FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

This is off topic, but worth a look.
Check out this unusual FB coupe on ebay.
Guy claims the conversion was done in mid 60's, and was registered. Looks to be a bit of interest in this car.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110055026139
Regards
Alex

That front quarter shot gives you a feel for how much of a shortening up it's been given.  Look where the car's rear wheels are relative to the trailer's wheels!

I wonder how it would handle... :o

cheers
RET

Looks kinda silly, the doors needed to be lengthened or something. although its probly the only way to fix the turning circle :D

wow different,
                     would like to see it rebuilt though.
only thing is getting out of the thing at the local shopping centre with a car on each side ?
ah that's it, paint it orange with (01) on the door and a rebel flag on the roof and climb out the through the window frame. ;D

Check out the price this little beautie went for .
Cut out half the car and double the velue , The previous rego is worth its weight in gold because do gooders ruined us ever building and registering anything like this again .
Its a true one off .

Previous rego isn't worth anything.

It will need an engineer's report for full registration.  This is the case for a car out of rego more than 3 months, let alone 30 years.  If an engineer signs off that it's safe and roadworthy, it will get registered.  The fact it might have had rego 30 years ago doesn't mean squat.

Have a flick through Street Machine.  Plenty of outrageously modified cars get full rego.  As long as they're safe and roadworthy.

I'd be very surprised if that FB would pass an inspection though.  The weight over the front wheels and that short wheel-base would give this thing horrifying over-steer.  I reckon there's a reason it's sat in a shed all that time: it's taken that long for the smell of the brown stains on the driver's seat to dissipate. :-X

cheers
RET

I totally disagree but I couldnt be (^$*@% arguing or teaching you why .
Your level of reply is arrogant and rude , Alot like the attitude I get from police  >:(.
This forum is no longer my place ! Im out..

(http://i15.tinypic.com/2yoqvdc.jpg)

Harko has left the forum  :o.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but I'm at a loss to understand what you think was arrogant or rude.

You know where we are if you change your mind.  Your 2c worth is as welcome as anyone else's.

RET

That is way to cool to be allowed on the roads these days.
Most definantely a lot of work went into put that car on the road, would be good to see it back on the road again, but with the laws these days I doubt it, if it is to go back on the road it will need BIG dollars thrown its way.

Might be one for the POOL ROOM collection

Cheers Jim

See you later Harko, may be one day you will understand.

Cheers
John

What is that meant to mean?  Seems pretty rude when it is pointed at someone who has as much knowledge and history on this forum as Harko.  

Maybe I missed something in the build up to this, as I have not been around much lately.  I'm not sure I saw RET's comment as a put down directed personally at Harko or anyone else for that matter.  As with most posts on the forum, I read it as one persons opinion.  Harko leaving the forum :'(  that is a loss that we all should be mourning, he is a true Guru when it comes to kustom knowledge and one whos wealth of knowledge will be sorely missed.

Harko?,
             Did you have a bad day mate?  Stop slagging the cops!!!!!!  just doing there job!!!!! ( I spent the whole weekend being jibbed by greenies and tree huggers who still get there fortnightly payments from the goverment at the G20 forum in melbourne) Dont leave here your knowledge is way too good, and yr cars are better.  Go anmd have a few cans of bourban and get a few pics of the pontiac on, cheers

                                                                    tayz

This thread is really going of topic but what the heck.

I agree with Burnsy and TAYZ, however am also at a loss to why there has what seems to be a big dummy spit.
HARKO,
I thought you had a thick skin and gave as good as you got.
Many people on this forum look forward to your project updates and seek you out for advice.
John
Not sure were your post was coming from or the reason why, but I thought its content was not warranted or justified. We have enough dick heads on the forum without you adding to it.

Regards Jim

harko,
         sorry to here your out mate,stay cool :-/.
have a beer or 3 and by all mean's come back soon,
as they say water under the bridge.

as for the car rego it may mean didely, but if it (was) engineered with these mod's when first modified. which i doupt as there does not appear to be a report number on the bottom of the reg'o papper's anyway.the engineer's cert last as long as the car will,even when reg'o has expired for 3mth's or 3yr's as long as no more mod's have been made it's still valid. i know this becauce when my v8 cortina caught on fire,reg'o was expired for 16mth's during repair's. and all i did was get blue/green slip's then repaid up the reg'o fee.engineer cert is valid to car always once it is engineered that is upon no more mod's.
the same was for the red/white daddy cool small block chev fc i bought out of reg'o,but key word (engineered).
cheer's col.

