Summary

General Motors-Holden, 'Family II', Four-Cylinder Engine, made in 1985. In 1979 the federal government decided to grant 'export credits' for local car manufacturers which would allow them to import more components and vehicles in return for increasing their export volume. In June 1981, General Motors-Holden (GM-H) opened a new 300 million dollar engine factory at Fishermans Bend, Melbourne to produce the cast-iron block 'Family II' 1.6 litre OHC four-cylinder engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI) to power General Motor's international J-Car platform. In Australia, the Family II engine was first fitted to the JB Camira released in 1982. It was later increased in size to 1.8 litres. The engine was primarily intended for export and over the next two years some 300,000 of the 350,000 units produced were shipped overseas, mostly to the United Kingdom and Germany. In the UK the engine was fitted to the Vauxhall Cavalier. In 1983, GM-H was Australia's leading exporter of manufactured products, mostly consisting of the Family II engine. One million units had been exported by 1988. The engine continued in production at Fishermans Bend into the 1990s however the GMH Engine Plant ceased production in 2009 after building nearly five million Family II engines in 94 variants.

The Museum's engine is a 1.8 litre, EFI unit, (engine no. 18jux25003754). It was donated to the Museum by General Motors-Holden in 1985 and was displayed in the 'Story of Victoria' exhibition at Swanston Street between 1985 and 1992.

Physical Description

1.8 litre, four cylinder, EFI unit, (engine no. 18jux25003754) Motor Car Engine, made by General Motors-Holden.

More Information