Market Watch: EJ-EH Holden

By: Cliff Chambers

Date: 18.06.2023

The EJ, and in particular EH models, marked turning points in Holden’s design philosophy

No longer would GM-H styling sit a generation behind the rest of the automotive world. And, from late 1963 when the EH appeared, its engines would be up to the mark as well.

The shape of the EJ and angular EH left 1950s styling in their wake while continuing to deliver six-seat cabin space and design simplicity.

The EH should from the beginning, have been a race winner, but a disastrous 1963 Bathurst 500 campaign put an end to Holden’s hopes of marketing the EH as a successful competition prospect. It didn’t matter though, because sales established records that would never be beaten and owners were doing what the factory decided it would not.

Twin and even triple carburettors were bolted to the new 179 cubic inch (2.9-litre) Red Six, boosting power well beyond the factory 86kW. Beneath the floor, replacing Holden’s rugged three-speed transmissions, were all manner of four and even five-speed manual gearboxes.

| 2022 Market Review: Holden EJ-EH

Once the HR Holden with its disc brake option was launched, its front suspension was quickly adapted and hundreds of hot EJ/EHs acquired stopping power to match their performance.

More than 250,000 EHs and 156,000 EJs were produced and most didn’t survive the 1970s. A lot did though and both models maintain strong followings in the specialist vehicle market.

Premiers, modified or showroom stock, have made the most spectacular gains. $60,000 is typical money for a well-restored EH sedan, with some wagons of exceptional quality setting auction records with hammer prices around $100,000.

| Buyer's Guide: Holden EH-EJ

There is no need to pay that sort of money, or anything like it, for an enjoyable EJ or EH. While authenticity is important where a car is being bought for its collector potential, the vast majority of survivors will be imperfect or altered in some way and cheaper than ‘show’ cars.

Something that is running a later red, blue or even black six-cylinder engine, with improved brakes and suspension is going to be viable on congested roads and certainly be easier and safer to drive than cars with the running gear from 60 years ago.

How the prices moved

From Unique Cars #479, June 2023

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

Sell your car for free right here