Hav'n a go -59 FC Ute

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Well after being a member of this forum for more than a year and recently becoming a member of the Qld Club I thought it was about time I did a serious post. I purchased a 1959 FC Ute in March 2008. The car is the same age as me. Probably paid too much but I think as the saying goes its worth what someone else is prepared to pay and at the time I thought I got a bargain. Over time I have made some decisions about what the rebuild will look like and includes - HR Front end with Torana front rack, Commodore dics allround, Commodore Diff (shortened), Celica Five speed inc enlarged tunnel, keeping grey motor with twin carbies, petronix "points", SBC alternator & Fuel Pump, 80l Commodore fuel tank, Jag Leather buckets seats. Have purchased all of these parts. Up until Christmas 2009 and following a serious accident, I have been dutifully scouring magazines and this site for inspiration. I was able to begin the restoration in earnest at Christmas.

Not sure how often i will be able to post, but hope you will enjoy my Ute restoration as much as I have enjoyed reading about everyone elses. I am hoping to finish before I am 55, but as everyone knows that will be determined by the almighty $.

Ken I have included what I think are the numbers you need ( very clear this must be done straight up )

Regards Wayne

[CraigA]

Great post. I love the picture of the three of you working on it together.

Good luck with your project.

[NosFEratu]

Hi Wayne and welcome to your first "serious" post! 

John and I have had a great time checking out your post so far and we look forward to seeing more from you.  I must say, you look pretty stoked in that shot with your plates! Little things like a nice fresh set of plates (especially something special like those) are a good incentive to keep you going until you can finally hang them on the car for it's first drive.

Obviously you and your dad (and hopefully your son too) are gonna have a ball working on your ute!  Keep up the work and keep posting.

BTW -  I don't think yours is the only bench top that looks like that every now and then! 

Kathi

[EffCee]

Hi Wayne,

Love your post! Being able to have a bit of history with a car is always good. Fantastic that the three of you are able to work on the car together. As far as the tools are concerned, my garage always looks like that There just never seems to be enough room for everything to go away neatly, or enough time to pack everything away.

I don't know if you have ever been looking for a tool, and then start to have a tidy up, find the tool that you are looking for, and then get stuck back into the job, only to find that when you have finished the whole area is messier than before? It happens like that on most days for me.

Great score with the plates, they will certainly give you a lot of inspiration to have the job finished

Good luck with it, keep us posted on your progress

Keith

[mcl1959]

Nice looking ute - thanks for the numbers. There is also a chassis number on the drivers side skirt about half way along

Regards Ken

[Ol_Girl_58]

Hi Wayne,

Excellent first 'serious' post. I like how you've documented your moves so far - it will make an interesting read once you're done.

Like others have posted, I like the photo of three generations working on the ute.

Nice score on the ebay bargains. You've got a grille badge too...    Hang on to that.

Kind regards,

Josh

Ol_Girl_58

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad thats over(the first post). Took some time and the challenge now is too finish.

Ken will get you the additional number next weekend, away for the week.

Will keep you posted.


Regards


Wayne

[DN2168]

Wayne, Mckees hill is only about 15 mins form my place, did you see Deano's monaro while you were there?

Dean.

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Wayne, Mckees hill is only about 15 mins form my place, did you see Deano's monaro while you were there?

Dean.

Yes Dean I saw the monaro and I thought a corvette or something similar and a number of early holdens as well. Talk about shed envy, Deano certainly had the sheds for it. Nice guy and I hope to report back to him that the project is finished.

Regards

Wayne

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Nice looking ute - thanks for the numbers. There is also a chassis number on the drivers side skirt about half way along

Regards Ken

Ken, I believe this is the number missing - Chassis number-FC 13670 B.

Regards

Wayne

[mcl1959]

Thanks Wayne

Ken

[FC0058]

Hi Wayne
Loved your post and your work. Enjoy your resto as will enjoy your updates. Hope to see you and your ute at the Nationals One Day Soon.

Jim

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Not much of an update. I guess like many before me those 4 bolts on the "Y" frames are not your best mates are they? Total of 5 hours and still have one to go. The one into the sill. Looks like next week end now before the front half is removed.

With the rain we are having in South East Qld it is very difficult to see under the car at the moment with glasses on. I guess this is a sun shower compared to our brothers in Nth Qld and Darwin. Don't know how they tolerate the moisture in the air. Perhaps more alcohol.

Anyway hope to have a photo of 2 halves next week.

Regards

Wayne

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Well the 2 halves took 4 weeks, not 1 as originally thought. Whilst not in the engineering class of others I am still pretty happy getting this far.

Regards Wayne

[hrpremier]

Great to see the progress pics and to see the project coming along nicely.

Hope you have not found to many nasty surprises so far.  Keep the enthusiasm up and progress pics coming.

Easter 2012 is not that far away 

[GMVAN]

Great project wayne, Only one problem though, I thought I was reading my own post because your shed looks exactly like mine, Same bench covered in tools, Same concrete covered in oil & dirt & same size shed never ever enough room.Can't wait to see more Pics. Keep up the good work,  Steve (FCV8VAN)

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Thanks Guys. Yes the shed space is a problem. Just means you have to go a bit slower. Plenty of time.

Regards  Wayne

[GMVAN]

Wayne I also have got some good number plates for the Van I too will show them on here once I remember where they are, and how to put photo's on here again steve

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Well finally have something worth posting. Things are moving slow but steady.

Bringing home some cleaned and painted parts.


















Some buckets seats. I like the idea of these with a fully integrated seat belt system out of an early model land rover.

Funny how much we accumulate over time. All of these bits of to get cleaned and primed.







The blind is in great nick so its off to the Powder coater.



Anyway at least some progress. The next step is to get it up on the Rotisserie.

Regards

Wayne

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Some buckets seats. I like the idea of these with a fully integrated seat belt system out of an early model land rover.

In case you haven't thought about it, seats with inbuilt belts will need some extra bracing at the mounts, if the worst should happen, they now have to cope with the weight of the seat and the occupant being flung around.