From The Classifieds: 1963 Holden EJ Special

From The Classifieds
1963 Holden EJ Special

EJ? Why not an EH? The EJ Holden has been partially obscured by the iconic EH, the model that introduced the more powerful “red” engines to a previously under-done family car.

Today, in reality, there’s not a lot separating them apart from the EH’s popularity. Here we look at what sort of EJ your money can buy.

The EJ Holden was introduced in August 1962 and today is seen as a poor cousin to the more powerful, re-styled EH that followed it exactly a year later.

As the first Holden to break away from the long-serving 'grey' engine that had been the driving force right from the original 48-215, the EH was finally able to challenge the

Ford Falcon’s on-road performance. To some, it also looked more contemporary with its angular rear roofline and squared-off boot.

So the EJ had a short history, unlike the EH which remained available for two years and was not replaced until February 1965 by the bulky HD.

Although the EJ was fundamentally the same car as the EH apart from the driveline and the new-look back end, it was quickly forgotten as buyers flocked to the more grunty, 149 and 179 “red” engined Holdens.

But there are those who would beg to differ.

Granted, the new-generation engines were a big advance over the EJ’s 138 cubic-inch six-cylinder, but was the EH’s styling an improvement?

To some, no. From the C-pillar back, the EH was something of a mismatch with the front end, discontinuing the flowing character line aft of the doors and introducing an entirely new, more voguish shape ending up with jutting, vertical taillights and a flat rear deck.

Although the front end was relatively unchanged for the EH, the EJ’s elegant, mini-Chevy rear with its low-set taillights, subtly angled boot mouldings and wrap-around rear window was dispensed with.

But there was no mistaking an EH for an EJ and, for most, this was a good thing. And because the EH was a bit more exciting than the sluggish EJ, it obviously figured that every aspect of the new Holden was superior.

In reality, the original EJ design was more harmonious.

Clearly there is a lot more interest today in EHs than EJs. carsales.com.au, at the time of writing, listed 30 EHs for sale as opposed to just seven EJs. And EHs tend to bring higher prices as well.

Our quest was to take a look at what EJs were on offer, and what sort of price a well-presented car could command.

According to the details supplied by the owner, the blue/white EJ has had a ground-up, bare-metal restoration with the two-pack paint coming as close as possible to matching the original hues.

Importantly, the EJ remains in standard specification, from the 138 cubic inch grey engine to the steel wheels and the original interior where the only departure is the grey carpeting.

Sure, an EJ will not be quite as quick on the road as an EH but, in reality, neither would be described as actually fast today. The differentials in performance have narrowed with the passing of time.

A neat, original EJ Holden is indeed no bad thing and is an equally valid example as the EH of early Holden history.