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The first Holden car officially rolled off the General Motors-Holden assembly line at Fishermen's Bend, Victoria, on 29 November 1948, beginning a new era in Australian motoring. Holden vehicles, starting with the 48-215 (popularly known as the FX), quickly became an Australian institution and by 1958 could claim 43 per cent of car sales in Australia. A million had been sold by 1960.
This car, the first FX commercially sold, was delivered to the home of Essington Lewis (1881-1961), managing director of BHP, on the evening of 24 February 1949. Lewis had given crucial help to the Australian car project from its inception during the Second World War. The car was later sold to the manager of the Lewis property near Tallarook, Victoria, and then to a local rabbiter.
Having fallen into disuse it was subsequently salvaged by Mary Munckton, daughter of Essington Lewis. Ian Metherall arranged for it to be restored in 1987.
Donated by Mary Munckton and Ian Metherall
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