We are now about to take a trip back to 1961, the year that Cec bought his EK. Back then most men still wore hats, Telecom was still called the PMG, television was still a novelty, and the Russians had only just put 'Sputnik' into orbit. The Cold War was on, though out in the suburbs no one knew. It was post-war boom time in Australia. Everyone and their dog was moving to the suburbs, too busy becoming modern consumers, where the car took pride of place in the garage. Plastic was new the material of the future, Tupperware was 'it'. Marketing buzz-words became hip, especially at Holden during the EK run, words like 'ElascoFab', 'HydraMatic', 'Magic-Mirror Acrylic Lacquer Finish', 'Aerobilt' body construction, etc...They were lapping up sales brochures like this one:

Rigid "Aerobilt" construction is the engineering reason behind Holdens' long body life and freedom from annoying squeaks and rattles. All-welded "Aerobilt" design takes off weight while it puts on strength to give Holden an outstanding power-to-weight ratio.

"ONE CAR ALONE is designed specifically for Australia. Holden - Australia's Own Car. The whole idea of this car - built for Australian conditions, backed by the world-spanning resources of General Motors - means that in Holden, you get more of all the things you want. The room, the performance, the dependability and the style - combined with low first cost, nation-wide service and high resale value - to make your motoring more enjoyable, more economical, more practical. Holden has long been Australian sales leader, simply because Holden's value for money has always been unmatched. Now, this value is greater than ever it was. For now-in addition to all its proved advantages-Holden offers you a thrilling new look of luxury both inside and out. There's a new grille, new hub-cap medallions and clean new lines to emphasise Holden's low, road-hugging stance. Inside, Holden's luxurious new trims will delight you with new colours, new patterns and new harmonies. In addition to styling advances, Holden now gives you the added convenience of constant speed electric windshield wipers. And you have the protection of a new bonnet locking catch operated from inside the car. Most important of all, Holden now brings you the excitement and driving enjoyment of Hydra-Matic* - General Motors' world-famous automatic transmission - which is offered as a factory fitted option at extra cost on Special Sedans and Special Station Sedans. With these great advances, you can be confident as never before that when you choose Holden, you choose Australia's finest value. For today, Australia's Own Car is more beautiful to look at... more exciting to drive... even more rewarding to own."

Well! After reading that how could you resist rushing out to buy new a Holden! The EK Holden was released on the 2nd of May 1961, following on from the FB model (which looked almost exactly the same as the EK). Strictly speaking, the EK was just a revamped FB. The FB Holden had been released on the 12th of January 1960, and the FB itself was pretty much just a watered-down version of a '57 Chevy, squared off and made to look more conservative for the Aussie market. The FB had no bonnet-lock, no electric windscreen wipers, and no automatic transmission option. The EK model had all these.

Pushed along by competition from Chrysler and Ford, the EK became the very first Holden to have an automatic transmission. The 'Hydramatic' was a four-speed auto from GM in the US, with ratios of 3.6394:1, 3.0303:1, 1.5775:1 and 1:1. With the Hydramatic Holden began aiming their marketing at the two-car family, encouraging women to drive.

The engine in both the FB and EK was the 138c.i. (2250cc) Grey engine, and was pretty much the same engine that had been fitted to every Holden since 1948. Holden chose not to ignore this and marketed it as "Australia's Most Proved Car Engine" - here is an exerpt: "The famous "square" six cylinder Holden engine has demonstrated its worth beyond a doubt. Holden has proved it gives you the greatest combination of performance, dependability and long life in Australia today. From all over Australia, owners have written enthusiastic letters about Holden's economy, sparkle and smoothness. The fact that the Holden engine performs so well under arduous conditions speaks volumes for the quality of its engineering. It is your guarantee of years of happy motoring."

The 'Magic-Mirror Acrylic Lacquer Finish'??? - what next! Well, you just have to dig those pastel colours... "Holden gives you richer colours... longer-lasting beauty... easier care... Magic-Mirror Acrylic Lacquer Finish - GMH's exclusive exterior paint - makes your Holden more beautiful, more durable, more care-free and more valuable at trade-in time. Magic-Mirror is fade-resistant so the new and different colours of your Holden will keep their showroom sparkle far longer. Magic-Mirror resists staining, cracking and chipping - its gem-hard surface protects your car better. Magic-Mirror needs no polish for up to three years - a hose down is all your Holden will normally require. Magic-Mirror Acrylic Lacquer Finish in a thrilling colour-range is standard at no extra cost on all Holden models. And only General Motors-Holden's vehicles have Magic-Mirror." After reading that sales brochure it's no wonder Cec never bothered to polish the car!

The Holden Special instrument panel - with its sparkling new trim, its deep, wide, locking glove box, its hooded dials - is both beautiful to look at and functional to use.

And what about that interior, in the Special you even got a lighter, arm rests, and a light! All decked out in that wondrous futuristic plastic... oops, I mean 'Elascofab'... "HOLDEN SPECIAL INTERIORS - Holden's new interiors give you more six passenger space than any other comparable car or station sedan. They give you a new look of luxury too, with the deep metallic brilliance of long-wearing, easy-cleaning "Elascofab" upholstery material. And Holden Special models take handsome care of your comfort and convenience... with foam-cushioned seats front and rear, cigarette lighter, assist straps (sedan only), coat hooks, courtesy light and front arm rests. On all models a large ashtray and controls for the plenum chamber ventilation system are mounted between the instrument cluster and glove box door." Whoa! What about that hey?