An exhibition coming soon

Rear Vision: The Holden Collection

State Library of South Australia

The stories that make us.

COMING SOON

Rear Vision: The Holden Collection Exhibition

Opening in February 2025, to coincide with the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Adelaide Fringe, this exhibition will be a must-see cultural experience.

Featuring original materials, rare documents, and contributions from former employees, the exhibition offers a unique glimpse into the rise and fall of a beloved Australian institution.

Get a sneak peek into the excitement of our upcoming exhibition with this short teaser of Rear Vision:The Holden Collection.

This exhibition will be a collaboration with our partners at the Holden Manufacturing Heritage Association and The University of Adelaide's 'Social Histories of Holden project’.

Get ready to hit the road, sign up for our e-news and follow us on social media to stay updated on all the latest news about the exhibition. Buckle up—you won’t want to miss this ride!

*The driving force in Australian history*. A poster produced by GMH in 1982 featuring Holden models from 1948 to 1982. Also depicted are car bodies manufactured by Holden Motor Body Builders for overseas manufacturers before 1948.

*The driving force in Australian history*. A poster produced by GMH in 1982 featuring Holden models from 1948 to 1982. Also depicted are car bodies manufactured by Holden Motor Body Builders for overseas manufacturers before 1948.

THE HOLDEN ARCHIVE

Holden & the State Library

In 1991, the State Library of South Australia began what would become a long and proud association with General Motors Holden (GMH), when Holden started donating historic material to the library.

With the end of the Holden brand in Australia, the State Library became home to its archive, ensuring that this iconic brand’s memories and stories are kept alive for current and future generations to access and research.

The Holden Collection includes the archival records of GM Holden Ltd and Holden’s various iterations, including JA Holden & Co, Holden & Frost Limited, and Holden's Motor Body Builders Limited.

For 75 years Holden was operating in South Australia as its own entity, before becoming an official part of General Motors in 1931. The following car plans are the only ones in the Holden Collection at the State Library, with all the other plans being held in Victoria, Melbourne.

Sales brochure of the 1974 Holden HQ Sandman panel van. SLSA: BRG 213/41/5/4

Sales brochure of the 1974 Holden HQ Sandman panel van. SLSA: BRG 213/41/5/4

COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS

Holden 48-215 (FX)

Australia's first car

In the late 1930s, a bold dream was born, to create a car that was entirely Australian. However with the outbreak of World War II, those ambitious plans were placed on hold as GMH factories shifted their focus to the war effort.

Fast forward to 1943, and the dream was back on on the road. By 1944-45, designs and plans were in the works, with prototypes being built and tested in Detroit before making their way to the GMH headquarters at Fishermen's Bend, Victoria, in 1946.

The historic day arrived on 29 November 1948. GMH launched the 48-215, popularly known as the FX, at Fishermen's Bend. Celebrations followed in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

The name 'Holden' was chosen to honour Edward W. Holden and William A. Holden, who were pioneers of motor body building in South Australia.

The Holden 48-215, with its roomy interior seating five to six passengers, boasted a 2.15-litre six-cylinder engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Quickly becoming Australia's iconic family sedan.

By 1950, the 48-215 was Australia's favourite ride, with 19,203 sold, capturing 14 percent of the market. Between 1948 and 1953, the 48-215 model range expanded to include the standard sedan, the business sedan and the versatile utility, cementing Holden's place in Australian automotive history.

Holden 48-215 freshly polished in a garage.

A freshly polished Holden 48-215 awaiting its owner's return.

EH Holden

Moving with the times

Released in August 1963 the EH Holden was the fastest selling Australian car ever, with more than 250,000 being sold in 18 months. A facelift of the EJ, it also had a new six cylinder engine available ('red engine') in 149ci and 179ci. Two competition models were released - the high performance S4 (only 120 produced) which came second at Bathurst in 1963, and S22. The EH was generally available in eight models - standard sedan and station wagon, Special sedan and station wagon, Premier sedan and wagon, utility and panel van.

The car plans below are the only ones in the Holden Collection at the State Library, with all the other plans being held at General Motors in Melbourne.

Cover of a sales brochure for the EH Holden

Cover of a sales brochure for the EH Holden

Monaro

Holden's command performers

Manufactured for the first time in 1968 until 1977, the Holden Monaro, known as one of Australia's muscle cars, with its two-door coupe design and powerful engine quickly became a favourite of car enthusiasts.

These pages from a brochure advertising the features of the HG Monaro range, GTS 350, GTS and the Monaro.

A new Monaro would later be manufactured as a sports car from 2001 to 2006.

Sales brochure for the Holden Monaro.

Sales brochure for the Holden Monaro.

MORE THAN CARS

Working in record time

Filmed in 1926, this fascinating footage captures a large team of workers assembling a Chevrolet Superior V in just 16 minutes and 55 seconds at the Birkenhead General Motors plant - all under the watchful eyes of interested car dealers.

The General Motors Hour - radio show

During the 1950s The General Motors Hour blazed a new path in radio listening, "for the better entertainment of Australia.”

Well-known actors of the day, including Queenie Ashton, Ruth Cracknell and Roger Climpson, and famed Adelaide radio producers Harry Dearth and Ken Chinner recorded radio plays, some of which are held in the State Library’s collection.

Moonshine was broadcast in 1956. SLSA: BRG 213/112

Holdin' You In My Holden

Produced by General Motors-Holden, the release of this song coincided with the arrival of the FC Holden in 1956.

The music was written by Don Bennet, lyrics by Norma Hall. Performed by Lou Toppano and his Orchestra, featuring the voice of Joan Clarke. SLSA: ZR 1157

Download the audio file.