FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

The Vic contingent of 10 FE FC Holdens will leave Melbourne Sunday 1st April (hmmmm, does that tell you something?) 7.45 am for the drive across the Nullarbor.

For me the preparation began in January, and I know the others have done similar ...........

New radiator – check, 3.55 Diff fitted – check, recon gearbox – check, new wheel bearings – check, new unis – check, balance wheels – check, first convoy meeting – check, accommodation booked – check, (thanks Min) pack up necessary spare parts – check, extra spare wheel – check, cruise control fitted – check, cup holder made – check, Tear Drop Caravan organised – check, second convoy meeting – check, print itinerary – check, (thanks Steve) pack Tear Drop – check, pack Ute - check, pack clothes – check, pack food n drinks – check, UHV radio – check, First aid kit – check, tools – check, GPS – check, music for the trip – check, camera – check, I think we’re ready.

I'll be travelling in this.   ;D

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/Reds%20Tear%20Drop/zzzIMG_5443.jpg)

We'll keep you posted with pics along the way when we get WiFi connection.

Kevin

Does your cruise control consist of a OKY strap ... ;D

We'll have the UHF radio on Channel 40.

How many others will have UHF?

I meant UHF .... I couldn't find where to edit it.   ::)

My Cruise Control is an AP 60 Cruise Control (available on ebay or Autobarn)

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290689149872

Supercheap had them for $200 recently as a special. I got mine from Autobarn for $229.  Easy to fit and works a treat.   ;D

Packing the FC on Saturday and hope it all fits. 2 more sleeps :o
Back to the footy
Tony.

Happy cruising to everybody heading to the Nats, wish I was there.

Speaking of cruise control.....

My first trip across the Nullarbor was in 1970 (all dirt/rocks/wombats) in an auto EK wagon enroute from Toowoomba to Dampier.
After the first half a day it was time to fit cruise control.
I removed the choke butterfly, and pulled the choke knob out till it ran along nicely at 50 mph.
Mind you, there was VERY little other traffic so stopping in a hurry was not a priority.
So I cruised happily, sometimes with both legs stretched along the front seat, sometimes with a leg or two out the window, whatever took my fancy. (very cool, if a bit irresponsible.) ;D
But it relieved the killer boredom, and I arrived safely.

I wish you all a safe journey.
Cheers,
GAZ

Well the FC is loaded up with no room to spare. Had to down size my tent to make it all fit.
Bed time soon 1 more sleep  ::)
Cheers,
 Tony.

It's so quiet here! I'm reading all the posts and jealously wishI was there. The Vic's have made it to Horsham without mishap which is surprising as Tony's tyres looked almost flat on the drivers side because he has so much stuff!
Safe travelling everyone and keep up the posts
Dina

I'm going to get Fred to get me a Cruise control for the trip back.  Sounds like more fun sticking my legs out the window then flashing the truck drivers to get them to wave. 

carzy day today, very hot weather and extremly windy. wind was palying havoc with my sunvisor. We have all arived safetly at cenduna. All the best for everyone else.
tony.

drive safe tony... ;)
you will enjoy a cold beer at the end of every day....

Dina, it must be so peaceful at home, wish you were coming too. We're just enjoying breakfast on the esplanade at esperence, how's the serenity?  8)

 ::) We have made it to Coolgardie - 560kms out of Perth - All 8 cars have done really well - bugs splattered accordingly.  Survived dust storms, wind, fog & amazing amount of road kill.  We have seen a dude skate boarding on the Nullabour towards the SA border.  I have driven over 2000 kms - then Jeff (my Co-driver) - gets pulled up for a breathalizer - as did the Pirotta's & Cat (15kms past the SA border).  Min & Steve did not get breathalised.  All was good, had a good chat to the female police officer, we saw heaps of R & S series Valiants heading back towards SA border the entire trip.  If all goes to plan we will be in Perth mid afternoon on Thursday the 5th - Cheers Tony (& Vic Crew).

Looking forward to catching up with you all soon

Did you notice you see very few dead Roos on the South Aust side of the border. Then theres an instant increase in roadkill after the checkpoint ?

 8) 8) 8)

Hi Guys & Gals,

I hope you all make it safely to WA and have a great Nationals. Happy Easter from Derrick and Family :D

Arrived safely at Perth.   ;D  WE had gear box problems after leaving Adelaide.  Oil leaking out of the main seal which caused me to have to top up every 4 hours driving or twice a day. BUGGER  >:(  otherwise performed OK for the entire journey.  Pics to follow when I get them on Photobucket.

