Key Specifications

Spec	FJ (1953-1956)	FC (1958-1960)
Production Years	1953-1956	1958-1960
Manufacturer	General Motors-Holden's Ltd	General Motors-Holden's Ltd
Assembly	Fishermans Bend, Melbourne (sedan) / Woodville, Adelaide (ute & van)	Fishermans Bend / Dandenong / Woodville / Pagewood
Body Styles	Sedan, Utility, Panel Van	Sedan, Utility, Panel Van, Station Sedan
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Construction	Steel unibody (monocoque)	Steel unibody (monocoque)
Wheelbase	2,540 mm (100 in)	2,540 mm (100 in)
Overall Length	4,420 mm (174 in)	4,445 mm (175 in)
Overall Width	1,676 mm (66 in)	1,709 mm (67.3 in)
Overall Height	1,588 mm (62.5 in)	1,562 mm (61.5 in)
Kerb Weight	1,016 kg (2,240 lb) sedan	1,043 kg (2,299 lb) sedan
Fuel Tank Capacity	45 L (10 imp gal)	45 L (10 imp gal)
Boot Capacity	~340 L (sedan)	~380 L (sedan)
Seating Capacity	6 (3 front bench, 3 rear bench)	6 (3 front bench, 3 rear bench)

Engine Specifications

Grey Motor, FJ

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, sidevalve (flathead), 12-valve
Designation	132.5ci Grey Motor
Displacement	2,171 cc (132.5 ci)
Bore x Stroke	79.4 mm x 73.0 mm
Compression Ratio	6.5:1
Power	45 bhp (34 kW) @ 3,800 rpm
Torque	122 Nm (90 lb-ft) @ 1,800 rpm
Fuel System	Stromberg BXOV-2 single-barrel downdraft carburettor
Ignition	Coil and distributor, points and condenser
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron
Valve Train	Sidevalve (L-head), tappet-operated
Camshaft	Block-mounted, gear-driven
Cooling	Water-cooled, pressurised system, centrifugal pump
Lubrication	Gear-type oil pump, no oil filter (factory)
Oil Capacity	3.4 L (6 imp pints)
Recommended Oil	SAE 30 or 20W-50 mineral

Grey Motor, FC

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, sidevalve (flathead), 12-valve
Designation	138ci Grey Motor
Displacement	2,262 cc (138 ci)
Bore x Stroke	79.4 mm x 76.2 mm
Compression Ratio	6.8:1
Power	52 bhp (39 kW) @ 3,800 rpm
Torque	139 Nm (103 lb-ft) @ 2,000 rpm
Fuel System	Stromberg BXOV-2 single-barrel downdraft carburettor (revised)
Ignition	Coil and distributor, points and condenser
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron
Valve Train	Sidevalve (L-head), tappet-operated
Camshaft	Block-mounted, gear-driven
Cooling	Water-cooled, pressurised system, centrifugal pump
Lubrication	Gear-type oil pump, optional oil filter
Oil Capacity	3.4 L (6 imp pints)
Recommended Oil	SAE 30 or 20W-50 mineral

Transmission

Spec	FJ	FC
Standard Transmission	3-speed manual, column shift	3-speed manual, column shift
Optional Transmission	Borg-Warner overdrive	2-speed Powerglide automatic
Clutch	Single dry plate, mechanical actuation	Single dry plate, mechanical actuation
Gear Ratios (manual), 1st	2.94:1	2.94:1
Gear Ratios (manual), 2nd	1.68:1	1.68:1
Gear Ratios (manual), 3rd	1.00:1	1.00:1
Reverse	3.67:1	3.67:1

Differential

Spec	FJ	FC
Type	Banjo-style, semi-floating	Banjo-style, semi-floating
Final Drive Ratio	4.11:1 (standard)	4.11:1 (standard), 3.55:1 (auto)
LSD	Not available	Not available

Suspension

FJ

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, double wishbone	Live axle
Springs	Coil	Semi-elliptic leaf
Dampers	Lever-arm hydraulic	Lever-arm hydraulic
Anti-roll Bar	Not fitted	Not fitted
Steering Type	Recirculating ball, worm and nut	,
Steering Ratio	21:1	,
Turning Circle	11.3 m (37 ft)	,

FC

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, double wishbone (revised)	Live axle
Springs	Coil (wider-spaced)	Semi-elliptic leaf
Dampers	Telescopic hydraulic	Lever-arm hydraulic
Anti-roll Bar	Not fitted	Not fitted
Steering Type	Recirculating ball, worm and nut	,
Steering Ratio	21:1	,
Turning Circle	11.3 m (37 ft)	,

Brakes

Spec	FJ	FC
Front	Drum, 228 mm (9 in)	Drum, 228 mm (9 in)
Rear	Drum, 228 mm (9 in)	Drum, 228 mm (9 in)
Actuation	Hydraulic, single circuit	Hydraulic, single circuit
Power Assistance	None	None
Handbrake	Mechanical, rear drums	Mechanical, rear drums