Harko,
I for one like original or slightly modified old cars.
Whilst I have little to contribute to your posts I do enjoy reading them. I for one hope that you will return as part of the family and not just a guest.
Come on Harko back you come  :)
Bruce
P.S,  Kiwi and company are still lurking around.... ;D
Didn't answer their post but I enjoyed their entertaining antics.

Frankly as someone training to be a certifying engineer, I find it testing at times to read opinions based on no fact at all, especially that "do gooders" are ruining it for everyone.
Sorry - the reason engineering standards have been introduced is because of the stupidity of some early car modifiers who left to their own devises, built some of the most unsafe and dangerous vehicles ever seen.
I have seen some horrendous stuff in my time ranging from a chain used as a rear gearbox mount to stub axles with steering arms welded onto them (with cracks already appearing)
The point is every rule has a reason and just because you think it is not important doesn't mean you know everything about anything.
Harko you are more than welcome on this forum, but dont promote bad advice, all RET was pointing out was plain fact, just because you disagree is no reason to try to usurp what the forum promotes - which is safe and legal modification of vehicles.

Ken

I think you guy's are wasting your time harko's gone.... :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( .. I for one will miss harko.He has given me heaps of good advice for my van since ive been on this site and we have become very good friends....

Hello Gents,

I haven't been on the forum for a few days and then came back to read this?

personally I reckon the FB coupe was funny. there was a shortned 57 chev like it in the 80's from memory... in the US of A of course.

I also reckon it would be far too dangerous to rego in todays climate of safety and litigation.  engineers as do gooders?

Having experienced the whole gambit of the rego and engineering process recently I can only say the engineers are very fair and "SAFE and ROADWORTHY" conversions are accepted easily.

the most beautiful thing IMO of any modified car are the engineering details, those that do not compromise safety, impact the strutural integrity, allow access and serivceability and are of good quality workmanship.

severly shortened wheelbases I dont think are looked on as safe conversions as mentioned in the thread, even if it had a  previous engineers report. would that engineer still pass it today?  I wonder.

Similarly I saw a big block EH with single circuit brakes and copper lines, passed years ago but would never today.

I also know a high profile street machiner who has a 351 in a meyers manx buggy and is an engineeer himself, who told me "..after this was signed off, the engineer said he would never pass one again..".[ it is just way too wild].

Harko, If you really wanna leave over something like this, then that's your choice, everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if you agree or disagree.. it is a forum for "discussion".

anyway as car modifiers we work out clever solutions to the rules imposed don't we
;D

Cheers

Ed

 Another off topic comment,

I'm not getting into the Harko thing but I'm sorry he's left the forum :'(.

I agree with Ed and Kens comments on modified cars.
Engineers are there for a reason and that is to ensure that what modifications you propose are safe and legal.This helps you and other road users to stay alive!

Sure, some can be A holes and hard to deal with but they are legaly accountable for signing the roadworthiness certificate.Should they pass something that is unsafe and something tragic happens then I'm sure the legal system will catch up with them let alone the fact that they have to deal with knowing that they may be part responsible for a tragedy.

Same with Police, some are Aholes but most are good blokes just doing their job.Its the bad ones we always read about and society brands them all as being the same.....not so!

I worked in a wrecking yard in the early "80's and saw lots of Police defected modified cars come in.Most had horrendous modifications done by the owners (not engineer certified) and were just accidents waiting to happen.Indeed quite a few cars were from fatal accidents and  had been unsafely modified.

One of the worst was a Datsun 180 B with a 202 red and 4 speed.Underbody full of rust and its a wonder the car didn't just collapse in half!No trans tunnel and most of firewall cut out to fit.Nearly half of the engine was in the cabin.Bird shit welds held the engine mounts.This was registered and was being used for a Drag race down our local main street.This car was involved in a fatal accident.Stupidity can't be controlled but unsafe vehicles can.

