The FE of July 1956 was the first new Holden body, and it changed a lot of parts at once: 12-volt electrics replaced 6, a one-piece curved windscreen replaced the two-piece, 13in wheels replaced 15in, recirculating-ball steering replaced worm-and-sector, a front anti-roll bar was added, and the clutch became hydraulic with hanging pedals and the cylinders on the firewall. The grey motor stayed at 132.5ci, now 70bhp, with 9in drums all round. The FE brought the first Holden wagon — the Station Sedan, from March 1957 — with the utility in February and the panel van in May. 155,161 were built.
The FC of May 1958 to January 1960 is a facelift on the same body. It has a new grille and trim, chrome fins on the rear guards, parking lights on every model, indicators in the front bumper on Specials, two-tone paint with a stainless side flash, and amber rear lenses on later cars; the utility and van got painted grille and headlamp rims. 191,724 were built. The FE was the first Holden assembled in New Zealand, by General Motors at Petone, from January 1957.
Holden FE & FC — specification & changes within the model
- FE — 1956 to 1958
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12 volt, one-piece curved windscreen, 13in wheels, recirculating-ball steering, hydraulic clutch, front anti-roll bar. Station Sedan from March 1957. 155,161 built.
- FC — 1958 to 1960
- Same body. New grille and trim, rear-guard fins, bumper indicators on Specials, two-tone paint. Amber rear lenses on later cars. 191,724 built.
- Engine
- 132.5ci grey motor — 70bhp FE, 72bhp FC.
- Brakes
- 9in hydraulic drums all round.
- Springs
- Rear leaves: four, five on the Business and (FC) station sedans.
- Model codes
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215 Standard sedan · 217 Business sedan · 219 Standard station sedan · 225 Special sedan · 229 Special station sedan · 235 Premier · 2104 panel van · 2106 utility.
- Body number
- Stamped on the inner guard. The prefix letter gives the Australian body plant.
- Earth polarity
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We cannot tell you for certain, and we will not guess. We could not find more than one source on the earth polarity for the FE or FC. One source gives 12 volt negative earth from the FE. Check the car before you order a coil, a regulator or a radio.
