A family reunion for the Holden Efijy Concept
The stunning Holden Efijy Concept recently got the chance to meet its forebears at an event staged outside Holden's headquarters in Port Melbourne, Australia. The Efijy was joined by a fleet of old-school FJ and FX Holdens, the very cars that served as the inspiration for the Aussie concept in the first place. Efijy made its debut at the 2005 Australian Motor Show and since then has been featured in just about every automotive publication imaginable. It was recently profiled in North America's Hot Rod magazine -- not bad for a car wearing a nameplate the average American is not familiar with (though they unwittingly see one every time a Pontiac GTO cruises by).
Looking like some kind of Boyd Coddington creation and not an in-house factory concept, the Efijy seemed right at home next to all the rodded-up Holdens that took part in the event. It's fun when automakers go out of their way to acknowledge their heritage like this. General Motors wouldn't happen to have something stateside it could host a similar type of event around now, would it?
(Click to read Holden's press release and see more pics after the jump.)
[Source: GM Holden]
Press Release
Holden's Showstopping Efijy Concept Meets The Grandparents
Almost 20 members of the Early Model Holden Club Victoria parked outside Holden headquarters to park their beloved Holden FX and FJ vehicles alongside last year's national motorshow hit, the EFIJY custom coupe.
EFIJY was designed to pay homage to the original FJ Holden released in 1953, adding custom cool, V8 Supercar power and leading edge technology into the mix.
Unveiled at the Australian International Motor Show in October 2005, the car has been recognised around the world for its stunning design lines and thoroughly modern interpretation of yesteryear cars.
The Early Model Holden Club Victoria arranged the multi-generational rendezvous with Holden and occupied the Port Melbourne forecourt for photographs and talks with EFIJY lead designer Richard Ferlazzo.
Club president Rod Grummitt, who organised the visit, said members were thrilled at the opportunity to see the car and meet its designer.
"Ever since we saw EFIJY in the media, we've wanted to see the car in the flesh so when we were offered the opportunity by Holden we jumped at the chance," Rod said.
"Even having seen pictures of the car, everyone here today is absolutely rapt at seeing the car. It's just an amazing vehicle and such a beautiful design.
"The club members absolutely love it. They all want to leave their cars here and trade them in for an EFIJY.
"EFIJY pays respect to the era of the original car but it's exactly what we think the FJ would have looked like if production hadn't stopped.
The club members are stoked at this opportunity. They are all going to have their photos framed and this is a day they will all remember."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ghughes 12:45PM (6/15/2006)
It positively screams BUICK COUPE!
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Noah 12:57PM (6/15/2006)
If ever there were a conceopt car that NEEDED to be put into production (In a somewhat toned down version) that's it.
--Noah
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bigmike 1:01PM (6/15/2006)
I love this car.
No one has the balls to produce it though. And if they did, they would price it out of the range of us working stiffs. Build it and keep it under $35K fully loaded. O.K. under $40K. But that is my final offer.
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GMfan 1:05PM (6/15/2006)
Beautiful car...would love to see a retro Buick coupe hit the market
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JC Whitless 2:02PM (6/15/2006)
I see a "Roadmaster" in GM's future....
Imagine this bad boy as a convertible with wood sides.
Oh baby!!
Buick would be saved!
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gwballin 3:26PM (6/15/2006)
It looks a lot like the Buick Blackhawk concept from a few years ago to me. I was thinking then, as I am now, that I'd love to get my hands on one.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2000-Buick-Blackhawk-Concept.htm
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gerbick 10:59PM (6/15/2006)
This car and the Buick concept both would be the upper echelon of this "retro craze" and I'd fully support it with a purchase.
In simpler terms... build it. Allow it to be a kit, make a left-hand drive version for us Yanks, DO SOMETHING other than try to convince me that I want a Lucerne or Pontiac GTO.
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ZiER 1:11AM (8/01/2006)
It may scream Buick,
but it's true blue Aussie muscle.
Checkout some of Holden's other vehicles;
http://www.hsv.com.au
Greetz from Oz.
ZiER.
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Johnny Dingo 12:35AM (3/28/2007)
I'd take the Efijy over the Blackhawk hands down, and my first car was '62 LeSabre.
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