Sixties Holdens are still a good drive today.
Holden’s EH series saw the wide adoption of the red motor – an inline six with seven main bearings on the crankshaft, at first in 149ci (2.4lt) form and later as a 179 (2.9lt).
You could get a three-speed column-shift manual (‘three on the tree’ with synchro on second and third) or the three speed Hydramatic on either motor, though the manual was eventually upgraded after the engine capacity was raised.
Sold from 1963 to 1965, some 256,959 are said to have been produced, in sedan, wagon, utility and panel van form.
The most valuable variant these days is the S4 Special, which were made as an homologation car for racing. It featured an upgraded gearbox and tailshaft and a bigger fuel tank. Only a handful survive in good condition. (See the story linked below.)
For many the top-of-the-range Premier, with its leather-trimmed bucket seats, auto transmission and metallic paint was the car to aspire to and, even today, it’s sold at a significant premium.
The non-synchro first gear on the manuals takes a little care, but overall these are still a fun car to drive, so long as you show a bit of regard for their advancing age. We got a chance to play with one recently and it felt like it would tackle a cross-country run with no problems.
That may be a challenge to anyone who picks up this car in WA and considers driving it across to the eastern states. Take a few basic spares and there’s probably no reason why it wouldn’t do it.
The ad indicates it’s a 179 manual with a few minor mods auch as wheels, inertia reel seatbelts up front, some extra guages and an aftermarket steering wheel. Said to have been with the same owner for 20 years, its price is $20,000.