Han

I'm not sure that I agree with your change points.  For smooth, economical, ordinary driving, I reckon:
1st to 2nd:  10-15mph
2nd to 3rd:  Around 25mph.

I have heard that you got to let these awesome grey motors rev a bit. Yes???

NO.  The standard grey is not a little Japaneses buzz-box that needs to rev to get moving.  The engine develops its torque low down in the rev range (maximim torque is developed at 1,400 rpm) and the car will pull away comfortably from 20 mph (or less) in top gear.  Therefore, you can get into top gear at a relatively low speed and stay there all day.

You don't need to thrash this motor.

Martin

If it sounds too good to be true ...

Will, 

PM sent.

Martin

Seems like you all missed the point that he described it as a grill badge..  It's a long way from the front of the car to the rear quarter!!   

Martin

Jason,

wouldn't that diff theory also hold true for the gearbox?

Martin

[3 digit plates]

I went to the SA Gopvernment number plate auction today.  White on black numerical - SA's 1st style of plate, until a change to alpha-numeric in the mid-1960s.

Here's what happened:

40 plates were offered at auction: 10 x 3 digit - 10 x 4 digit, 10 x 5 digit and 10 x 6 digit

39 plates were sold - one passed in.

3 digit plates
10 sold.  Highest price paid $15,800, lowest $10,000, average $12,100

4 digit plates
9 sold. Highest $8,400.  Lowest $5,300.  Average $6,700.  The plate that was not sold was passed in at $4,900.  In my opinion it wasn't a special number:  SA 6420.  I'd suggest the reserve was $5,000

5 digit plates
10 sold.  Highest $7,400.  Lowest $3,600.  Average $4,770

6 digit plates
10 sold.  Highest $7,000.  Lowest $3,300.  Average $4,950

What really steams me is that the genuine preservers of SAs motoring history had to bid against wankers with pockets full of money so they could put B&W plates on their Mercs or their Nissan Skylines.

In all, the government grabbed $279,400 (gross) from this sale.

What also steams me is that at least 4 of the numbers sold (e.g. 989-989,  838-838) have never (to my knowledge) been previously issued in SA.  I am happy to be corrected, but I believe that SA numbers never went higher that the 500-000 series (i.e. 599-999)

In my opinion, people who have a genuine interest in a specific number (e.g. the original numer of the car, or it will attach to a car of the relevant period) should be able to acquire the number at a reasonable price.

(Note:  I had no interest in this auction other than as an observer.  I have my B&W plate and don't want another)

Martin

Well, I wonder what I've got??!!   

Maybe it's just "old" and "not-quite-as-old"   

Martin

Hey Alex,

Good pics (as usual).  You sure you're not recycling last year's pics??   

Martin

RET,

I've got 2 shades of (Skyline) blue on my car. (The headlight peaks were repaired many moons ago and the front guards repainted. If both are Skyline blue, then I suspect the earlier (1958) version is a lighter blue, while the 1959 version seems to be a tad darker (a bit more grey in it?).  Is this correct - cos I like what I think is the 1958 colour better and I'm about to do the guards (again) and the bonnet.

Thanks,

martin

So, Will, you've done all the homework and have got all the answers.  So what is your question about:

...when we get round to joining will it be a hassle for paperwork and the likes if it stays in her name??

When you get around to joining what?  If you're asking about joing the FE-FC Club, then I've answered that from the point of view historic registration. The owner of the car must be a club member. Anybody with an interest in FEs and FCs can join the SA club, whether the person is an owner or not.  Why not join up now?  We are at the beginning of the new club year.  PM me if you want more details about the SA club.

Martin

Sometimes I'm a bit surprised about what people write on this forum, particularly when it comes to, maybe, bending the rules.  Keep in mind that this a a public forum and anybody who wants to look has access to it.

Martin

Dave,

The genuine king pin replacement kit is part no. 7405149 for all models 48/215 through to FC (and probably beyond).  The king pin itself is part no. 7400106.

