The 1960s was a pivotal decade for the Australian car manufacturing industry. For one, it saw the birth of the Australian ‘muscle car’, with Ford’s release of the XR Falcon GT in 1967.
But it was a time of huge change generally. Holden entered the decade with a market dominance of almost 50 percent – and that was with its dowdy, ‘50s-era styled FB model with its antiquated 2.2-litre ‘Grey’ six. And there was just the one model in the entire Holden range, available as a sedan, wagon, ute or panel van.
By the end of the decade, Holden’s lineup had expanded enormously: two six-cylinder engines, a local-made V8 and an imported Chev, a long wheelbase luxury version of the sedan, a pillarless coupe in the Monaro, and the new…