This is why engineering certificates were invented.

Thats my 2 cents worth,

Terry.

Relisted with a "Buy it Now" of $10,000

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110059363412

hi all..
         Was it this post he left over?? or a number of things?? i guess now he's not coming back we'll never know .....
              cheers mark

hey guys, iv been talking to some of the older locals (cowra) about this car, it was built and owned by a local cowra man. megsy clements is his name, a mate of mine looked at the car a few years ago and was told he could HAVE it! he left it there because it was a "real dodgy chop"
he said the chop was done and no one would pass it for rego.

westy

Mark, by the looks of it, it was over RET comments about the possibilty of registering the car. I thought it was a bit weird Harko spitting it like that though.

The arguement continues over the road -
http://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1364

Seems to be the usual thing in these types of discussions. Everybody knows all -  :-X ALL.
If your an engineer, then you would know that once a vehicle has a report it stays with that registration, whether in a shed, on display or on the road. If its written off then no report. Simple. Ring the Rego Dept and they will tell you same thing.

See ya on the other side Harko. Seems i'll be joining you also. Sick of reading the same crap all the time.

Damn Straight!

NEW FORUM RULE -
Everybody is to keep their opinions to themselves from now on.  :P
Makes moderating easy too  ;D

ok mr Chopped Ek...

on my NSW rego label it specifies a condition.

it actually references the engineers report number.

if my rego lapses for over 3 months then i need a blue slip.
if no changes are made, then the report should be Ok. Agreed.

if however, the RTA suddenly deems v8 conversions too large and my vehcile is out of rego (over 3 months), then I am in a bit of bother aren't i? regardless of safe report or none.

now if rego never lapses then I think I am safe.



ok in the case of this EK, rego has long lapsed, the engineer signatory may not be recognised by the states rego authority.

what now?  you would need a new engineers report and a blue slip (in NSW).  recently I sat in the chair next to the blue slip signatory who looked up my engineer on the list of approved engineering signatories.

does the EK in question have a report signed off by an approved signatory which is current?  if it does, I will gladly pull my head in.

otherwise I believe the car will not be registerable in most states of Australia.

if you guys disagree with me that is fine, afterall it is a discussion.  You are more than welcome here.

Cheers

Ed

ONCE A VEHICLE HAS A REPORT.  No argument, in agreement 100%.  The point is that proof of previous registration does not equal an engineer's report.

What is it about that simple statement that invokes such emotion? FIIK.

I dunno what state you're from, choppedek, but it is certainly possible for two quite different opinions to be simultaneously correct.  Rules vary from state to state.  I'm pretty confident of my position as far as NSW rules are concerned, but I appreciate things are done differently elsewhere.  I am also well aware that you've already marched off in high dudgeon, so I might be wasting my breath.

cheers
RET

It is interesting to note that in the relist he dropped the reference to and the photo of the previous rego papers.

In the original listing, the picture of the rego papers shows a Grey Motor number, starting with a B.  The car was not even legal with the red motor.

Hello.
No the car would not be legal as stands.
Registered with old grey but has red motor.
Engineers cert is only for grey engine not for red, so yes it will need to be re-engineered.
As far as state engineering goes - all states are different. So basicly what i am saying is everybody stating facts about engineers reports are correct, but remember you are all in different states, i presume.

Back in its hey day, it was a very impressive car, compared to today's standards. Straight line of course, not to good in the turn circle dept.

So to cut it short - unless you have alot of money to restore this piece of history to put back on the road, bid.

My opinion would be to restore it as is and display it for all to see what yesteryear customising was all about.

iv been talking to my mate that knows the man that choped it up! it was done between rego checks, once done no one would pass it, thats y rego expired in the first place! red was put in years later!

i stand to be corrected, but my mate has known this man for years.
just trying to shed some light on it, id hate to see someone buy it in say wa/sa and when it turns up its only worth its weight in scrap! perish the thought :(

westy

You can tellits getting close to christmas everone is on edge, come on every one in for a big group hug..... if not build a bloody bridge (with or without engineering) and get over it   ;D

Ps go the Aussies and XXXX is not the best beer. :P

I did not think my simple post would invoke this much debate.
The simple answer is that if you are considering buying this car, print out the pics and description, pick up the phone, make an appointment with your local engineer and ask HIM/HER.
I would not pay what I consider (my opinion) too much $$$$ for a car in that condition.

