Although only a facelift of the
FB, the EK was the first Holden to be offered
with an Automatic transmission...
AC Cars and Carroll Shelby, it
would seem a match made in heaven...
When you have finished laughing, check the prices
these cars now fetch...
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1961 would see GMH release the facelifted and revised
new "EK Holden" model, the major change being a
new optional automatic transmission. The introduction
of the three-speed Hydramatic provided the first
taste of automatic motoring for hundreds of thousands
of Australians. Other FB differences were minor:
exterior badges and mouldings were changed and a
redesigned grille featured wider-spaced parking lights/flashers.
The Hydramatic was a fully imported American unit used
in several GM vehicles overseas. The Hydramatic still
allowed the auto Holden to maintain respectable performance
figures although the power of the Holden engine was
not increased for the automatic versions. Economy was
also closer to the manual than many expected.
EK refinements
included revised interior trim, an electric wiper motor
(replacing the vacuum unit) and a new fresh-air heating
unit. At the time Holden were using 4000 suppliers across
Australia and operating ten plants, but Holden knew
the Australian public favoured the more American look
of the Falcon, and so the new model EK would stay in
production for just over a year.
It was in 1961 that Texan racer Carroll Shelby would
approach AC Cars, with the idea of putting a Ford 4.2-litre
V8 engine into their Ace sports car. The result needs
little introduction, the legendary AC Cobra remains
one of the fastest and most famous muscle cars of all.
Most
Europeans had grown accustomed to quirkly cars eminating
from Germany, such as the Messerschmitt Bubble Car and
BMW Iso Isetta.
But the Amphicar was to set a benchmark
for the bizzare. Not without merit perhaps, particularly
if you enjoy a spot of fishing while you drive, but
the compromises needed to make a car suitable for
both road and water travel resulted in a car that
boasted poor roadholding and even worse sea-fairing
ability.
On
the road the Amphicar could almost reach 100 km/h,
but at sea it was capable of a blistering 7.5 knots,
although rust and leaks soon plagued those dedicated
to taking their car "off road".
In September of 1961 Volkswagen would release their
very popular Type 3, suprisingly sharing very little
in common with the Beetle. Sure, the engine was air
cooled and mounted at the rear, but in the Type 3 the
engineers had set about designing the engine bay to
maximise space in the rest of the car. And apart from
the engine configuration, the Type 3 more closely resembled
more mainstream automobiles than any previous volkswagen,
until the release of the Golf.
In other motoring news, the Australian designed plastic
weathershield would be sold for the first time in Great
Britain; Plans are announced for a world land speed
record attempt by Donald Campbell on Lake Eyre; Ferrari's
first rear engine Formula One car would win its debut
race (the Syracuse Grand Prix); the newly launched Australian
version of the Mini Minor is described by Modem Motor
magazine as 'Car of the Year'.
The concept of cotton growing was introduced to Australia
by two Americans who set up farms in the Namoi Valley
near Wee Waa in New South Wales. Their commercial crops
were immediately successful, and arose interest in both
Australian and American farmers.
In
1961 Commander Alan Shepard would make the first US
manned flight into space (three weeks after Soviet cosmonaut
Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space); South Africa
would withdraw from British Commonwealth and declare
itself a Republic, while Queen Elizabeth would meet
with Pope John XXIII. 
Formula One Championship: Phil Hill (United States) / Ferrari
1961 Bathurst
Winner: Bob Jane and Harry Firth / Mercedes 220SE
NRL Grand Final:
VFL/AFL Grand Final:
Melbourne Cup: Lord Fury (R. Selkrig)
Wimbledon Women: Angela Mortimer d.
C. Truman (4-6 6-4 7-5)
Wimbledon Men: Rod Laver d. C. McKinley
(6-3 6-1 6-4)
The Movies:
- West Side Story
- The Hustler
- Judgment at Nuremberg
- La Dolce Vita
- Spartacus
- Ben Hur
- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
- The Millionaires
Gold Logie: Bob Dyer (Pick A Box,
ATN7)
Academy Awards:
- Best Picture - West Side Story
- Best Actor - Maximilian Schell (Judgment at Nuremberg)
- Best Actress - Sophia Loren (Two Women)
The Charts:
- Moon River - Henry Mancini & Jerry Butler
- Exodus - Ferrante & Teicher
- A Scottish Soldier - Andy Stewart
- Wooden Heart - Elvis Presley
- Let There Be Drums - Sandy Nelson
- Asia Minor - Kokomo
- Crying/Candy Man - Roy Orbison
- I'm Counting On You - Johnny O'Keefe
- Travelin' Man - Rick Nelson
- When The Girl In Your Arms Is The Girl In Your Heart
- Cliff Richard
Farewells:
- Sir Thomas Beecham (English conductor)
- Ty Cobb (Baseball Player)
- Carl Jung (Psychologist)
- Chico Marx (First of the fabulous Marx Brothers
to exit stage left)
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