Ford vs Holden

The rivalry between Ford and Holden exploded back to 1960s when V8 Holdens and high-performance Fords battled it out neck-and-neck around Bathurst, but you may be surprised to learn the rivalry dates back much further than that,

For many Australians today, our love for Ford or Holden has been passed down from our fathers (or sometimes our mothers), but many ask the question – which is better?

Let’s take a step back in time to the very beginnings of the Australian automotive industry, and figure out whether it’s better to be red… or blue.

Red vs Blue?

In classic Ford vs Holden rivalry:

• Ford is Blue
• Holden is Red

This iconic colour coding hails from Australian motorsport – namely the Bathurst 1000 – where fans like your Mum and Dad (or Gramps and Grandma) would proudly wear blue for Ford or red for Holden.

The very beginnings of the Ford vs Holden rivalry

The seeds of the Ford vs. Holden rivalry date back to very beginning of the automobile industry in Australia, with the introduction of the Model T Ford in 1908.

Everything about the Model T Ford – from its price tag to its ease of use – earmarked it as a car for the people, not the elite. And the people spoke – by 1927 sales of the Model T Ford had surpassed 15 million worldwide.

In Australia, the Model T Ford arrived as a kit which was assembled by local dealers. That sounds crazy today, but crazy as it sounds a demonstration by Ford technicians showed the whole car could be assembled in only 150 minutes! Quicker than an IKEA flatpack!

Early drivers were initially somewhat confused by the new machine. Some spent several days trying to start it without realising petrol was required (Well, that’s Ford drivers for you!) Others spent years driving around in first gear because they didn’t realise they could, or should, change gears.

Driving itself was far from simple. Roads were little more than goat tracks. There were few mechanics, and no petrol stations.

Some hills were much too steep for the Ford, which necessitated driving up them in reverse allowing petrol to flow to the carburetor.

It was usually the car salesman who taught new owners how to drive, which proved problematic with farmers who expected the car to behave like a horse – namely staying on course once directed, and avoiding obstacles naturally.

Nonetheless, the Model T Ford quickly became popular in Australia. It was relatively simple in design, lightweight, and rugged.

Interestingly, the Model T Ford could easily be righted if overturned, and was also easy to maintain once an owner learned the basics. Unlike performance Fords and Holdens of today, the Model T Ford was very economical and reliable. It therefore suited Australia “to a T.”

The birth of Holden

The first Holden vehicle, with the help of General Motors, hit the market in 1948. Forty years after the Model T Ford.

Although it was originally developed in the US, the Holden 48-215 was locally manufactured and assembled in Australia. It is easy to understand why so many Australians took pride in buying a car which was made right here in Australia.

The Holden 48-215 was better suited to long-distance driving, and with 500 dealers popping up all over Australia also meant Holden owners felt safer setting off on long journeys.

Ford hits back at Holden

Ford sales suffered enormously after the introduction of the Holden 48-215.

As Ford had been importing materials (and were taxed heavily for doing so), they simply couldn’t compete with the price tag of the Holden. Ford therefore had to adapt, and fast.

As a result, in 1959 Ford opened their first factory in Melbourne, and the following year released a car many still love to this day – the brand new Ford Falcon.

The new Falcon was marketed as “Australian – with a world of difference”, pulling heart strings, and becoming an instant success.

Ford v Holden, unleashed at Bathurst!

The ultimate test for the Ford vs. Holden rivalry came in the form of a race track, and can be ultimately credited to a small-town Mayor who also happened to be a motor sport enthusiast.

In the mid-1930s, the Mayor of Bathurst, Martin Griffin, had a vision of a world-class race circuit carved into the hills surrounding his town.

Unfortunately, this was the middle of the Great Depression.

Money was scarce.

Mayor Griffin was nothing if not resourceful, and he managed to get funding from the Government by touting the race-style circuit as a “scenic tourist drive.”

After gaining the funding, a proposal was put forward by various parties to turn the Tourist Drive into a race circuit.

It’s believed Mayor Griffin was behind the proposal, and it was ultimately accepted by the Bathurst council.

Thus, in 1938 the first Bathurst race was held.

The race was so unexpectedly popular that the Bathurst township ran out of food, alcohol, and accommodation during the event.

Going head to head

Early race rules dictated that competing cars had to be manufactured, or at least assembled, in Australia. Although other cars did compete, the rules clearly put Ford and Holden at the forefront.

These race rules also specified that only standard road vehicles were allowed. The beauty of this was that people could watch the very same cars they owned race through Mount Panorama. The Bathurst race saw Ford and Holden regularly pitted against each other, and this truly cemented the marques into Aussie culture.

So, who comes out ahead in this Ford vs. Holden competition?

To date, Holden has taken the top spot at Bathurst a total of 32 times; Ford a total of 20 times.

Side note: Colour name rivalry!

Ford and Holden didn’t just compete on the all-important Bathurst race track, they also seemed to one-up each other in their colour names.

Some of Holden’s beauties include Berry Nice, Kermit Green, and Bunyip Bronze. Not to be outdone, Ford produced Purple Velvet, Vermillion Fire, and Banana Blush.

The Sandman and the Surferoo – The iconic panel van era

Ford and Holden’s bread and butter has always been the average Aussie. Much more than motorsport.

Both Ford and Holden endured for so long because they had their finger on the pulse of Aussie culture.

Enter the Holden Sandman and Ford Surferoo:

Holden Sandman

With bright panels, room for a mattress, and the privacy of no windows in the back, the Holden Sandman embodied everything that parents in the 1970s feared the most.

Unsurprisingly it was an overnight success which was helped along by no-holds barred advertising.

Gems included: “Suddenly your car becomes your personal pleasure machine” and “Lean, lithe and ready to go.”

The ultimate shag wagon.

Ford Surferoo

Ford naturally had their own answer, producing panel van variants similar to the Sandman, although these didn’t prove as popular.

The leading panel van from Ford was the Surferoo, which you could buy complete with curtains, carpet, and a mattress. To many Aussies, the Ford Surferoo became known as the “bedroom on wheels.”

Ford v Holden – A documentary movie

“Ford v Holden” is a 2023 Australian documentary film which dives into the legendary rivalry between the two automotive giants.

It’s a documentary well worth watching, exploring how the rivalry shaped Australian car culture, motorsport (especially Bathurst 1000), and also our national identity.

Told through interviews, archival footage, and fan stories, the film captures the passion of generations of Aussie car enthusiasts. It also reflects on Holden’s emotional exit from the market, marking the end of an era in Aussie automotive history.

It’s a nostalgic, gritty, and heartfelt look at Australia’s most iconic automotive feud.

Here’s a taster:

Are you Red or Blue?

This is just the tip of the Ford vs. Holden rivalry iceberg, but here at LD Motorsport we don’t discriminate – we have a love for both Ford and Holden alike!

But what’s your preference, and why?

What makes you so passionate about Ford, or Holden?

Let us know in the comments below!