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Title: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Fast_Eddie on May 22, 2006, 08:39:43 AM I purchased this last week and drove it, or should I say floated it a short distance to my shed yesterday.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/chev1.jpg) It is a '59 Chevrolet Impala Sports Sedan in amazingly original condition. Apparently 12,000miles from new. I've never driven a full sized US car before, let alone LHD. Brakes are unboosted drums, suspension is the closest thing to a waterbed on wheels, and the manual column shift is on the right hand side of the column. Makes an FC feel sporty! It just needs a good detail and a few electrical gremlins sorted for rego. Can't wait! Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius on May 22, 2006, 09:04:51 AM Nice looking car there Eddie, I described the ride in my '66 Galaxie like driving a lounge suite down the road. I had the advantage of 4 wheel boosted drums, though. If you had a sensitive foot, good, if not the brakes were either off or locked :o
Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: FATBOY on May 22, 2006, 09:14:23 AM nice ride eddie harko can you adjust the ride height for me im scared off heights lol
cheers fat Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: SRVLIVES on May 22, 2006, 09:15:02 AM Love them verandah roof Chebbies! 8)
Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: customFC on May 22, 2006, 11:52:17 AM 1 of my favourite cars.
What I would give to play in your toy box. :D Regards Alex Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: collecta on May 22, 2006, 12:03:36 PM Ditto to all the above,
wish it was in my shed. cheers Scott Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Johns on May 23, 2006, 12:08:42 AM Wonderful stuff Ed.
It was a good move to avoid the 59 convertible, this one is much more modest.... 8) I suuppose you need CASA clearance to land it :P Cheers John Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: craiga on May 23, 2006, 12:15:20 AM Quote wish it was in my shed. I wish it was in your shed too....... ::) You need to call the Maritime Services Board for a permit every time you take this barge on to the road. Its only got 12000 miles on it because the original owner couldn't afford the weight tax!! Or maybe he was just scared he'd have to try and stop it at some stage :P Cheers, Craig. Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Ed on May 23, 2006, 12:28:17 AM Hey Ed,
what a HUGE car! hope you enjoy it. looks cool. Cheers Ed Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Fast_Eddie on May 23, 2006, 05:47:06 AM Thanks guys. I'll take some photos tomorrow night and post them up.
Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: SRVLIVES on May 23, 2006, 06:47:48 AM What motor's in it?
Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Phantom on May 23, 2006, 07:20:04 AM G'day all
Isn't it amazing the difference in technology between an American 1959 car and an Australian 1959 car, Cheers Rusty Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: craiga on May 23, 2006, 07:47:14 AM Quote What motor's in it? Geez SRLIVES, take it easy. He just liked the way it looked. It may not even have an engine, you can easily roll a car from Shannons to the land of Fast Eddie. He would have sat there for 20 minutes looking for the steering wheel until he realised it was on the left. And you expect him to find the ignition switch as well? You're a hard task master Mr SRLIVES, VERY tough question.:o Cheers, Craig. Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: fccool59 on May 23, 2006, 08:05:38 AM I think my power window switches for my FC are identical to the ones in that, does it have power windows and seats? A/C? is it a 348 BB, hope your taking it to the nostalgia drags.
Why didnt you just buy a local one, I hear the factory the local ones came from were turning out some of the best cars ever made at the time. Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Fast_Eddie on May 23, 2006, 08:33:15 AM Craig, thank you for your kind words of encouragement.
Fortunately the steering wheel was easy to find, but the column shift on the wrong side of the column (ie right handed) was interesting. I'll keep working on the fine motor skills. SRILIVES, it has a 283 with a three speed manual with overdrive. I haven't progressed passed 2nd gear yet, so I can't tell what the overdrive actually does or whether it works - it is an underdash pull out arrangement - sort of like a bonnet release... Leon, I'm not sure what you mean by a "local" one. If you mean an FC, I have my fair share of those already. If you mean a 59 Chevrolet, I believe they only had a base model four door sedan out here with a six cylinder. This is a four door pillarless Impala, albeit without too many options. It does not have power seats or power windows. Rusty, I agree, it is very different from a FC, more like EJ/EH in a number of areas. The window winders are the same as a FC - but that's about it! I've got my camera back, so tomorrow night I'll definately take some detail photographs. Regards Edward Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: HARKO on May 23, 2006, 08:39:21 AM ery cool Looks awesome ED and brand new ,Something that size stays new for atleast 80 000 klms due to the full chassis boat suspension and wheelbase ,good score.
Did I hear you right leon ? He bought an American coupe thats brand new dude. ;) Id like to warn you of a carpark in Sydney I once entered but I have no idea except its on the water and spirals downward as it narrows. You'll know it when you find it . Its no fun asking 7 vehicles to reverse out so I can back up an old Pontiac. Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: SRVLIVES on May 23, 2006, 09:15:41 AM Didn't that Shannons auction have a 348 manual convertible?
Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Fast_Eddie on May 23, 2006, 09:22:49 AM Yes it did, although it was passed in.
http://www.shannons.com.au/pages/auctions/lot.jsp?id=Z35J3B92A0AQNP2N Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: SRVLIVES on May 23, 2006, 09:26:14 AM Oh good, I've still got a chance then..... :o
Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Johns on May 23, 2006, 06:36:52 PM Harko, your post bought back memories. The car park you refer to is the Kent Street Car Park.
