FE 1957 - Breton Blue/Teal Blue - 327, T700, modified chassis - original body

[fe350chev]

I have purchased an unmolested, truly authentic piece of aussie motoring history and have finally made a start on building the car I have always wanted to do from scratch. For some reason I like the slighly less American looking FE over the FC, even though the FC has a bit more of a Chev look imo with all the fancy trims.

So, here we go, on a journey that most of you blokes have already taken!

[fe350chev]

Here is my project, a 1957 FE Special Sedan.

Body: FE 225-10554M
Trim: 238-704
Paint 253-7447
Repo: 253-7478

Interior is Cosmos Grey/Summit Blue.
Paint: Breton Blue/Teal roof

The car has been in a shed for last 20 years. Previous owner's son lost interest due to the chassis and floor being badly corroded (no worse than most others I have seen that are completely original and not kept well).

[fe350chev]

Got the car into the garage after making room. I am about to build a new house on 10 acres next door. I've done all the subdivision with my toys myself! so Ill be a busy boy next year.

[fe350chev]

Some more pics.

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Well fewithrb30 you have a challenge ahead of you. Hopefully over time you will be able to preserve another piece of history.


Welcome to the forum and I do believe that you have set some type of record for the most posts in a very short space of time.

Love the passion and good luck. :)

Rgds Wayne

[fe350chev]

Just got in from the shed, took off the bonnet, boot and gutted all the floor mats etc from boot area and gave a good vacuum. To my surprise even with hefty use of a small screwdrive, I could not find any holes in the spare tyre well or the rear guard inners! The fuel tank has a fair bit of fuel in it and looks pretty solid from underneath and good on top. I expected to find that a screwdriver would go through after removing the sealants etc.

The engine sounds sweet, might do a compression test before I take her out, a wet and dry one!

I got the half inch rattle gun out and turned it down to small torque and rattled bolts off here and there. That makes it much easier! My youngest son Corey started on removing the front grille and knobs and brushing her down inside. The car is very very original. Pity the weekend is over again and work gets in the way of the important things  :-\

Pls feel free to tell me whether this is good or bad on the scale of what an original fe should look like,

cheers

[fe350chev]

Period Smiths heater, made in England. Wow, something not made in Japan or China! Unusual for blokes my age to see this  :(

[FCRB26]

all the rust and stain around and under the car is from  people leaving them in the long grass or grass growing up around them makes a mess of them.



Good to see your using my old girl as inspiration i pulled it out of a shed covered in crap and all i did was polish it best 6 grand i ever spent.

Heres a before pic




Pete

[fe350chev]

After ride-on mowing a few acres after work,  amongst 2 billion odd hoppers, I finally got a late start stripping the front end. Interesting how the grille goes together. How pedantic do people get, like do people doing an original body build keep old bolts and clean them up or use new ones? Does it matter to a keen ole owl when you go to shows later etc??? ???
Cheers in advance.
Deano

[fe350chev]

What build number is yours FCHOON?  What state etc? What are the 3 top features to have in a special sedan and what are rare features? Obviously rust is not a rare feature ha ha  :D

[hrpremier]

Hey Fewith.

Where abouts are you.  I recognise that go-kart.  If you're 3.5hrs from Melb I am thinking you're in Horsham and the kart you have belonged to Matt J from Mount Gambier.

I've just moved to Mt G from Cairns (with my FC) and next time Im in western vic for karts would love to catch up and look at your FE.  Although it may be a big project it certainly looks like you will have a real gem on your hands once its complete.

hrpremier

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

My recommendation is keep everything, photograph it, bag it and tag it. You never know.

Regards


Wayne

[fe350chev]

Yeah that's right about the kart.

[fe350chev]

As u can see Wayne, ppl are probably sick of my photos but the more photos the more records I have of the car before dismantle.

[FCRB26]

Mine has police numbers So i have no idea  ???


Might be why it was so cheap? ;D





Word round the traps is that it was a 2 owner car before i got it and it came from telarah about 15min from my house and was told it was a sydney car.

Who knows they could be sisters one is just uglier than the other at the moment.

Also grille is easier to take the whole lot out then strip it.

When you get to your guards read the shop manual they are hard getting the top bolts inside the cab use a really long 1/4 drive extension and a 11 mm socket or 7/16 and a swivel on the end.

[GOA350]

I would suggest you keep all the bolts and nuts and try and pull everything apart without damaging it. Even if something is really rusty, it might still do for a template or just to identify what you need at rares or a swapmeet. Try not to change panels if you can, because not every panel fits the same on every car, if the doors fitted your car well then just get the rust fixed and the doors will still fit well. Don't throw anything out before you ask people on here first, then they can tell you if you might need it further down the track.
Good luck with the build, it looks like you are having some fun with it. If you want to know if this is standard for an original car, just go and have a look what i started with, with my FC, and it might give you some indication. Look under Hayshed FC in the projects section. I also sent you a PM.
cheers Scotty

[fe350chev]

Thanks for the advice. thats one reason i bought it cos the panel fit is superb.

[fe350chev]

.

[fe350chev]

Went to Melbourne today for some parts.

[fe350chev]

Hey GAO350, how did you go getting rego