Electrical

Spec	FJ	FC
System Voltage	6V positive earth	12V negative earth
Charging	Generator	Generator
Battery	6V, 57 Ah	12V, 40 Ah
Starter	6V, inertia-type	12V, pre-engaged
Headlamps	Sealed beam, 7 in	Sealed beam, 7 in

Model Variants

FJ (1953-1956)

Variant	Key Features
Standard Sedan	Bench seats, painted dashboard, minimal chrome, rubber floor
Special Sedan	Two-tone paint, chrome window surrounds, upgraded interior trim, dashboard clock, carpet
Business Sedan	Stripped commercial version, rubber floor, no rear seat trim
Utility	Sedan front with steel tray, bench seat, painted interior
Panel Van	Enclosed cargo body, single bench seat, painted interior

FC (1958-1960)

Variant	Key Features
Standard Sedan	Bench seats, basic trim, painted dashboard
Special Sedan	Two-tone paint, chrome, upgraded trim, dashboard clock, carpet, glovebox light
Utility	Steel tray, bench seat, painted interior
Panel Van	Enclosed cargo, single bench seat
Station Sedan	Wagon-style body, rear seats, cargo area with tailgate

Performance (approximate)

Model	0-100 km/h	Top Speed	Standing Quarter Mile
FJ Standard (manual)	~25 s	120 km/h (75 mph)	~23 s
FJ Special (manual)	~25 s	120 km/h (75 mph)	~23 s
FC Standard (manual)	~22 s	130 km/h (81 mph)	~22 s
FC Special (manual)	~22 s	130 km/h (81 mph)	~22 s
FC Special (Powerglide auto)	~26 s	125 km/h (78 mph)	~24 s

Fuel Economy (approximate)

Model	L/100 km	MPG (imperial)
FJ (manual, mixed)	12-15	19-24
FC (manual, mixed)	11-14	20-26
FC (auto, mixed)	13-16	18-22

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine oil change	3,000-5,000 km or 3 months
Valve tappet adjustment	5,000 km
Points and condenser	5,000-8,000 km
Spark plugs	8,000-10,000 km
Chassis lubrication (grease nipples)	3,000 km
Brake adjustment	5,000 km
Brake fluid check	3 months
Gearbox oil	10,000 km
Differential oil	10,000 km
Fan belt	Inspect at every service, replace if cracked
Cooling system	Flush and refill annually

Tyre Specifications

Model	Original Size	Common Modern Replacement
FJ	5.90-15 crossply	185/80R15 radial
FC	6.40-15 or 6.70-15 crossply	195/75R15 radial
Rim Size	15 x 4.5J	15 x 4.5J or 15 x 5J
Tyre Pressure (front)	24 psi (165 kPa)	28 psi (190 kPa) for radials
Tyre Pressure (rear)	24 psi (165 kPa)	28 psi (190 kPa) for radials

Capacities

Fluid	FJ	FC
Engine Oil	3.4 L	3.4 L
Gearbox Oil (manual)	0.85 L (SAE 80)	0.85 L (SAE 80)
Differential Oil	1.1 L (SAE 90)	1.1 L (SAE 90)
Cooling System	6.8 L	7.1 L
Fuel Tank	45 L	45 L
Brake Fluid	DOT 3, ~0.3 L total	DOT 3, ~0.3 L total

Dimensions, Utility and Panel Van

Spec	FJ Ute	FC Ute	FC Panel Van
Tray Length	1,829 mm (72 in)	1,829 mm (72 in)	,
Tray Width	1,397 mm (55 in)	1,422 mm (56 in)	,
Cargo Length (van)	,	,	1,829 mm (72 in)
Cargo Width (van)	,	,	1,422 mm (56 in)
Cargo Height (van)	,	,	940 mm (37 in)
Payload	450 kg (990 lb)	450 kg (990 lb)	450 kg (990 lb)

Production Numbers

Model	Production
FJ, All variants	~169,969
FJ Standard Sedan	~89,000
FJ Special Sedan	~54,000
FJ Utility	~18,000
FJ Panel Van	~9,000
FC, All variants	~148,718
FC Standard Sedan	~68,000
FC Special Sedan	~50,000
FC Utility	~18,000
FC Panel Van	~8,000
FC Station Sedan	~5,000

Paint Colours (FJ)

Colour	Code
Caulfield Green	,
Dover Grey	,
Nocturne Blue	,
Cardigan Maroon	,
Harvest Beige	,
Fowlers Bay Green	,
Dooen Grey	,
Two-tone combinations (Special only)	Various

Paint Colours (FC)

Colour	Code
India Ivory	,
Dooen Grey	,
Dorado Red	,
Dorado Maroon	,
Dorado Green	,
Dorado Blue	,
Two-tone combinations (Special only)	Various