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I am offering my FE UTILITY, known as BEN BATES to the Market. Posting here before moving to "Cars for Sale". More photos to follow, as I am having difficulty adding all photos in one post. This ute, with its CHALLENGE CANOPY by Canopy Industries, was one of a fleet of 10 used to deliver bread to the WOY-WOY district on the Central Coast of NSW ,back "in the day". This one was used as a fill in, when one of the others was being serviced. The servicing Mechanic purchased it because it had the lowest odometer reading. The ute was then stored @ Bathurst until I purchased it in 2000. This is a high end restoration, with everything being replaced or rebuilt. I have upgraded the vehicle to "Street driven " specs to make it more suitable as a regularly driven Club ute. These upgrades include: Radial tyres, seat belts, VH44 Power Brakes, Indicators, period,under dash Commuter IV Air Conditioner, Alternator, original Radio rebuilt to receive AM/FM & ipod connectivity, as well as 2 speed electric wipers & w/screen washers. The grey motor has been fully rebuilt, [now run-in] & is great to drive. I have added an internal Venetian since this photo was taken. Ben Bates was driven to the 2014, 14th FE/FC Nationals in Hobart, where it was awarded "GRAND CHAMPION STREET". This is a reluctant sale, as my Modified Ute has been removed from this Forum. Ben needs to find a new owner who recognises the quality of the Restoration & has the ability to preserve it into the future. Inspection will not disappoint, as I believe this to be one of the top surviving examples of this model. Seeking offers over $45K. I will meet & return Interstate viewers to either Ballina or Gold Coast Airports. Contact via this Forum. Kevin.
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The "STORY" of BEN BATES is explained on the original door, of the FE ute in which I was a passenger in 1958. Kevin.
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14th FE/FC HOLDEN NATIONALS HOBART 2008.
Hobart Nationals 2014, NOT 2008, as I incorrectly posted..... getting 2 old!!!!!.
Wow ..What a beautiful restoration ,certainly unique one of a kind of vehicle Kevin ..It will go to a new caring home I am sure ,,Cheers Vern .
Difficult to calculate the value of this vehicle down the track, now that "The General" has flown the coop.
This vehicle has been withdrawn from sale & is now back in the Museum.
Advising that this vehicle has been sold . Kevin