Russ....

are you trying unite us, or stir a different pot?  ;D

Jim,

I did not spit the DUMMY, and I do not believe I am a DH.

Cheers
John ???

THIS IS ALL STARTING TO GET BORING.. NEXT TOPIC PLEASE ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I think its a good looking piece of history but for $10,000-................ good luck to him for trying though.  Im dissapointed its caused debate this thread.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinon so i dont see why people have to get dirty.  If everyone thought the same it would be a boring world, wouldnt it??!!!!!!!

                                                                        tayzz

It's amazing how a simple chat can get a little heated... The car personally not my cup of tea, end of story. As for the forum, people come and go... There is none better so they come back, we have about 1600 registered users but how many actually visit on a regular basis 200? All in all i'm here to learn as well as laugh and without debate like this how can we learn.

Cheers
Jason.

Hi All,
He is trying his luck, hoping some patsy will pay $10k for a car that will not pass rego. It MAY have in it's day, but I doubt it. Even here in Tassie, where the rego laws are pretty easy going, that thing would not get through. But like Alex said, if you wanted to find out, call an engineer. Easy.
I don't think RET said anything bad & I am very sorry Harko has gone, but we all have different opinions, we all know what WE say is RIGHT & to be honest, that is what makes things interesting.
Wouldn't it be really boring, if all of us sat around agreeing about everything 100% of the time? I am sure there are people on here who have lots of beefs with others. I certainly find some of the people on here boring, but I am sure they find me a loud mouthed prat!! There would be no point of a "Discussion Forum", as there wouldn't be different opinions or tastes.

As for the car, I would like it, just to restore & have as a bit of fun. I would put a shit hot Grey in it, tub it a little & make it do wheel stands at the drags!! Just for fun, as I KNOW i would never get it registered. Saying that, I think it is a $2000 car. I could get a wreck from the local wreckers here & F**K it right up just like that one for less than $2,000. Saying that, I might just do it. But to a WAGON!!!

Rob J

Sure Rob, just to be boring, I agree  :P  ;D

Hahaha, I KNEW you were gonna bite!!  ;D ;D :-*

gee's,
        if all the of us 1600 user's put in $6.25ea we could buy this piece of unroad worthy shit box and take all our anger out on it by sending it to korea too turn it into another peice of shit box.cheap investment,this would end all our problem's about this topic.
i'am in just need someone to collect all the taking's - any taker's.
                  col ;D

I just wanted to add  a reply in this but had too much bourbon to think of what to write for now.

I think it is the thought that counts, Leon!!
Well said, whatever it was you were going to say ;D

Rob J

Dear forum members,

I'm interested in buying this lovely car and turning it into a stretch limo.

Will I need an a engineers report to do this? After all, when I finish it will be longer, so surely I shouldn't need one?

A mate told me red motors are better than grey ones, so if I paint a grey motor red, will the car go faster?

Where can I buy a smaller turning circle?

All help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
John

hey Johns,

My mate, who works at the rego office, says that all the parts you need are available at Bunnings.  

Also no extra engineer certification will be required as all of the parts are sold with ARA.  (australian retail approvals)


::) ::) :o :o :o

Hey John,
Would you believe, stranger questions have been asked on this forum, some in total seriousness!! :o

Rob J

Hi all,

What has happened to this car? ??? ???

Cheers
John

Its back on the market

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FB-HOLDEN-COUPE-CUSTOM-FROM-THE-60S-HAS-HAD-NSW-REGO_W0QQitemZ250117935534QQihZ015QQcategoryZ101895QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Groan.

Better get in quick, it'll be your last chance............. again ::)

Maybe it could be registered as a BBQ trailer rather than as a car this time around, might be a little easier with todays rules and regs....... it has the right number plates anyway ;D

I agree too Les
Cheers
John ;D ;D