FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

G'day guys!

First off thanks for a great site and forum pages!

I am hoping I might get lucky and as they say it never hurts to ask!

Right now I'm setting myself up in a second job doing restoration vapour blasting and conventional blasting (note - not whole cars etc as they are already catered for) at great expense to the management (me)

The work I aim to do outside my regular employment as a firey is doing vapour / wet blasting (ie glass bead in water under pressure) on all sorts of components (primarily but not exclusively alloy) in a cabinet with approx 1m x 1m x .8 capacity and the reason I am after a  windowless van or ute is to use it as a daily driver complete with period sign-writing (vinyl actually as it's something a mate can do for me for nix). I also have a large dry blasting cabinet running bead, garnet and aluminium oxide grit and both run off a vane comp.

When I was a very junior fireman twenty something years ago I had a fantastic black business sedan and I have always had a soft spot for FE and FC, although due to the fact my 19 year old has an EK I will also be looking at them, it just depends on what comes up first. That old FC only had one tiny 3/8" spot of rust and was dead stock and I enjoyed every day I owned her!

The car I am seeking now must be a very useable car from day one with minimal if zero rust (if such a car exists?) and at this stage I only want to do minimal changes to it but am open to ideas. Colour is unimportant, condition is, and the more original and unmolested the better.

The other reason I want a van or ute is because I race old school motocross and figure what better way to cart old bikes around eh?

Obviously I am prepared to pay a reasonable amount for a decent car - I try to be a realist, but am definitely NOT after a rust bucket. I'm in Sydney but can travel for the right vehicle, within reason.

Any help, offers or leads would be very much appreciated, and I have already begun buying some goodies to start things off.

Cheers and thanks in advance

Dave Mac

Don't all rush me guys - my computer will crash !!!

Soooo....... does the flood of responses you've received give you an indication of how hard they can be to come by at times?  With vans it sometimes seems to be a "right place right time" type of thing.  I wish you well in your search though.   :)

Yep, right place right time(ing)
             Cheers Glenn.

Hey Nos, I'm hearing you!

What I can never get over though is the number of guys sitting on not one but a number of good cars, all the while wondering why club attendances are down etc (I am NOT saying the FE FC club is down - just generalising!)

I am more than happy to wait for a decent car and given I am happy for a van OR a ute in FE FC FB EK config I reckon one should come along.

It's a funny thing - we saw a great old driver of an FC van go past us the other day just as my son and i were talking about how good it would be to get one! The old guy at the wheel probably would never let it go so we just kept on our way. Still - I'll just keep stock piling stuff for "THE DAY"
 
Cheers,

Dave Mac

And dogged persistence !!!

I just don't understand why some owners have more than one of the same ???

Maybe I'll sit on the road where I saw the old boy in his windowless and follow him, lol

As always a good ute or van wanted

Dave Mac  ;)

I no why i have multiples of early holdens i can,t say no to them ive got 4 vans three wagons three utes.
regards fatboy

trying to sell my ek ute at the moment  anyone???

Dogged persistence is definitely a characteristic required sometimes.  :-\

I had a 17 year gap between when I had to part with a windowless van until I finally got one again. But we never gave up the search and we knew that one day we’d finally be the ones that were first in line. And two years ago we were – and, no, it’s not for sale!  ;D

And, yes, cars can be addictive FATBOY!  ;D Maybe if Dave is hapy to take an EK Ute the two of you might just be a match made in Holden Heaven!  :D

 

If any one is in the market for a cherry ute go talk to fatboy - I checked it out on his my fb ek pages and it is sensational but sadly too much car for me ie all the work already done.

Most would understand I want to do the work myself and 'live the dream' (as opposed to a rust riddled 'live the nightmare' project, lol!)

I'll still keep looking unless Fatboy lets me have a good project car - three of each? Wow!!!

Dave Mac  :)

Perhaps another reason you are not getting much response is that sellers are not keen to see there really good nick, zero rust, ute or van used as a daily driver to cart motor bikes round in and basically get destroyed. :o


Think about it

Ken

  Thats a bit hard Ken  :o I drive my Ute every day carry fire wood put motor bikes in the back or whatever it's not in that great condition but I enjoy it every day ........FC427.......

Ken isn't the one being judgemental though, it's the people with the cars that would otherwise sell but can't stand the thought of someone modifying them or driving it regularly (wrecking it  ::) )

Maybe I'm picturing the wrong car - I had visions of 4 hammers using his new EH ute as a daily driver & to carry motorbikes in.

I'm sorry for the wrong impression - I wish you all the best on your search Dave.

