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By
DAVID PIKE
The 1961 Holden EK was not a new model but was the first Holden to have
an automatic transmission option. To jazz up the availability of the
first automatic Holden the car was released with a number of new styling
features compared with the model that it replaced, such as a restyled
grille and front bumper guards, new upholstery, new hub caps, badging
and stainless steel side mouldings. Some actually useful new features
included the introduction of electric windscreen wipers and an interior
operated bonnet lock for added security.
The automatic transmission, called in General Motors speak a
Hydra-Matic transmission, was similar to that supplied in
Cadillac, Oldsmobile and Pontiac cars. It was fitted to Special
models only and available as an optional extra. It was a far cry
from the first General Motor's automatic transmission which was
developed by GM's engineers in the early 30s. This shifted
automatically, but a conventional friction clutch was still
required for stops and starts and for full performance a certain
amount of manipulation of the gear selector was required.
Transmissions of this type were an optional extra on 1937 and 1938
Oldsmobiles.
The name Hydra-Matic is derived from the fact that a high
efficiency fluid coupling was used which allowed the car to stand
at idle speed without objectionable creep. Only about 40 per cent
of the torque from the engine to the rear wheels was passed
through a fluid coupling; the balance of the torque was
transmitted mechanically by shafts and gearing. For the less
skilful driver the transmission frequently made gear shifts that
the driver did not realise were desirable or necessary under the
existing circumstances and were certainly far smoother. For
operation the selector had six positions: Pk for park, N for
neutral, D for drive, S for special intermediate gear, L for low
and R for reverse.
Other specifications of the EK remained the same as the model
EB which it replaced. These included the six-cylinder OHV in line
engine with a capacity of 2208cc which developed 56kW at 4200 rpm.
It had a compression ratio of 7.25 to 1 and idled at 500rpm.
Hydraulic drum brakes were fitted and the carburettor was a Bendix
Stromberg double venturi down draught type. The front suspension
was of the independent coil spring design with short and long arms
assembled to the front end frame as a complete unit. The rear
suspension had semi-elliptic springs.
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