My FC_1958 and friend

[fc_1958]

My first car was an FC. It ended up parked around a power pole back in 77.

As time went on I always wanted to get another one.

During 2000 I dragged a trailer to Mildura, 560 km from here. After examining the  car, which was advertised "with the usual rust for it's age and only needs the clutch master cylinder to drive". I enquired of the seller how is it possible to weld new sills to totally rusted pillars,how do I weld up 7" holes in 2 of the doors and how does it run with a non existing manifold or carby?

"Just needs a bit of work son and she'll be as good as new"

Not having the knowledge of welding rust to rust and being concerned that all that would remain on the trailer by the time I got home would be the block and a mountain of rust, I kindly declined his reduced price.

So disappointed, I dragged the empty trailer back home.

Well imagine my surprise when the following week I spotted an old registered FC with a For Sale sign at my works car park.

She only had 2 weeks of rego left so I managed to talk the guy down in price.

I went to pick up the car that Friday, when the old fellar points to the shed and says aint you gona take the other  one in there for parts. It was part of the negotiations however I did not read that far down when I spotted "Old Betsy" with the for sale sign. I felt guilty  ;D (sort off for talking him down)

However it was the quickest time ever that a trailer was organised!

So here we are four years down the track. Old Bettsy is still on the road and now I want to get her mate road worthy.  

I plan to keep her standard ( grey motor), however I will use her as the "Test Bench" for the twin carbs, if they work out I will transplant them to Betsy.
 
So bear with me whilst I pick your brains for some technical advice as I go along.

Andrew

[Martin]

Great story, Andrew.  Betsy looks like a great find, even without her mate.  Looks like 2 good restorers.  

The talents on this site will get you through the job.  There ain't nothin' these blokes don't know.

Good luck.

Martin

[20.4_seconds]

Hey Andrew,
Cool pics and story, love the bonus car  ;)
Welcome aboard and enjoy the site...
Nick

[Ed]

Andrew,

Cool story,

heaps of info here

Cheers

Ed

[Blown_FC]

Sh*t Andrew....if you don't believe in fate now, then there's something wrong.

That's the best case of " Things happen for a reason" I've heard of for a while.

Well done on being gutsy enough to say NO to the first car, even after all the effort gone in.  It has surely paid off for you.

Cheers

Mark

[COL58FE]

G'day Andrew,
Good find, I think the look on your face :o would have been priceless when he told you that you can also take it's twin as well.
Good luck with the resto.
Cheers Col.

[minifcvan]

hi mate,you must of been the bloke who brought my car back then,i was going to buy it of a bloke in ashmont (suburb of wagga for those who dont know) went and had a look at it and went back to buy it 2days later and it was gone :-[ :'( any way you got a good car i was wondering what happened to it. good to see it stay local.so if i would of got that i wouldnt have my van now.. good luck with your car mark ;D ;D

[fc_1958]

Hi Mark (minifcvan)

Yes that was me driving away with the trophy  ;D ;D

As Mark (Blown_FC) says - Fate!!


And you might want to remember one of my sayings "fancy the people you meet when you don't have a gun" :D :D

Andrew

[customFC]

Hey Andrew.
It's a good thing you didn't know about the friend in the shed, you probably would have ended up paying more.
Looks like the donor car has already transplanted her bonnet to 'old Betsy'.
Since you have 2, you can have 1 mild and 1 wild.
Regards
Alex