FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Final got around to bringing the work digital camera home and taking some pictures of the rocket.

When we picked her up the previous owner had stripped the front guards and thrown all the spares in the boot.  There was a grey motor under the bonnet - minus the head, and another in the back seat.  

The bumpers had been de chromed and painted white (except for the number plate surround and the overiders ???) and it had an FC grille fitted.  The old girl was painted white as opposed to the original Breton Blue which can be seen in some pics, but the paint had huge crows feet everywhere.

I have basically stripped most mechanicals out of her and currently have the head at work doing the valves and seats.  So far Dave has done bugger all besides give moral support, but thats only because he is in Sydney and me and the car are in the Albury/Wodonga area.

Plans are to paint her the original colour and she will be mostly standard, but I have grown to like the alloy wheels and I now want to splash a bit of chrome under the bonnet.

I hope this link works 'cause I have discovered a whole new meaning to the word frustration uploading photos to starphoto.  If anyone can advise me how to put comments in the photo album there I would appreciate it.

Nige

http://photo.starblvd.net/nigelb42

Nigel
To add comments to Starphoto, go to the edit section and pick the page of photos you wish to add comments too,then click on the actual picture this will cause the picture to go full size with comment and other boxs underneath it, just add comments / names and save
John M

Hi Nige,

I'd like to hear what others think, but I have had a good look at your photos and personally I would be looking for another shell. I'm sorry to be so forthright, but other people will either back me up or shoot me down. I'm prepared to get hit if that's what is deserved.

FE Specials are not that rare (yet) that you're forced to undertake such major bodywork. I reckon your enthusiasm is great, but it will run out VERY quickly trying to repair the shell you've got. Not to mention the amount of money it will cost. Have you thought about looking for another shell? Does anyone have one that could be offered to Nige?

Now's the time to have a good hard think - before you start to spend valuable money and time.

Maybe I'm wrong and you and your brother own a Metal Factory and have shares in a Welding Company  ;D

Cheers,

Craig.

Craig,

I guess one of the resons for posting my photos was to get an indication of how much work we were up against, and thus far I have spend about $70.00 all up on bits and pieces, so not a great loss as yet.  Today I was stripping the paint near the RHR 1/4 panel and a HUGE chunk of the panel just fell away, the previous restorer (used losely) had shares in a bog factory and no doubt meant well, but I keep finding suprises.

As far as rust repair goes I am as game as they come and have done formal oxy welding courses, but upon saying that is it worth the effort????  

As far as I can see I will need to replace both rear 1/4 panels, all the sills and some of the floor.  I was thinking of getting some fitter and turner/ welder mates to manufacture some of the stuff for me and it'll probably only cost me a couple of cartons.

What does everybody think? yay or nay?

Nige

Thanks John, will try it out.

Nige

Nige,

Thanks for accepting my thoughts in the positive manner they were meant.

"Always buy the best you can afford" is the rule - it will save you heaps in the long run. But if you're up for a challenge, then GO FOR IT!!

Cheers,

Craig.

Nigel,

You really are going to have an enormous challenge ahead there.  I don't doubt you've got the enthusiasm, but I really think restoration from bare bones like that is a big enough task, without unnecesarily handicapping yourself trying to fix a body that is in such a state.

As I said, it can be done.  I remember Ken telling me that his 3-door ambulance was so rotten that if it wasn't such a rare car he would not have considered doing it.  But like Craig says, an FE Special Sedan is not especially rare.  I don't doubt you have the enthusiasm and the talent to repair this shell, but how long will it take?  Often rolling shells get cut up simply because they're almost impossible things to store.  You might pick one up for next to nothing that will allow you to start the real restoration not so far behind the 8-ball.

However you decide to go, you'll get plenty of help and encouragement here on this site.

cheers
RET

Thanks for the advice guys

The rocket or should I now say rustit is actually a standard sedan.  Does that make a difference to the restoration stakes?

