Holden and Ford didn't invent the Aussie six, these guys did.

Frederick Hugh Gordon and his forgotten company paved the way for vehicle manufacturing in Australia.

Australia is soon going to be without a car manufacturing industry, with the closure of Holden and Toyota's plants less than a month away.

Where did it all start though? You may not realise it was a relatively unknown company called Australian Motors.

An entrepreneur by the name Frederick Hugh Gordon was the man behind the brand and travelled to the USA during 1918 to meet with Louis Chevrolet.

Clarence, you must be the bee's knees in this. (image credit: The Wheels of steel)

The two negotiated to import parts such as the engine, gearbox, differentials and radiator from the States to our shores to be assembled locally.

Most parts were redesigned to help cope with the harsh Australian conditions, but after a few years the car was made up of 75 per cent Aussie components. This led the company to use the motto "Made in Australia, by Australians, for Australians."

Production began in 1919 at Gordon's personal workshop in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney. It didn't take long until his operation moved west to a larger facility in Ashfield, the largest factory of its kind in Australasia at the time.

My word, we sure are pumping out a lot cars good chaps. (image credit: Scratching Sydney's Surface)

Australian Motors had a workforce of 200, which mainly consisted of returned WWI soldiers who over six years created a total of six different body types.

This included a four-door, a two-seat convertible and an eight-seater which was favoured as a hire car. 

All bodytypes shared the same 1920s style, there was two round headlights and a radiator grille that looked similar to those fitted to Roll-Royce vehicles.

Engine wise, the Rutenber straight six was nothing to write home about but produced enough power (21kW) to propel the car up to 64km/h.

I say 64hp? It must go like the clappers. (image credit: Powerhouse Museum Collection)

Production ground to a halt in 1925 thanks to a number of financial issues and even a factory fire. Only 500 Australian Sixes were built, however time has claimed the majority and 16 examples still remain, most of which are in museums.

This could of been a different story if the Government backed Australian Motors, however they wanted nothing to do with it. Instead it took another 23 years before our Government provided Holden with assistance to eventually become the country's number one car manufacturer.

What do you think of the Australian Six? Was it a missed oppurtinity to launch the country's car industry earlier? Let us know in the comments.