Holden heritage at Clipsal 500

This year is a significant one for Holden.

The GM-owned company will celebrate 60 years since the first 48-215 (colloquially known as the FX Holden) rolled off the end of the production line.

It's been 50 years since the Elizabeth plant was established, 40 years since the Monaro name was introduced and 30 years of continuous Commodore production.

Overshadowed somewhat by the blanket Ford news this week, Holden, we have no doubt, will make up for lost time throughout the rest of the year.

The first item on the agenda is promoting the brand at the Clipsal 500. Holden will have the very first 48-215 Holden and the EFIJY concept car circulating the track ahead of the race, on Sunday, February 24.

The EFIJY is fresh back from the Dubai Motor Show (more here), after securing plaudits and awards during a North American tour last year.

Designer Richard Ferlazzo will drive the C5 Corvette-based one-off around the track, the first time EFIJY has been driven on public roads in Australia -- albeit closed for the race in this instance.

The new Holden Chairman and MD, Mark Reuss, will drive the elderly 48-215 around the track. This was the very same car pictured with Labor Prime Minister Ben Chifley in 1948, at the official launch of the GM-Holden brand.

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