Front-Line Heritage: A 1954 Holden FX Army Ute at Lloyds’ National Classic Auction

Some classics wear chrome. Others wear history. Few wear both as convincingly as this 1954 Holden FX Army Ute, a fully restored military-spec survivor that blends early Holden motoring with the grit of Australian defence history. Now heading to the Lloyds Classic, Muscle & Barn Finds Auction (29 November 2025), this FX Army Ute is one of the standout consignments—rare, correct, and steeped in provenance.

Below, we unpack the vehicle’s backstory, its standing in the collectible-car world, and the fine print of the auction itself.

Why the FX Army Ute Matters: A Snapshot of History & Collectability

Before the FJ, before the Torana, before the Sandman panel van more than earned its place on bedroom posters, there was the FX—officially the Holden 48-215, but widely known as the model that kick-started Australia’s local car industry. Launched in 1948, it became the nation’s first mass-produced family car and defined the Australian motoring landscape for a generation.

Where the Army Utes Fit Into the Story

By the early ’50s, the FX platform had proven itself durable enough for farming, freight and—crucially—military service. The Commonwealth commissioned a fleet of FX utilities under GMH Production Option 240, built with special fittings and stripped-back interiors suitable for light-duty Army needs.
Their jobs weren’t glamorous: personnel shuttles, airfield service roles, training-ground transport. And because they worked hard and lived outdoors, most were used up, worn out and scrapped.

That scarcity is a big driver of their desirability today. Among Holden enthusiasts, the military FX sits in the same “rare-spec specialist” niche occupied by unusual build codes and low-production commercial variants. When you also factor in the shadow army of collectors chasing anything with a Rising Sun or C.M.F. marking, the pool of people wanting them far outnumbers the pool of surviving examples.

Why This One Ranks Highly With Collectors

This specific ute ticks boxes that make collectors lean forward:

• Documented provenance, including a feature in Don Loffler’s Still Holden Together—a credential that’s essentially the Holden historian’s seal of authenticity.

• Full nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration, executed with military fidelity (canvas, fittings, markings and paint all match period specs).

• Correct GMH 240 features, from troop seating to jerry-can mounts and radio suppression gear.

• Odometer showing just 223 miles, typical for a restored vehicle used sparingly.

• Matching 138ci “Grey” six, the engine that powered an entire era of Australian motoring.

FX prices have climbed steadily over the past decade, particularly for factory-correct utes. Restored military-spec versions occupy a micro-category of their own—rare enough that they seldom hit the open market. When they do, they often command strong interest from both Holden collectors and military-vehicle enthusiasts alike.

Takeaway: If the FX is an Australian icon, the Army FX is the limited-edition variant—scarce, documented, and increasingly recognised as a piece of cultural and defence heritage.

This Example: A Military-Correct Restoration Done With Care

Built in Woodville, South Australia, this ute (Body No. 511) has been restored to represent a 3rd Division C.M.F. vehicle, complete with:

• Deep Bronze Green unpolished paint, inside and out

• Dusky Beige steering wheel and Copper Brown PVC trim

• Auxiliary rear troop seat

• Roll-up canvas canopy with three bows

• Fuel-cap chain, jerry-can holder, fire extinguisher mount, external mirrors

• 12-volt system disguised as original 6-volt equipment

• Minimalist period-correct dash (no ashtray, no radio, no fuss)

The markings—gold crossed swords with Rising Sun badge and Roman numeral “III” on red—reflect the 3rd Division C.M.F., supported by the Formation sign of Australian Army Headquarters.

It’s a ute restored not just to look right, but to feel right.

Auction Details: When & Where to Bid

This FX Army Ute is part of Lloyds’ national multi-state classic auction:

• Auction: Lloyds Classic, Muscle & Barn Finds

• Date: 29 November 2025, 12:00pm AEDT

• Format: Australia-wide online auction

• Location of vehicle: 60 Marple Avenue, Villawood, NSW

• Lloyds stock number: 581912+1

• Price guide: $50,000–$65,000

• GST: Not applicable (vendor not registered)

• Registration: Sold unregistered, standard for classic auctions

• Inspection contact: Gavin – 0455 500 400

Given its level of restoration, provenance, and model rarity, expect attention from serious collectors—particularly those with a soft spot for early Holden history or military-spec vehicles.

Our Take

The FX is the beginning of Holden. The Army FX is the obscure chapter that rarely gets retold. This 1954 example brings both stories together in a single, beautifully restored piece of machinery. It’s the kind of vehicle that attracts conversation at a car show, reverence at a Holden club meet, and proper bidding energy at auction.

For collectors seeking something that blends national history with motoring nostalgia, this is a standout listing.

Old-school muscle? No.
Australian heritage? Absolutely.

And that’s why this one will draw eyes—and bidders.