The Holden EJ was produced in Australia from 1962 to 1963 and introduced in July 1962 as the replacement for the Holden EK. It was the last Holden to use the grey engine that had powered every model since the 48-215 of 1948, and it brought the first Holden Premier.
Holden EJ at a glance
| Maker | Holden, Australia |
|---|---|
| Production | 1962–1963 |
| Introduced | July 1962 |
| Replaced | Holden EK |
| Replaced by | Holden EH, August 1963 |
| Engine | 138 cu in (2,262 cc) grey inline six, 75 bhp (56 kW) |
| New model | Holden Premier, with leather and bucket seats |
| Gearbox | Hydra-matic three-speed standard on Premier, optional elsewhere |
| Sedans | Standard, Special and Premier |
| Wagons | Standard and Special Station Sedan |
| Added January 1963 | utility and panel van |
| Built | 154,811 |
History of the Holden EJ
A radical restyle
The styling of the EJ was a radical departure from the EK: a lower roofline, a flatter boot and no fins at all. Underneath, Holden improved the brakes, the front suspension and the Hydra-matic automatic transmission.
The first Premier
A new luxury model, the Holden Premier, made its debut in the EJ series. It had a leather interior, bucket seats, metallic paint, a heater and demister with a centre console, and arm rests on all four doors, and it came with the Hydra-matic three-speed automatic as standard equipment, an option on the other EJ models.
Seven models
On introduction the range consisted of four-door sedans in three trim levels and five-door station wagons in two trim levels: the Standard Sedan, Special Sedan, Premier Sedan, Standard Station Sedan and Special Station Sedan. A two-door coupé utility and a two-door panel van were added in January 1963, making seven models in all.
The end of the grey motor
All EJ models were powered by the 138-cubic-inch (2,262 cc) inline six producing 75 bhp (56 kW). Since the original 48-215 of 1948 Holdens had used what was commonly known as the grey motor, and the EJ was the last to have it; the final grey motor was made on 2 August 1963.
After a production run of 154,811 vehicles the EJ was replaced by the Holden EH in August 1963. The one-millionth Holden, an EJ Premier, was built on 26 October 1962. The car was also assembled in New Zealand by General Motors New Zealand and marketed in South Africa.
Design and features
- New shape: lower roof, flatter boot and no tail fins, a clean break from the EK.
- Premier debut: leather, bucket seats and a console with heater and demister.
- Hydra-matic: standard on the Premier and optional on the rest of the range.
- Last grey motor: the 138 cubic inch six ended a line that began in 1948.
- One-millionth Holden: an EJ Premier built in October 1962.
Holden EJ versions
- Standard Sedan and Station Sedan: the basic bodies.
- Special Sedan and Station Sedan: the mid-range trim.
- Premier Sedan: the new luxury model with automatic transmission.
- Utility and Panel Van: added in January 1963.
The EJ was replaced by the Holden EH and introduced the Holden Premier name. More cars are in the Holden collection.
Sources
- Holden EJ, English Wikipedia: styling, models, engine, production
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