1951 Holden 48-215 – Reader Ride

By: Shaun Tanner, Photography by: Shaun Tanner

Date: 13.09.2023

Rescued from a long hibernation, this stunning Holden is a great example of how to make a classic a one-off

Around ten years ago, Neville Mawer heard about a potential gem that had been locked up in a room for more than 40 years.

Along with a friend, Neville went to have a look at the 1951 Holden Sedan 48-215, or the FX, as it unofficially came to be known. When they arrived, the car before them was clean.

In fact, the owner said, "If you can find any rust you can have it for free". Neville recounted, "I always take a little magnet with me to see if there is any filler on a car, but the car was perfect, it was like new underneath and still had the metal coverings wrapped around the springs".

It was an easy purchase, but taking the car home wasn’t so easy. A wall had to be demolished to free the car from the room it had been stored in for more than four decades. The only things the car needed were a new front seat and left-front mudguard.

When he brought the car home, it was black and powered by a factory spec straight-six cylinder 132 Grey motor. To this day, the car remains somewhere between 80 and 90 per cent original according to Neville.

There were some items that needed to be brought up to a better standard of safety to drive it, and while it was in parts why not add a splash of performance too?

The engine has been fettled quite a bit, with the block and head to get some machining done.

"I sent the block away to get rebored, and the head for oversized valves and suitable for running unleaded," said Neville.

Upgrades to the grey motor included a mild cam, engine block and head deck heights shaved to the ‘thumb-print’. The crankshaft and flywheel have been balanced. Helping the engine to open up, Neville opted for twin Stromberg carburettors and Jake Myers headers.

"I put the engine together myself so I know what’s in it and how it was done."

The engine has had a host of upgrades.

Even the electrical system was given some attention, boosting it from 6-volt to 12-volt and a more suitable alternator has been fitted. The gearbox has been given a freshen-up to ensure reliability and drive-ability. 

Throughout the rest of the car, the brakes retain the original brake and drum setups, except for an upgraded booster.

He has changed the diff centre to a 3.36 ratio so it doesn’t hunt for another gear while driving around, a thermo fan to help with cooling and some suspension add-ons.

"I fitted tramp rods to help the springs as they are very small and narrow from factory" he said.

Neville does drive it often, "I take the car on club runs, and I drive it as often as I can".

So far, the furthest he has driven the car is to Winton Raceway, "But it will do lot longer trips, it could go around Australia no worries".

Neville continues with a smile, "In fact the car and trailer have been around the race track at Winton a few times too."

The Holden and the trailer in action.

It has been resprayed to Aqua Green, with the engine bay remaining black. The FX has been finished off, just the way he wanted it, utilising NASCO (who was an in-house spares and accessories provider for Holden) accessories to complete the look of the car.

Inside, you’ll find a centre console to hide the NASCO heater and a modern radio, as he didn’t want to cut up the original dash.

Neville swapped out the speedo cluster for a 1950s Vauxhall unit, along with a few other accessories in the interior. You will even notice a taxi bar has been installed for passengers should they need it.

Neville adds, "The colour and the accessories really make the car stand out."

The trailer was purchased as a wreck, Neville noted it took longer to build it than to finish the car itself. – around four years from start to finish.

"I thought I would make a camping van out of it, as I was doing a lot of fishing at the time. So I found a canopy for it and it just went on from there," Neville explained.

That's a happy owner.

Onboard the custom camper, you’ll find a 70-litre water tank for drinking, a CB radio, a working eight-track cartridge player complete with a selection of Aussie classics on tape.

The AM/FM radio and electric 12-volt jug for coffee is a nice inclusion. The back window was borrowed from a ute and turned around to fit inside the canopy at the front of the trailer.

"The car pulls it along really nicely, it’s a joy to drive," he said.

While it has done many a trip to the Murray River, Neville decided he would tidy the trailer up, paint it the same colour as the car and take it to car shows as a set.

From Unique Cars #481, Jul 2023

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