Ken

Here you go.

eBay Van ($2)

Nice welcome to the club Ken - Thank you !!!

Now let me tell you how I expect things to happen, and let me start with this.

My DAILY driver is a new Nissan D40 Navara 4 x 4 which as mundane as it is gets very well looked after. It is the workhorse and always will be!

My old road bike - a Ducati 750SS which I used  as much as possible until other things took over is still in as good a nick as the day I restored it back in 1979 from a fire damaged wreck to a concourse winning show bike (and yes shock horror - A DAILY rider at the same time even carting my firies gear around when I was on relieving staff with NO ill effects)

Likewise my 1981 Maico motocross bike - It's been left as I got it and raced that way as I didn't have the heart to change the old girl, and besides I am not fast enough to inflict too much damage on it!

You know me from Adam, and you have no idea of how I treat my things, so to suggest I want someone's rust free diamond encrusted gold plated show piece to trash at 52 years of age (the car AND myself) I find offensive in the extreme. I assume you are one of the doyens of the club that everyone looks up to? Well next time you attack a potential new member get to know him first!

I have a very roomy two car garage attached to an expansive and well equipped workshop including a good sized Aussie Nuttall lathe and universal turret mill, 35 ton press etc etc plus a good storage area, capacity for overhead gantry and I have a toolmaking background - a trade that prides itself in perfection when it comes to all things mechanical.

Why did you assume I would get a car and cause it to "basically get destroyed" as you said? When anyone invests the amount of money that I would envisage spending in the long haul why would I want to waste it, especially on a firies pay packet!

It may sound strange to you but I am a believer in using what I have, not just staring longingly at a shape under a car-cover or puffing my chest out at a concourse when a judge comments on the fact that all the bolt heads are lined up neatly (sadly I confess I do line up bolt heads, lol)

While I doubt I will get much response from you sir, I do hope there are some decent members out there who may give a 'newbie' a fair go and consider helping me find a good core car, and WELCOMING a new member into the club. Personal attacks are best left to the the use of personal messenger facilities if you suspect my motives.

Guys (and ladies) - I apologise for this rant but I joined this forum to get help - not get attacked by some guy who has never met me, and besides hasn't he ever stoppd to think that the bikes that would destroy one of GM's finest may actually be carted about in a TRAILER - or in the back of the Nissan if it came down to it!!!

I want a nice old Holden UTE or WINDLOWLESS VAN that can be used, loved and cared for by someone who likes to see these old cars out and about on regular rego. My promise to anyone who would consider selling me a good car is that I would treat it very well and hopefully improve it's condition under my ownership but still enjoy it as often as possible with the heavy work being done by the 'Nip'!

If I intend using this as a vehicle to promote a very viable vintage focussed business why would I want to trash the very car that people would connect with my vapour blasting work?

The car would have shared responsibilities and wouldn't be flogged to death I assure you!

By the way - I'm with you FC427.

All leads will happily be considered.

Dave Mac  :)

Hey Dave
Welcome to the forum, and I really hope you find a suitable van/ute - I for one would just love to see those bikes in the back of an FE/FC van or ute!  :)

cheers and best of luck

jack  (ex - SF2 Laverda and Bultaco owner)

Dave please note my apology - I see by the posting times that you had probably started your response before mine was posted. Mine was an ill considered response which as you can see I later regretted and submitted a retraction.

I won't say another word

Ken

Geez CraigA, someone jumped on that quick, looks like a good buy, someone has maybe scored a bargain there.

Welcome aboard Dave, good luck with the search.

Hi again all!

First may I say a quick acceptance of your explanation regarding my initial post Ken. All is forgotten so we can be friends (I'm like that ya know!). I do accept that mint cars being choppped can grate on some but from what I saw at Clarendon no matter what floated an owners boat in how they prepared and finished off their cars ALL of them were passionate about them which to me is what we are all about and I think what made that weekend such a great one.

Now to my new best friend,Craig.

Mate, what can I say - thanks to you I have clinched that, well half, windowless FC and I'm STOKED! The seller seems like a really nice bloke and was very proud of what he had done to date. It's early days yet as to what we'll do with her but we are heading off to look at the car on Saturday morning and from what he says there is no rust and only minor issues. Life is a funny thing but I said to my son only the other day how sweet the old 179 engines are and this old girl is powered by one through an Aussie 4 and all. He reckons all the chrome has been done along with new rubbers and the brakes re-kitted etc etc so we'll see.

