The year 1963 marked the moment that Holden took on the challenge to compete with Ford’s Falcons. The model they released to compete with the locally made Falcons is still considered one of the most collectible and favourites of the Holden range. It was produced by GM-Holden in Australia from 1963 to 1965 and replaced the Holden EJ series.
The EH Holden vs the EJ Holden
The sedan’s colour combination was a saltbush green and white, with a green interior and vinyl trim. It came in three trim options – the Standard Special and Premier. The wheels were steel, and they had drum brakes. The engine was a 149ci six-cylinder with a three-speed automatic gearbox. Compared to the previous EJ, it had a squared-off roofline and grille, which gave it a modern edge, coined ‘power swept styling’.
While the new EH Holden wasn’t a massive breakaway from the EJ it replaced, there were plenty of changes beneath the bonnet. Buyers certainly noticed, and Holden sold over 250,000 units in the short year and a half that EH was in production. This wins it the title as the fastest-selling Australian car ever.
Mechanical improvements of the EH Holden
The most significant change was the brand-new, which replaced Holden’s grey motor. Referred to as the ‘red engine’ because of the colour the blocks were painted, the unit significantly improved. It had a bigger bore and shorter stroke. The compression ratio was higher. It was offered in a 149ci (2400cc) engine or 179ci option.
Other stand-out features were the seven-bearing crankshaft (instead of the four main bearing crankshaft used in the ‘grey’ engine) and hydraulic valve lifters. It had new pistons and a new head, which gave more power and better fuel efficiency. Buyers had the choice between a three-speed column-change manual box or a Hydramatic auto.
The first EH-S4, as it was known, was the first with a 179 ci engine and a manual gearbox. The gearbox was upgraded to make it stronger than the 149ci gearbox, and it also featured a new clutch.
The Holden EH range models
The models available included nine options:
- Standard Sedan (also in station, and special station)
- Holden EH special
- S4 Special Sedan
- Premier Sedan (also in station)
- Utility
- Panel van
Let’s look at the models a little closer. There was no side badging on the standard model, and typically they were fitted with 149ci engines, with rubber floor mats and a single-tone finish. The ‘special’ models, however, had stainless moulding strips all round. They had special badges, and one could choose between two-tone paint jobs and acrylic paint, which was used for the ‘standard’. The Standard EH was priced at the same as its previous sibling, the EJ, at A$2102.
The most luxurious version, the ‘Premier’, came with all the bells and whistles and was the only model with metallic, not acrylic, paint. It had a 179ci engine and hydramatic transmission. Inside there was a leather interior and it had chrome-plated wheel trims. Comfort was everything thanks to bucket seats and a fold-down armrest in the back seat, in the centre. Other highlights were carpets, a heater and demister, a diamond dot radio, and a handbrake warning light.
Then in September 1963, the ‘S4 Special’ was launched. They were built purely as part of the racing approval process, requiring a minimum of 100 to be made and sold. Six were produced in the Holden Melbourne plant and 120 in Sydney. The S4 featured the 179 engine and manual transmission but had tougher gears and a 12-gallon fuel tank for racing needs. It even had a better tool kit. There were metal-lined brake shoes and a larger tail shaft.
Collectable and classy
The EH was a hit in the 60s, and as the fastest-selling Holden ever, it hasn’t lost its shine with collectors and street machiners. The EH is considered to be a hard act to follow. Even the EJ is seeing increased popularity spurred on by the buzz surrounding the EH Holden.