In the late 60s my Dad had a Dodge Phoenix 4 door Hard Top. We had exactly the same problem on the spiral ramp, I remember having to run from the front to the back of the car as we inched our way down, lol :P Cheers John Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Fast_Eddie on May 24, 2006, 09:46:21 PM Camera played up a little last night, but here are a couple of shots:
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/chev3.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/chev2.jpg) Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: craiga on May 24, 2006, 10:51:30 PM Ahoy Captain,
Where do you attach the ski pole? Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Spinner on May 25, 2006, 04:43:17 AM Ed,
I like the way that you've used photoshop skills to reverse the images but keep the badges reading normally. ;) Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: fe hotrod on May 25, 2006, 08:54:04 AM ;)How kool is that??a custom with out even being customized!!i love it,would love it even more if it was parked in my driveway,nice purchase i must say ;)jamie
Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: fccool59 on May 25, 2006, 09:18:06 AM Harko, I was just saying what my wife says when i come home with parts "you had to buy the dearest didnt you"
sure i would take the hardtop over the taxi anyday. These were often optoined with electric goodies like power bench seats, kinda like a baby cadillac. looks like smick nick. Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Johns on May 25, 2006, 09:29:53 PM Ed,
Clearly the Enterprise needs a mate, how about this one? A snip at $20,000. (http://i4.tinypic.com/10n88z4.jpg) Full details are here; http://www.myclassics.homestead.com/1960BuickElectra.html Cheers John Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Fast_Eddie on May 25, 2006, 10:59:35 PM John,
One land yacht is enough for the time being, but thanks for thinking of me. I've followed that web site from time to time - the guy has some interesting cars. Do you know him? Regards Ed Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Johns on May 26, 2006, 02:27:56 AM Yes I do Ed.
I bought a car from him. I'll call you. Cheers John Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: the_love_god on May 26, 2006, 04:28:43 AM Hi All, the owner from new is name Jennie Cochron,now l maybe wrong,but in the 1950s theres was a famous singer name Eddie Cochron and he write a song call Jennie Jennie,it maybe owned by the wife ::) STRANGE,and if you know music Eddie died in the early 60s in a car smash,and the Stray cat has his guitar. Cheers from Alfio
Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Fast_Eddie on June 03, 2006, 10:16:58 AM Some better photos
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/47097b1a.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/9c52821c.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/5fecfe8b.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/a20741a0.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/e3cca087.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/0e5aaaae.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/f0ae1354.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/45a0450d.jpg) Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Martin on June 03, 2006, 10:27:10 AM Beautiful, Ed - I love it. Everything is sooo big
There'd be some massive engineering in the B 1/2 pillars, holding up those massive rear doors. Martin Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: fccool59 on June 03, 2006, 10:32:10 AM I wonder what they were like on side impacts? Looks good but openned up like that.
Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Phantom on June 04, 2006, 09:47:49 AM g'day, i know its wrong for a bloke to say the word gorgous, but fast eddie that is one GORGOUS piece of metal,
Cheers Rusty Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Fast_Eddie on June 05, 2006, 06:48:50 AM Thanks for the comments guys. I can't wait to get it registered and float off into the sunset!
Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: craiga on June 05, 2006, 08:00:48 AM We drove around the block in this thing last week, laughing like schoolgirls. To imagine roads full of these enormous barges beggars belief.
It definitely floats everywhere. It was great to see Ed so challenged driving a such a huge car from the 'passenger' seat, changing gears on the wrong side of the column, and nearly hitting every parked car along the way. When he gets this registered and takes it out and about you MUST take the time to check it out. Its a work of art, when car design was about how a car looked, not how safe it was when an incapable driver smashed it into an innocent tree. 1959 Chev Impala - 100% design over function ;D Cheers, Craig. Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: fccool59 on June 05, 2006, 08:26:13 AM the design room harley Earl (GM designer and tailfin inventor) worked in had a sign on the door that read "Art & Colour", no wind tunnels, just drawings and dreamcar prototypes in the room.
One of my mates had a 60 coupe deville that he bought from a wrecking yard in the states and regisered it over here still in its sunburned paint, the car was bulky and wide but didnt seem to have any more leg room than a FC, When being a passenger it felt real weird being ten foot away from the driver and having no steering wheel infront of me, going alongside other cars was cool. It didnt have the soft ride anymore as he chopped the springs rite out but it did feel like it need both lanes. Remember image is everything, thirst is nothing. Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: Fast_Eddie on March 12, 2007, 06:58:02 AM Registered and on the road... On the way home from Stanwell Park.
This one is of a big launch. Got the revs up, side stepped the clutch and bang, the mighty 283 had the big girl reaching for the sky... ;) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/lo591.jpg) Well sort of... I emptied the rear bags and pumped up the fronts... ;D We put one too many bodies in the boot... (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/lo594.jpg) The plates say it all (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/lo598.jpg) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/lo597.jpg) It really is this much fun... (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/fast_eddie2/chev/lo595.jpg) If you want your very own '59 Impala, follow this link: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230101410008&rd=1&rd=1 Title: Re: Definatley GM, definately '59 but not an FC... Post by: fccool59 on March 12, 2007, 10:12:09 AM hey bandecko, thats loco, i nearly bought this the other week for a temporary run around, my mate owned it for a few years but its made its way south.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250087194498&sspagename=ADME:L:RTQ:AU:1 check the price looks like your going to have fun with the switches there, |