Kevin

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010815.jpg)
Group photo - ready to leave Melbourne

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010824.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010829.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010837.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010838.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010840.jpg)
Are we there yet????

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010851.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010861.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010902.jpg)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010940.jpg)
Changing the gear box - locals are soooooo helpful

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1010944.jpg)
The happy (NOT!!!) workers.  Three hours to WA Nationals HQ.

Sadly the change over gear box was not a success, the sincros are shot and even double de-clutching does not help much.  So another box must be sourced [HELP!!! anyone] and changed over for the return drive home after Easter.

Cheers, Kevin

hi everyone
love the updates hope you are all having fun! Shame about the gearbox Kevin but you will be right over their with all like minded FE FC nutters. How did all the grey motors go? No overheating problems?
Brett

Hey Kevin

Glad you all got here ok
Looks like you all had a great trip

I have a couple of gearboxes...however they are untried...but if you get stuck let me know

Cheers
Gary

0417 919 742

Thanks Gary, I'll talk to you at the Nationals. I'll be at the HQ around 4.30pm Friday.  ;D

Kevin

how much fun can you have in a old holden....
enjoy..... ;)

Keep up the posts and pics,  have a great holiday and safe trip back.

Have fun all you guys, have a beer or two for me. Wish we were there but then again if we were there I wouldn't have got my project car painted! Enjoy your Nats, Cheers, Jack

Back in Perth have traveled 6000k so far with no problems off to the speed way tonite and on the Indain Pacific tommorow for our next adventure. This has been a great Nats and WA is a great place.
Bring on Tassie.
Tony,Kara,Scott and Jorad

Well everyone as you all know Tony and myself and the kids are still living the dream and travelling all over the south of WA. Today i ticked another box of things to do that cant be done over our side of Australia.
 Today we went to Barbagallo raceway to just have a look around and get familiar with the circiut lay out for when i am watching the V8 Supercars in a couple of weeks time. While we were there the HSV owners club WA was having a drive day so we walked around and talked to some of the owners and watched them doing some laps. We were lucky enough to see the Steve & Jim Richards Bathurst winning Castrol commodore doing some laps aswel. As we were about to leave and do some more touring, the cars were having a lunch break, so i thought that if i speak to the clarke of the course i might be in with a chance to do a lap of the track. So while Tony was relieving himself i wandered over and introduced myself and told him how i had driven my FC over from Victoria and how it would be fantastic to do a lap of the circiut in the FC, seeing i had travelled all this way. Well i was stoked when he said no problem, how many do you want to do. So i took off and got the car and Tony and the kids and said get in, we are going for a ride, they said where, and i told them for a lap around the track. They didnt believe me until we started down pit lane then onto the track.

 Well after 3 laps and plenty of laughs and fun and revving out of the Grey motor we came off the track and thanked the clarke of the course and took plenty of photos at the gates of the track and around the track. Once we had done this we were off touring again.
 This is another race track that i have driven around, not too many more to go now.




  LIVING THE DREAM
    Scotty

Ha Ha! Love it Scotty. Brilliant!

Hey Scotty... that is awsome, well done and enjoy the moment.

regards

The Weddo's

You never know if you don't ask, eh?

Great stuff.

Home at last.  ;D  Apart from the gear box, no other dramas.  I can recommend fitting a cruise control, it worked a treat!!!!

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020281.jpg)
Marek Bros Garage in Kellerberrin, W.A.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020288.jpg)
One of many road pics.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020311.jpg)
Ken & Yvonne (NSW) pass us. We caught up with them at Norseman and again at Madura.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020315.jpg)
Madura - check out the Ute back on this pick-up!!!!

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020383.jpg)
The Great Australian Bight.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020388.jpg)
Another road pic.  GPS was invaluable.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020395.jpg)
One of the many warning signs.  The "gay" camel raised a few laughs.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020398.jpg)
"Are we there yet?" 294kms to Ceduna.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020401.jpg)
Cruising on 95kph .... all's good!!!!

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020429.jpg)
Plaque in Port Wakefield S.A.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020328.jpg)
Old Telegraph Station at Eucla. 4kms off the highway now on a really rough rocky road.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/redmr2red/2012%20Nationals%20WA/P1020434.jpg)
Tribute to A. L. "Possum" Kipling in Port Wakefield.

