FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

G'day all,

I have been busy on my FE for about 12 months after finally getting a shed big enough to make restoration possible. It was a Melbourne car pulled apart by a mate in the 90's and stored ever since. I thought is was in fairly good order but after hundreds of hours of cutting and patching it is ready for sand blasting and priming. 2 x front floor pans, both outer sills, both A pillars, both C pillar bases and a thousand other holes and rust repairs....I thought I would post some pics to celebrate.

(https://i.imgur.com/7Cvf2p8l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KL913f0l.jpg)

Al

Well done mate, been on the same journey. Over 2 years to get all rust out of just the shell. Onto bodywork now. Keep pics coming.

Well done, I love that you’ve kept all the trophies
Ken

tex=1:rust=0

absolute power move, plenty of good off cuts to sell

While I'm at it, I have been searching the forum trying to find out which tin master cylinder reservoirs were original to an early FE, I have a few tall ones and the squat short ones; what is the story here. Thanks. Al

Short squat ones :D

Hi Al,
FE/FC have the shorter squat brake/clutch reservoirs.
(https://i.postimg.cc/TKjQjbmN/fxjnats181.jpg) ($2)

Cheers Stewy   8)

Thanks Stewy,

so when / which model did they change to the tall ones?

Al

EJ and EH have the tall cylinders.
Ken

G'day again,

After a big couple of days, everything is blasted and primed. Big job that one for those that can appreciate it but a great feeling to have it all done before winter so I can get on with all the panel work and hopefully ready for base coat when the weather warms up again. Not too many surprises under the paint but a few more weeks of patching and panel work with a few more digs and daylight through a few areas that were hidden by paint.

(https://i.imgur.com/HMDDtdDl.jpg)

Al

G'day everyone,

A fair bit of progress since my last post. A bit of a milestone over the weekend with front end and diff back where they should be with a few other bits going on where I can. Will start on the hanging panels now and get a bit of sheet metal back in place.

Al
(https://i.imgur.com/rbk6Ke8l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SlAbpy2l.jpg)

hey Tex ..Your in the two way street now ..its a car again ,your looking at it with satisfaction and contentment that so far so good , and a big slice of pride , and rightly so, and looking ahead and planning and getting the feel of completion is coming ..love it great feeling ,good on you ...Vern .

G'day,

A bit of progress over the last couple of months. Doing things a bit in reverse as enjoying getting the engine bay and dash area sorted but really need to get into some panel work and get the doors and guards back where they should be.

(https://i.imgur.com/3jrRPOyl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Lb1YE1ul.jpg)

Al

Very nice

Hi Tex,
Is that Cabot Grey and Gypsie Red?
Cheers

G'day Graham,

I have gone for Frankston Cream as the main body colour and the dash colour is as close as I can get to the Fall Red / Parchment Ivory interior combo. The car was originally Sky Grey - Granite Grey roof with grey interior. It was a tough decision to change from factory colour as I am a real purist with the restoration but didn't want a grey car and a mate said to me one day that if you are going to put all this time and money into it, it should be something that you really like so that is the way I have gone, good advice. I have a Detroit kit to put on it and will do the flash in Etna Maroon which will look sweet.

Al

Hi Al,
Yes I agree you need to do the car how you want it. I also have a Detroit Kit to add to mine. You're doing a great job with it. Keep up the posts mate.
Cheers
Graham

This is a period photo from the internet

(https://i.postimg.cc/GHfpjrjk/EEFEF637-58-DD-401-B-9264-FCAE2-E3-F2537.jpg) ($2)

how yours would look

That is the very photo that gave me the inspiration Ken, it is hanging on the wall of my workshop, love it! Al

I agree, it’s a stunning colour combo

Ken

Gday all,

A bit more progress on my resto. The VH24 has been a mission to restore, got hold of the main diaphragm but the rest of the rubber parts have been really hard to find. Looks good in the engine bay all plumbed up, hope it works..., now to get back into the body work. Al
(https://i.imgur.com/8uq2MKll.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FcXz0s3l.jpg)

G'day Tex, the vacuum pump on your windscreen washer bottle.  How did you overcome the diaphragm inside the vacuum pump that sits above the water bottle lid?  I have pulled half a dozen apart to find they are all perished.   

G'day Red,

The one I have fitted to my restoration still works so I have not pulled it apart. I have spayed a bit of WD40 into the chamber to rejuvenate the rubber and will pull it apart when it fails. I tried making diaphragms a few years ago with marginal success but the top diecast section of the vacuum  unit was badly corroded so never finished; if you had one to sell I would be interested as I could now replace the diaphragm with the repro ones that are available from the UK.   

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/164925679250

Let me know if you have a decent top section of the vacuum chamber, Al

Evening all. Its been a couple of years since I last posted on my restoration so time for an update. I have been waiting to get the trim on to complete the exterior to tie everything together, and I like it. Engine bay is complete, just need to finish the interior and I'm there after 4 years. Al

(http://[img]https://i.imgur.com/SNk3I2f.jpeg)[/img]
(http://[img]https://i.imgur.com/vbsDDaY.jpeg)[/img]
(http://[img]https://i.imgur.com/gctR9Cc.jpeg)[/img]

(https://i.imgur.com/lLxZbyI.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Srj3uD0.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/c8q8Ghi.jpeg)

Tri colour , thats interesting ..

Very nice Tex. I have a dim memory of my dad’s second car, an FE, or possibly FC. It was red, white and blue. Very patriotic. By deduction (next was a newish HD) this would have been 1966 and I would have been six or seven.


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What a great project. Your patience and attention to detail is excellent. I'm following your slow and steady route with my ute as I renovate the home at the same time.

Slow but steady.

Looking forward to seeing the finished product.