While your set may ne NOS, they are not the genuine animal.  I'm not aware of any Holden part numbers prefixed by "Z"

Martin

Let's get back to Will's original question:  the car is currently registered with the original number remaining on the car.  This is a completely different situation to buying a plate at auction and the agreement that is signed when the plates are purchased.

The practice in SA is that when a car with the old-style plates is transferred to a new owner, the old number is forfeited and a new-style number (alpha-numeric) is issued.  When I bought Jim 6 years ago, it had the original plates on it. At the time (the rules are now a bit different), all I had to do was get a letter from the previous owner saying he had no further interest in the old number and attach it to the application for the number, pay up my $650- (ouch!! - for nothing!!!), sign a new agreement and I got the number back again.

The problem in Will's case is that as the number has been on the car since new, I really doubt that Ma-in-law would have that current "agreement" form in place. (If you look at the link, you'll see that the agreement includes the right for the owner to transfer rights to the number.)

If she doesn't have that agreement in place, then regardless of whether or not Ma-in-law leaves the car and the plates to Will in her will, I reckon that the Department here will grab the plates when the car is transferred after her death and the only way Will will (no, I'm not stuttering   ) be able to keep them is to bid at auction to get them - and I believe (but am not certain) that bidding starts at $2,000-

What a bloody rip off

I hope I'm wrong, Will, but I don't like your chances.  Just keep Ma-in-law alive    

And if you take that path (keeping the car registered in her name) and want the car on Historic Vehicle Registration, then Ma-in-law will have to be a member of an authorised club (FE-FC Holden Car Club of SA, for instance)

DO NOT make enquiries about the rules for historic vehicle registration requirements at the Registrar of Motor Vehciles. They will not know.  The Historic Rego scheme in SA is administered by the Federation of Historic Motoring Clubs on behalf of the Department of Transport.  The FE-FC Club is affliated with the Federation.  Talk to your club's Historic Registration representative.

Martin

Clark Rubber have a profile that looks much like the Rares door seals, but the sealing section lies flatter - it fits well on that section at the base of the "A" pillar.  It doesn't bulge out, and it does seal - we drove through a hell of a rain storm for quite a distance out of Mildura on the way home from Orange, and my newly-fitted door seals didn't let any water in.  I was very pleased.

Good descrriptive post and pics, Mustard.

Martin

I reckon I open my Parts Catalogue more than I use the Workshop Manual.  Great exploded views of a lot of stuff.  In my opinion, get one.

Martin

Terrific little segment, OR.  Thanks

Martin

A 2007 study found that the  average Australian walks about 900 miles a year.

Another study  found that the average Australian drinks 22 gallons of Wine a year.   

That means the average Australian gets about 41 miles per  gallon.

Bloody good mileage, that!

Stinky,

My stock FC:

On the trip Adelaide to Orange and then the various movements on Saturday and Sunday:
Total distance:  820 miles (1,320km) - 26.0 m.p.g. (10.9 l/100km)

Prior to the trip home, I checked the engine bay and found a couple of loose manifold studs & rear nut.  The thing was sucking air.

On the trip home, via Bathurst, West Wyalong & Renmark:
Total distance:  850 miles (1,368km)  -  27.8 m.p.g. (10.2 l/100km).

On the open roads, speed was around the 60mph mark.

Martin

Thanks for the tips fellas.  Nylon fly wire and cable ties were the method I took:  put it on today.

Now I'm just waiting to leave.  Got a million things to do before I go away, but getting impatient to get moving now.

Martin

Hey Surferboy & Cathy,

I'm curious:

Saw lots of wildlife,  Most of it dead on the side of the road

How can it be wildLIFE if it's dead.  I guess it can be wild even if its dead:  I'd be pretty wild if I got hit by a bloody big roadtrain.

Great reading.

See you in Orange.

Martin