Just a matter of intrest.

[Digger]

 
I took a look at a fc ute today out in Dalesford Vic and the grille, head light rims and blinkers where all painted the same colour as the car, the ute has been repainted at one stage but the old fella that owns it swore black and blue the first of the FC utes where one colour.
Is he right, i can not find any info to help.

Interested,
Digger

[mcl1959]

Digger,   he is right, all FC utes and vans had painted grilles, headlight & taillight surrounds when released on the 8th of May 1958.  This proved so unpopular with the buying public that a Sales Bulletin (M864) was released by GMH on 6th August 1958 to the following;
"Effective immediately, painted grilles on Holden Utility and Panel Van are discontinued and these models will be fitted with chrome plated grilles
No change will be made in list price for the chrome plated grille units and there will be no bonus covering Dealers' stocks on the units with painted grilles."

As a consequence, only FC vans and utes made in the first 3 months of production have then painted grilles.  The painted tail light and head light surrounds remained to the end of the model, however they were still unpopular and many dealers fitted chrome tail light and head light surrounds from the showroom floor, which is why many original owners of utes and vans claim that they always had chrome surrounds and not painted ones.

Ken

[customFC]

Thanks for the info Ken. That would make those painted grills pretty rare.
Regards
Alex

[Richard Treacy]

Yes, he is right.  Station Sedans (wagons) are interesting too.  My father bought an Adobe Beige FC Standard wagon new in 1958 - it had chrome grille and blinkers, but no chrome to the headlamp covers, and no chrome on the rear side.  He later optioned the other features to Special status (blinkers !!, seats), but even though he ordered a Special, he took delivery of the standard model because the Special had that disgusting chrome from the rear doors back.  We kept that treasured car for 30 years.