FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

hey guys,
wondering if anyone out there could help me out with a few questions. Was wondering how rare the dealer flash chrome on a fe is? same as another members car siggys mild fe! i have only seen his with this style of chrome and was wondering if it was indeed rare and what a complete set of chrome to complete this look would be worth?
i think this style of chrome was also called detroit tilles kit!

any info on this would be greatly appreciated...

Matt

Hi Matt, you mean like this?

(http://i40.tinypic.com/2hnw2sj.jpg)

It is indeed a kit manufactured by Tilly and is called the Detroit kit. It is the most common of the FE "Flash kits" because it was, arguably, the best looking. Whilst not common it's not rare either.

They can be purchased around $500 for a complete secondhand kit, more for a NOS one. Be warned though, if you can't do this yourself, by the time you get all the small dents knocked out and the pieces polished it could owe you well over $1000 before you install it, as there are 20 pieces in the kit. Fitting requires great care to ensure the flash is straight, I've seen them end up in odd angles on the rear quarter at the tail lights when they haven't been aligned properly.

Cheers
John

Also check out accessory of the week number 113 for heaps more photos and info

Ken

That's members only Ken  ;)

hey mate!! thanks heaps for that, greatly appreciated.. yeah i got my hands on a kit off an old wreck.. it is in perfect condition but am just missing one piece. the top chrome on the passenger side guard. can single pieces be ordered anywhere?

Thanks heaps for your help once again

No spares available unfortunately unless you find someone with a few pieces stashed away from a wreck - I found a wreck in country Victoria 3 weeks ago with this kit on it, but it had been hit in the left side and EVERY piece of strip on the LHS was dented and the front guard were the worst. They were both there but almost bent in half. I'm thinking about getting the stripes off as there were some good ones on the RHS which would be OK for spares.

Best of luck with your search

Ken

Hey Ken
Wouldn't the guard strip be interchangable from left to right?
Regards
Alex

No they aren't Alex, they are bent towards the front where they join the headlights and have different returns at the headlight points and guard end.

Ken, FWIW I would still collect the damaged trim, there is a guy up here who can repair almost any damaged stainless along as it isn't torn.

Cheers
John

Hey Matt

Seems like you have good taste!! I love my kit and it makes my car for me.

I got the kit as NOS for about $400 in 1993. It certainly dresses up the FE. I had a wreck that had he strips removed, but I was able to size up the holes. I think you will need about 50+ holes drilled into the body - not for the faint hearted!!

I suggest first getting the clips you want to use and checking they work with EACH strip, as the centre size varies. I would then get an old door - preferably FE/FC- and practice the drilling and fitting so as not to wreck your car. I would then use blue tac or blue tape to fit up the kit, and pencil mark the pieces - as Alex said they need to be right. I found the kink at the bottom of the rear door is the most difficult. Many holes are existing from the special trim. Having said that I believe that you can keep the upper guard "special" spear and it intergates well with the rest of the kit, so that a thought if you can't find the missing piece. Also, e a small pilot drill for the initial hole as it wander less.

As a final note take your time with each stage. I only did one side of my car, and had it like that for a year - thats taking your time!

Hey Matt,
              You could always get an FC........they have the factory Tilly strips. ;) ;D

Dean.

but only if you're willing to settle for second best ;D ;) :D