Holden was not the first Australian car manufacturer as some 30 years earlier an American-inspired attempt was made and it had modest results.
It was during 1910s when the American automotive industry was rising as investors began to become relatively rich by exporting motor cars all across the world including Australia.
When the First World War began, the Australian Government restricted imports of luxury items including completely assembled international motor vehicles. To get around this, local agents elected to import components individually and assemble the vehicles in Australia using the skilled coach builders to construct the bodies.
Although using the original chassis, these Australian assembled models proved a strong selling point by being suited to local conditions.
Sydney-based agent Frederick Gordon realised the potential for the Australian motoring industry and started to investigate a means to launch his own. To devise the best way, Gordon visited the US to view the mass assembly plants being used to produce most of the world’s vehicles.
Through these visits, Gordon was able to obtain the design created by Louis Chevrolet featuring an innovative six-cylinder motor. Chevrolet was working at American Motors Corporation at the time.
When Gordon returned from the US, he didn’t come alone as three partially built prototypes came too.
Gordon’s dream became a reality when the ‘Australian Six’ was launched. Mechanicals were built in Rushcutters Bay, Miller’s Motor Bodyworks in Randwick handled the body and FH Gordon & Co launched the model in early 1919 as a demonstrator for prospective buyers.
The next year a factory was constructed at Ashfield, but the ‘Australian Six’ was floundering in the showrooms.
Reportedly just 500 were built between 1919 and 1925 as the high cost compared to cheaper rivals was a major turn off particularly prior to ‘The Great Depression’.
It is thought just four remain each in a museum across the country.