EJ/EH

{including the S4}
EJ                                                                                            EH
  1. The EJ
  2. The EH
  3. How to tell the difference
  4. The EH S4

The EJ

On July 30 1962 GMH released the all new EJ Holden . It Featured a totally new body style from the previous model . Mechanically it was the same as the previous model .
  1. 138 cu in Grey motor (2262 cc)
  2. 3 speed column shift manual transmission
  3. 4 speed Hydra-matic auto matic transmission
. Some of the new features included : The all new Premier sedan was introduced EJ/235 A . It was the same as the standard sedan (EJ /225 A) except for the following :
     
  1. Fresh air heater controlled by a 2 speed fan switch mounted on a center console .
  2. 2 speed wipers fitted with window washing facility
  3. Individual adjustable bucket seats and folding center arm rests .
  4. All seats upolstered in leather .
  5. Carpets fitted with chrome sill plates
  6. Lift up type door handles incorporated into arm rests on all doors
  7. Hand brake warning lights fitted
  8. Anti glare rear view mirror fitted .

The EH

Released in August 1963  the EH Holden was the first of a new breed of Holden . There was now a choice of 3 NEW motors as well as a new Model , The Premier Station wagon EH / 239 which was the same as the EH / 235 Premier sedan . The main differences between the EJ and the EH were: The new look Holden came fitted with a choice of engines : These came with either :

The EH S4.

 

S4 : In 1964 G.M.H released the S4 sedan . This was a purpose built vehicle designed for racing at Bathurst.  It seems there was 126 S4's built 120 were released and 6 were prototypes

Pictured above . This was the Red S4 (Yes its a black and white photo) raced at Bathurst by Brian Muir being chased by the White Jaguar of one Bob Jane ... Easter 1964  (Stay tuned as I am working on a Bathurst page with pics from 1938 onwards )

The Car : The S4 was basically a standard EH sedan with the following Modifications . (Specs taken from original GMH EH Workshop manual )
Model Identification: EH / 225 M - S.4.

Engine ; 179 Cu Inch .
Modified B.X.V.-2 Stromberg Carburettor : Modified float Chamber which incorporated a lower power jet chamber .
Radiator : The Radiator is the same as fitted to the Automatic model except that the oil cooler pipe has been removed from the lower tank .

Clutch ;
1: The clutch housing is larger with wider spacing of bolt holes for attaching the transmission .
2: The pressure plate assembly has a heavier cover and a new cast pressure plate
3: The driven plate is of a new design with special linings and more heavily dampened .
4: The clutch actuating cylinder body has the flange off-set to the cylinder bore to provide cylinder to transmission case clearance . Owing to the modified clutch housing it has been necessary to revise the exhaust to clutch housing attaching bracket.

Transmission : The synchromesh transmission is basically the same as that fitted to the EJ model except that the transmission case mountings bolt spacing has been increased . In addition the gear shifter crank assembly , the shifter and selector rods have been redesigned to provide adequate operating clearances from the clutch housing . The transmission assembly is identifiable by the suffix S.4 added to the serial number .

Rear Axle : The gear ratio of 3.55:1 is fitted and the gear case is made of Nodular Iron .

 Brakes :Brake linings and shoes remain the same as the standard sedan however a change has been made to the Brake Shoe Retracting spring , brake shoe hold down spring and pin assembly. Power Brakes are also standard on the S4 Model

Fuel Tank : The fuel tank capacity has been increased to 12 (imp) gallons by enlarging the lower half of the tank . The fuel gauge tank unit has been revised to suit .

At the Races :

In 1964 Brian Muir arrived at the Mount Panarama track with his new S4 Holden . Up against much improved Cooper mini's , the Ford Cortina GT of Ian Geoghegan and Harry Firth and the big white Jaguar of Bob Jane .

Bob Jane began practice with a time of 2:55.8 and a speed of 140.mph down Con Rod . Brian Muir in the S4 managed a 2:58.9 at 130 MPH . Leo Gioacchino Ford Cortina GT on a 2:58.9 and Harry Firth 's Ford Cortina GT on a 3:02 .

The main race for these cars was a 3 lap race . The race was won by Bob Jane in the big Jag , setting a new lap record of 2:55.9 at 146.34 MPH followed only seconds behind by ...you guessed it ...Brian Muir's S4 Holden .A top speed of 129 MPH and 2:57 despite an overheating problem ! The official results were
 

Race Results 
1st  R.Jane Jaguar 3.8  8 min 50.9 secs 
2nd B.Muir  Holden S4  8 min 55.4 secs 
3rd  B.Seton  Holden ?  9 min 27.2 secs 
 

Muir campaigned the S4 again in 1965 and up against the mighty V8 Mustang of Bob Jane and the Lotus powered Cortina of Ian Geoghegan the lights changed and what followed was 10 laps of pure motor racing . Before completing the first lap Muir had to pit to fix a loose bonnet clip . Rejoining the race he worked his way back to 4 th . By the second last lap the mighty mustang that had led all the way was slowing with a broken fan belt . Muir surged past the lotus powered Cortina and the mighty Mini to be side by side with the V8 mustang at the line but Ian Geoghegan took the trophy with the mustang .

The official results were

Race Results 
1st  R.Jane Ford Mustang V8  29 min 28.1 secs 
2nd B.Muir  Holden S4  29 min 28.9 secs 
3rd  I. Geoghegan  Lotus Cortina  29 min 29.5 secs 
 

If you would like to know more about the S4's racing history or more about the Great Race (Bathurst) then I would strongly recommended you get a copy of a book called Bathurst: Cradle of Australian Motor Racing by John Medley . It is available from your local library . 

How to tell them apart .

Well the sedan and station wagon from the side are very easy to tell apart . But what if your looking front on . Again its easy! The EJ has a badge mounted in the center front of the bonnet (see below )
 

 The 1962  EJ                                                 The 1963  EH
 
At First glance there doesnt seem to be a lot of difference does there . Plus they are not the best pictures . I will be adding better ones soon  . There are several differences if you look closely . Firstly the obvious ones .

I have circled an area on the EH . If you look at the same area on the EJ you will notice an Emblem , this is missing in the EH .

On the EJ the bonnet has a recess down the center . The EH doesnt .

The EJ has the word HOLDEN  across the metal work below the emblem . These were individual letters clipped into the panel . On the EH the word HOLDEN is embossed into the chrome strip
 

Then there is one morew give away . If you look at the wipers you will notice there is a grille under them . On the EJ there was 2 of these where-as on the EH it was a single full length unit .

Ok So now you are looking at a ute ! How do you tell the difference . Well from the front its the same as all the other body styles . From the side you look at the petrol cap . If it has a flap that you have to open ...its an EJ . If it has a fuel cap you can see ...its an EH

This is an EH ute . Notice the use of the EJ tail lights
 

So now , you have been  sat in a vehicle and told to tell someone what model it is .....just look at the metal work around the gauges ...if it has a star shaped design ..its an EJ ... if its got straight lines ... The Speedo on the EH also goes to 120MPH .

its an EH !