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Holden Dealership in Dimboola, Vic.

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Display wall at the Holden Dealership, Dimboola.

An FC mated to a '40 pickup, or is it a jailbar  :D :D

How cool does it look what an idea something i have never seen done but it matches the body style.


The old folden trick..

We are getting closer to home in Robe South Aus the train trip on the Indian Pacific was great  FC are cruising well. As Scott said  we are living a dream. Cheers Tony                                                                                                       

Spotto!!  These two FCs in Port Fairy this morning

(http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x198/jack_fc/IMG_1136.jpg)

(their drivers both looked a little weary - must have been from all that driving...  ;))

Our journey has ended.  After 26 days on the road - travelled over 4,100 miles and said goodbye to Scott & Jarrod McKenzie at Geelong.  I arrived home at 7.30pm.  Both FC's (Scott's and mine) didn't miss a beat.

Thanks to Jack and Rita for their hospitality; putting us up for the night, lots of food and alcohol and showing us the sights of Port Fairy this morning.

Thanks to all for a great time.  Looking forward to Tassie.

Cheers, Tony & Kara

Well it is with much sadness that i write this note.
 After having practically travelled the whole South Coast of Australia and done the whole Trains, Plains and Automobiles thing, we finally arrived back at 10.30pm in Granya to a very warm welcome.
Why Holden decided to build the red motor instead of improving the Grey is beyond me. These 2 FC's of Tony's and mine were perfect in every way. Once your bum got used to the seat, they were great fun to drive and created enthusiasm where ever they went. The 2 clowns driving them also created a lot of turmoil and enthusiasm as well. Without these cars the trip would not have been as much fun, for sure.
 To Tony and Kara,
 thanks very much for your companionship and mateship along the journey. Jared and i have enjoyed the whole time we were together and will never forget the time we had together. The laughs at your pronunciation of some of the towns was worth the trip alone.

Well to all who travelled with us for part of the journey or for the whole of the journey, Jared and I thank you very much.(that includes the guys in the Villa at the nationals).
 A very special mention to Jack and Rita for the exceptional hospitality you both showed towards us when we stayed with you in Port Fairy. The Casserole and Apple Crumble were to die for.
Jack's knowledge of the town is something that needs to be documented some where, thanks for the tour.

This trip was a once in a life time experience for a Father and Son and can not recommend it more to anyone who is thinking about doing it.

A final massive thank you to the WA club for putting on, what some would consider, the best Nationals ever. Without the Nationals we wouldn't have done the trip, so once again THANK YOU.

Tony and Kara, Scott and Jared; the pleasure was all ours!

Great to share your pics and tales of the Nationals and the travel there and back  :)

You and your families are welcome back here any time...  :) :)

cheers, Jack and Rita

After 6 weeks away we finally made it back home  :)

What a fantastic experience, driving a 54 year old Holden across Australia and back. Chris and I enjoyed almost every minute.... the exception being when the Starter motor failed near Denmark and a blocked main jet 1/2 way across the Nullarbor.

Our choice of accommodation worked well - the Camper Trailer suited our style of travel well although Lily certainly felt the extra load.

Spending time with our fellow travellers greatly enhanced the experience as well, it was suprising how many times we met up with people like Lester & Chris Hilli, Fred & Candy, Graham & Andrea, Margret & Geoff let alone the rest of the VIC contingent. With everyone sharing their good experiences with places to see or stay it meant we stayed and saw places we probably would have bypassed. An example was Fraser Range Station Caravan Park - we just drove passed on the way towards Perth but after several recommendations we stopped there on the way back - a fantastic place, beautiful views and great camaraderie with fellow travellers.

We both greatly enjoyed the Nationals - and agree with the many comments congratulating the WA Club, the Nationals were excellent. MWe would like to add our thanks to Gary, Suferboy and the rest of the WA Club.

Some finals stats from our trip:

• 6200 miles (10 000km)
• 341 gallons (1550 litres)
• $2665 Fuel cost & 18.2 miles/gallon average

Now time to start planning for the Tassy Nats...

Trevor & Chris Black

Good to hear you 2 have made it back from being "on the wallaby" for a while with only a couple of minor setbacks

Cheers, Gary

Well done Trevor and Chris - a wonderfull journey and thanks for your blog so we could all be part of it.

See you in Tassie

regards

The Weddo's