dramatic tail fins, signature stainless-steel Special trim, and wraparound windscreen. Rubber tires and swiveling wheels add a touch of realism to this beloved model.

Each piece comes accompanied by a captivating magazine filled with articles from that era, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of Australian automotive, sourced from the archives of the renowned publication Wheels.

Features:

• Faithfully reproduced model at 1:43 scale
• High-quality die-cast metal for exceptional durability
• Precise detailing for maximum authenticity — including the signature FB tail fins, wraparound windscreen, and Special stainless-steel trim sweep
• Rubber tires and swiveling wheels for heightened realism

Relive the dawn of a golden decade in Australian motoring with this iconic model. Add the Holden FB Special Sedan to your Australian Cars collection today!