My only disappointment (and you can't always have everything) is the two windows being cut in. I'm hoping the old panels and more importantly the vents are still around. Can anyone give me some idea of how a good beater would go filling in the holes and restoring the sides so they look original again?

To be honest I didn't think I would find a car so quickly, especially one that appears to be such decent prospect and I genuinely appreciate the encouragement you were prepared to give me in looking for a car!

To all of you a big thanks for your opinions either way, and once again Ken, all's well. I look forward to getting to know you all more as time goes on.

Cheers from the newest van builder on the forum, lol

Dave Mac  :)

Dave you don't muck around when your car hunting . Looks a good thing for the money ....Now just to fix those two little holes in the side .........FC427.......

Any ideas on those holes FC?

Any one have a trashed van body to get some vents or sections?

Night all

Need to rest after the thrill of tonight - all too much for me, lol !!!

Dave Mac  :) zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

i think i know that van, if it's the same one a mate of mine owned it 25 to 30 years ago, it dissapeared for a while then another mate worked with a guy that had it, if it's the same car i think it had a rear seat hence the windows it was green possably original colour but got painted red and has seen very little road use in that 25 to 30 years

on another note how would anybody get a motorbike in the back of an FE/FC van ??? besides being pulled apart or laying down ;D

Right time right place is definitely what it's all about!  Craig A definitely deserves to be your new best friend! :D 

There's something very special about those lovely low roofs on an FE and FC van (that you constantly hit your head on) These "sedan deliveries" are the last vestiges of the American designer's input to Holdens before GMH went practical and put high roofs on FB's!  :D   

I'm very happy for you and hope you enjoy many more posts on the forum from here-on! And, more importantly, welcome to the FE FC Van-owners Club!  ;D

Kathi

Welcome to the site Dave ;) and congrats on getting the van of your dreams 8) 8)
                        Pedro

Cheers Pedro - I can be a kid again, lol!!!

Last Holden van I had was an HR with lots of HAPPY memories, lol !!! My girlfriends mum even offered to make the curtains as she was worried things wouldn't be safe in the back without something covering the windows from prying eyes - never did thank her for that !

It's a funny thing when you go looking for stuff - I didn't think I would get onto a car so soon and I just hope tomorrow when I check it out the things the seller has told me are correct. He seems like a really nice guy and has offered all sorts of advice already.

Kathi - you are right about the US style. I like the low-line look and so long as I can eventually lose the side windows all of the line swill be restored. The guards have been slightly flared and dressed which I am not so sure about but so long as that body has bugger all rust I will be a happy camper. I also like his choice of running gear which is funny because it was all I intended to do as it seems the old greys are very prone to cracked heads and they aren't getting any younger.

I guess once I've got it I will switch to another thread and learn how to post pics so I can share my new pride and joy!

Cheers ladies and gents

Dave Mac  :)

 :D :D, did you have the compulsory "don't laugh your daughter may be inside" sticker ;D, don't worry about being able to fill in the rear windows other people on the site have done it, my feeble memory can't recall who though maybe Kathi with her memory for detail powers can remember, when you are ready to post some pics you have to upload them to photobucket or a similar site first then transfer them here.
                                         Pedro

Just off the top of my head - I seem to recall both FEVAN06 and CRUISER056 have "reinstated" sheet metal into the sides of their vans.  Maybe they can offer some advice to you here or you could send them a PM. It is definitely possible as these guys will attest to.

Do you want an address to send the beer?  ;D ;D ;D

Good pick up, and cheap for what you got. Well done.

Hey Craig what part of NSW do you live? Personal delivery would be best that way the delivery guy gets a beer too!!!

Seriously though I do owe you. While I normally scan the evil bay pages last night I was going to head out for a while to pick up a hand winch (for hauling a prospective car up and down my drive funnily enough) and care of your letting me know about the ebay car dropped a project right in my lap!

The big inspection is tomorrow and from what the seller has told me I am feeling very confident - I'll report back and let you all know what we find.

I checked out Kathi's beautiful black sedan and their other projects - amazing !!! And Pedro I think I might have to find some of those stickers you mentioned or the "Don't come a knockin' while the van's a rockin' " ones from years ago. I think old girlfriends mum would be way past making me another set of curtains !!!

Cheers mate

Dave !!!

Just joking about the beer Dave  ;D

Best reward is to see another one driving down the road. Best of luck with the project.

Windows... Ha easy LOL. I replaced them in my van when i did it about 6 -7 years ago,

The way i did it was to get some steel the same thickness and then get it rolled to the profile of the van. Welded in the pieces and was lucky enough to have John from Just rust in WA to make me up some louvres that were the exact same as the originals. I carefully measured the distances from another original van and then replaced them.

