Joe - you say: "Given that toughness, go-anywhere ability, low cost repairs and affordability were the most critical requirements in nations with undeveloped road networks, it is fair to declare that the FE Holden was the best of its type in the world. The crisp styling, which added a touch of US glamour and was up to a decade ahead of European rivals, plus its easy going and frugal six cylinder engine, were a bonus." I think there was one to better the FE. Released around the same time, the M21 Volga from the Soviet Union filled most of that criteria, except perhaps affordability. The ones I saw in the early '70s in Eastern Europe and Russia were the toughest cars I've ever seen. The steel was thick, they were robust and built to withstand extremes of temperatures we can't imagine. Also they were expected to survive with minimal maintenance. Of course the people who made them didn't have to answer to any shareholders - just the system itself. I've heard that the instruction manual it explains how to distill petrol from potatoes and get them to run. Certainly the octane rating was in the 70s when we were there. Apparently the sight of one of these idling outside your house at 3.00 am induced a clenching of the buttocks! Coming toward you, they reminded me of an FE Holden - the later M24 Volgas introduced in 1970 had a very HR look to them. Unlike the FE they were in production for about 15 years. Still plenty around and have become very collectible in their own country. No microchips or computer electronics to worry about - evidently they just keep on going.