When the FJ Holden was released
Cost of a new Holden 48-215
- Base sedan models started at approximately £749–£800 (≈ $1,500–$1,600 AUD equivalent at the time)
- The 48-215 was Australia’s first locally designed and mass-produced car, marking a major milestone in the nation’s automotive history. The Ute model 50-216 would be released 2 years later.
- It was a practical, robust vehicle, suitable for post-war families, with a simple 4-cylinder engine, steel body, and basic interior
Gold price (AUD per troy ounce)
- Fixed under Bretton Woods at about £12/10s sterling (~$25 AUD) per oz (Australia still used pound currency)
Silver price (AUD per troy ounce)
- About $0.70–$0.75 AUD
Average wage
- Average weekly wage: about £10–£12 (≈ $20–$24 AUD)
- Average annual wage: roughly £520–£624 (≈ $1,040–$1,248 AUD)
Average house price
- Around £1,500–£1,800 (≈ $3,000–$3,600 AUD)
Price of petrol
- About 2d per gallon (≈ $0.04 AUD per litre equivalent)
Prime Minister
- Ben Chifley (Labor Party)
Population of Australia
- About 7.7 million people
Top-grossing movie
- The Red Shoes, Hamlet
Top song
- Nature Boy by Nat King Cole topped Australian charts
Significant world event
- Post-war recovery and reconstruction dominated the global stage
- The Marshall Plan in Europe and early Cold War tensions shaped world politics
Popular TV / radio in Australia
- Television had not yet launched in Australia (first broadcast 1956)
- Radio was the primary medium: stations like 3AW, 2GB, and ABC broadcasts were dominant
Significant Australian news story
- Post-war industrial expansion and housing development dominated headlines
- The launch of the Holden 48-215 was celebrated as Australia’s first truly national car, sparking pride and optimism
Interesting comparisons
- The 48-215 Holden cost roughly 1 year’s average wage, making it a major investment for most families
- The average house cost about 2–3 years’ wages
- Filling the ~35L tank cost only a few cents
- A week’s wages could buy roughly 500–550 litres of petrol
When the FJ Holden was released