In 1963 Holden took the bold step to challenge Ford Falcon with the Holden EH Special Sedan. Released to take on the Falcons made locally, GM-Holden produced it in Australia from 1963 to 1965. Replacing the Holden EJ series, the EH Special Sedan is one of the most collectable and favourites of the Holden range. It holds the title as one of the most popular Australian cars ever, selling over 250,000 units.
How did EH Holden and EJ Holden compare?
Let’s break down the sedan’s offering:
- Colour combination: saltbush green and white, with green interior and vinyl trim.
- Trim options: Standard, Special, and Premier.
- Wheels: Steel with drum brakes.
- Engine: 149ci six-cylinder
- Gearbox: three-speed automatic gearbox
It was priced at A$2102, the same as its previous sibling. The EH Holden, compared to the EJ, had a roofline that was more squared-off so looked more modern, and a grille. This gave it a modern edge which was soon referred to as ‘power swept styling’. It wasn’t a significant shift from the EJ it replaced, but there were groundbreaking changes beneath the bonnet.
Buyers took note, and Holden sold a couple of hundreds of thousands in the short year and a half that EH was in production. The most significant mechanical improvement was the ‘red engine’ (which referred to the shade the blocks were painted) which replaced Holden’s grey motor which had been around since 1948.
How did it match up? Available in a standard 149ci (2400cc) engine or 179ci option, the change made headlines for Holden. Buyers could also choose between a manual box (three-speed column-change) or a Hydramatic auto. Other changes that improved on the EJ Holden? The EH Holden featured a range of changes that gave more power and better fuel efficiency:
- A seven-bearing crankshaft compared to the previous four main bearing crankshaft
- hydraulic valve lifters
- new pistons
- a new head
- a stronger 149ci gearbox
- a new clutch
Today, the EH Holden holds a significant place in Holden history. It is highly collectible and more numerous and sought after these days than the EJ. Parts are fairly easy to come by and enthusiasts regularly modernise them to bring them up to current driving standards.
Collectible and classy: the EH
As much a hit today with collectors as it was with consumers in the 1960s, the Holden models included the following in the range – a total of nine options:
- Standard Sedan (plus station and special station)
The standard model had no side badging on the standard model. They were usually fitted with 149ci engines, with rubber floor mats and a single-tone finish. It was available in acrylic paint.
- Holden EH special
- S4 Special Sedan
The ‘special’ models had stainless moulding strips all round with special badges. Customers could choose paint jobs too. There was a two-tone option.
- Premier Sedan (plus station)
The most luxurious model, the Premier, had metallic paint, a 179ci engine, and hydramatic transmission. The leather interior and chrome-plated wheel trims made it a thing of beauty and added to the luxe comfort it peddled. A useful armrest in the back seat that could fold down, plus bucket seats, added to the experience, as did, a heater/demister, a radio (diamond dot), and a handbrake warning light. Carpets completed the levels of luxe.
- Utility
- Panel van
Meet the S4 Special
In late 1963, the ‘S4 Special’ was launched, conjured up as part of the racing approval process. Hence only 100 had to be made and sold to meet the criteria, but ultimately Holden pushed out six from Melbourne and 120 from the Sydney plant.
The S4 was based on the Special and featured the 179 engine and manual transmission. However, changes had to be made to toughen it up for racing needs. It had metal-lined brake shoes and a larger tail shaft, tougher gear and a 12-gallon fuel tank. The Holden EH S4 was the first Australian-designed car to be marketed as a performance model, for which it has secured its place in motoring history.
The EH still holds the record as the Holden that sold fastest to date. It’s still a very popular car and sought out by collectors, though values of the EJ have caught up to it in recent years.