When i did this I had about 6 months experience at doing cars so was a huge effort... hence the tongue in cheek start to the response.

But it can be done effectively.

Cheers
Jason.

Good luck with the van Dave, looks a beaut!  :) Hope you experience the ear to ear grin  ;D when you first drive her. Pls do post pics and info as your journey with her progresses.

Cheers
Marc

Well?  Is it safely home in your garage yet Dave?  :)

Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone!

After the initial posts I have had seem great people offer help and encouragement via PMs and I am beginning to feel very comfortable on this forum - I mean it!

So far so good. We checked the old girl out yesterday and reckon it is pretty good all round with lots of hard work already done.

Rust was almost non existent - floors, sills, around the tank, doors, guards all solid. One patch that will require some metal work was the left hand dogleg and the other was the bottoms of the two gutter channels at the front and they can be easily fixed. Body is very straight for what I am paying and should come up very well although the rear arches have been slightly flared and the lips rolled under to clear the tyres (can't have everything, lol). Tail-gates were good, spare wheel door OK but needs some work - have I missed anything, lol!

Mechanicals seem on the money for what I wanted and given everything will be coming off back to the firewall I am not worried but while I intend going right over everything the Torana diff, 179 and Aussie 4 will remain. All brakes are good with some well made new lines and front end roco'd but the HR cross member has suffered from some bad treatment with the jack so I will go looking for another one.

Wiring is a disaster - all original stuff long gone and replaced by some 'interesting' stuff but I figure I will track down an alternative and clean the wiring up along the way..

Wheels are tidy, tyres nearly new (as in new new with tyre smell etc). Comes with a shit load of bits and pieces including a really good spare door - better than what is on the car!

I felt sorry for the guy selling it as he seemed to have put his heart and soul into the car and was a really genuine guy - apparently after I won the deal he had something like eight guys ringing him to try and get him to change his mind including one dude from Qld who was wanting to drive down asap, lol! - and it was only on evilpay for an hour before I hit 'but it now" thanks to my new best mate Craig telling me about it!

All being OK rego wise it should be wrapped up this week so much more info to follow once it's at home. Transport is arranged via a mate who carts cars for a living.

Hope all the Dads out there had a good Hallmark / John Sands (oops I mean Fathers) Day - I got a new bottle of Sambuca, music, a book and DVDs plus a good lunch with my not so little 'kids'

G'day Kathi - just caught your post - no should be home week after next. I have so much stuff to shift / sell to make room but what better excuse than a half windowless van (unless we are talking about one of the sweetest black FE's in the world - then EVERYTHING would be out in the weather  ;)) 

Cheers all

Dave Mac  :)

Aaw shucks - you got me all embarrassed now  :-[

Good to hear that you're happy with your purchase. Now you'll be counting the sleeps like a kid waiting for Xmas!  There's something very special about FE FC Vans!  ;)

Yes, and well done. Glad to see a happy ending. (they are hard to find)

                      Cheers Glenn

Good score Dave, welcome aboard!  There's nothing like that feeling of finally getting a model you've been after hey.

Myself i've been on the lookout for a good HD van for a couple of years. Picked one up last weekend. So so happy with it, and as they say, often it's about timing, right place/time etc, but have to have an equal measure of persistence.  Tenacious h-D  :)

My fc van is steadily being brought back to life, wont be abandoning her for the new girl in my life!

It sure is a good feeling to find something that fits the bill.

A HD eh? Now I bet there aren't too many of them left either? Is it a stocker (a pic or two?) or modified.

My new dilemma is where to fit the van when I get it. There is going to be wholesale sell offs of some crap to accomodate the old girl but I am sure it will be worth it.

And yes Glenn - a happy ending indeed mate.

Not too many sleeps and it will be here !!!

Dave

HD is pretty original, still has balmain beige paint, but thin on roof - red primer showing thru. Had a heart transplant at some time (186). Very minimal rust, straight & good chrome - I am 'ken rapt!

I can get a full roof cut from an FC windowless van if needed.  But it will cost...... Its a complete van but bottom is rusted out.

Paul Taylor.
 
Regarding the top of the van - I have PM'd you but no response.

Do you still have that top mate?

Dave Mac  :)

here are the sides and vents ur after.


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/fb-ek-fc-holden-panel-van-complete-rear-cut_W0QQitemZ270481078834QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Cars?hash=item3ef9edba32

Sorry been on leave and no pc at home.  I can get it but its gunna cost.  Im a bit of a slaker.......  I will get back to you........