Nige

Hey Nige.
Looks fixable to me. Lot's of work involved. If you are realistic and don't expect it to be done by the end of the year, do a section at a time. Most restos require floor pans, yours just needs a bit more. Some of those rough areas are dings that have been bogged rather than beaten. You will need to know a little panelbeating as well as welding. For me, it would come down to how good the under floor structure is. What are the cross members and inner sills like below the floor? Also, what does the bottom of the A pillar look like where the front subframe bolts on? The rear 1/4's will require lower sections atleast and these aren't available as patch panels. You will have to make them or find a donor car. If you have time and patience, carry on!
Regards
Alex

Hi Nige,after looking at the rear quarter thats got no bottom left its not that hard to repair with some sheet steel, but having said that i cant help thinking the inner sill panels and subframe must be extra rusty as they usually go around the same time and if the repairs already done have been done so poorly then the rest will probably be in same condition at the best,or much worse, also you will find a Mig welder would be easier to use for such a big job.
good luck whichever way you go.
reguards Nick

Nige
     For what it's worth anything is possible, It's just a matter of what your time frame is and what your budget is. With this in mind; before you go much further sit back and have a little think of this. For if you go for it good luck and hope it goes well for you, as you have a long road ahead of you. As for what colour to paint it you will have plenty of time to think about that my friend.

Regards
Sarge

P.S Remember we are all here to help you. For thats what this forum is about.

Nige,

I am considering a change of direction on one of my projects, and as such, I have a very good (and affordable) shell that I could sell you.

It is completely stripped, and the floor, boot, and firewall have been blasted inside, outside and underneath, and then etched primed. (About four weeks ago)

This has exposed some minor areas requiring repairs, but literally able to be knocked over in a 1/2 day with a competent mig welder operator (or oxy). Nothing like your shell.

The roof and quarters were paint stripped to bare metal about 12 years ago, when I originally restored the car, and are wearing the original acrylic that I painted the car in, still in excellent condition. The metal is perfect and original. The car has never been in an accident.

Rear screen and very good headlining are still in the car.

I'd be looking to recover the cost of the sandblasting.

Regards

Edward

0408 200 299.

PS. Car is in Chatswood, Sydney.

Thanks everybody for your frank and honest replies about my pictures of the rocket.

Dave and I have thought long and hard about the Rocket and I may have jumped the gun advertising for a shell (thanks Edward for your offer).  We have decided to give it a red hot go anyway, as Dave said we are in no real hurry to get her back on the road and when we do we want it to be this particular car, for no other reason than it has a lot of bloody character.  

My opinion is that although there may be lots of cheap shells around the place they aren't THIS shell and I reckon that one less of these great cars on the road would be a pity. Sooooooooooo here the journey starts.
More pickies of me burning myself with a welder, and grinding my fingers off to come  :-[, AND no nasty comments from all you gun welders out there about my chicken scratchings  ;)

rust is my friend, rust is my friend......I figure if I keep saying that I will eventually belive it  :D

Good for you Nige.

As my Dad always said "GO FOR IT SON, WE CAN ALWAYS BUY MORE BANDAIDS"

;D

Cheers,

Craig.

Good on ya Nige.
It will take a bit of time, welding rod and sheet metal, but you sound like you have lots of each.
Good Luck and keep us abreast so we may share your success.
Regards
Alex

Nige,

Good luck with it. If you change your mind, or you or your brother want to check out what a clean shell looks like, let me know.

Looking at your photos again, I still reckon it would be the best $500 you ever spent.

Did I mention all the door rubbers are still in it?

Regards

Edward

Nige & Dave
        Good luck with your new adventure. Just remember that we are all here to give you support & help in any way thats possible. As for the welding side of it practice makes perfect.

Regards
Sarge

I agree with Fast Eddie,the$500 shell sounds a good option and im sure it would be a good shell going by the quality cars he has.
You can still put your standard ID tags in the new shell and keep your original subframe,so it will still be a standard.
And you will still be savind an FE,just one with a different shell.When it is all finished,no one would know anyway,[apart from 550 forum users].
Just my 2cents worth,good luck what ever way you go.

Cheers geoff