Newbie - Hello, FC Wagon

[maree_bradross]

Hi there,
I just joined this forum after purchasing a FC wagon off evilbay yesterday. Probably paid too much...
Looking forward to collecting the car in a weeks time. My brother is going to restore it for me - hoping to learn lots from this site to educate myself.
Brother thinks he will have it on the road for me in about 6 months time - I will be using it on weekends as our second car, I was after something vintage and hopefully hold its value.
If someone can tell me how to load pics I will attempt to post some of the old girl that needs a lot of love & hopefully not too much $$$

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Welcome aboard, funs times ahead for you and your brother.
As for pics, get yourself a photobucket account and follow the instructions here - http://fefcholden.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,5613.0.html

[FCRB26]

Welcome aboard..

Which wagon the one with green front fiberglass panels ??

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

This one ? Ebay Item #290505620628

[maree_bradross]

Yes that is the one - is it a terrible buy?

[steamman]

Nothing is a terrible buy if you love it and enjoy it thats all that matters.
Welcome aboard there is lots of advice here in the forum.
Cheers
Deano

[maree_bradross]

Thanks Steamman I have had feelings of what am I doing to real excitement - but if it is really a horrible buy speak now before $$ changes hands in a weeks time.
Brother seems excited by it - he has restored a lot of hotrods, speedway cars

[FCRB26]

I thought that was a pretty good buy floors will be a lot worse when that carpet comes out  i have seen a hell of a lot worse done up


not a fan of glass guards tho...



Pete

[maree_bradross]

Are the glass guards a safety issue foremost?
Are they able to be changed?
Will see what brother has to say about it when I have lunch with him on Thursday

[FCRB26]

Not a real issue just old fiberglass gets ugly crazes and cracks in them im not a fan but hey they might be ok..

Just remeber when stripping the car dont get carried away bag it and tag it is the key..

And dont go rushing out buying every rares part make a list and buy and repair sections as you go make a plan of attack..

[maree_bradross]

thanks for the sound advice Fchoon - really appreciate it

[CraigA]

In my experience its going to take a fair bit of effort (and longer than six months part time) to save a car like that.

You did get it at a low price but restoring it to a registerable and driveable condition is going to cost losts more $$. Maybe 10 times more.

A very good useable wagon in restored weekend driver type condition is going to cost maybe $10k-$14k. Maybe less if you are patient and come across one selling privately and not through eBay or a club.

I hope you don't get disappointed by the length of time or cost of your resto as your enthusiasm is shared by everyone here!!

Good luck and keep posting updates. Exciting times ahead 

[TTV6FC]

Welcome to the forum.Your project looks exciting.Do yourself a huge favour,strip it and get it sand blasted!A car with this much rust is much easier to repair once that's been done (I know,mine looked a lot like yours) otherwise you spend your whole time chasing holes and there will always be rust you can't see.Of course this is only my opinion (wouldn't do it any other way).Good luck.Cheers,Jamie.

[Rusty_T]

 
Hi guys,

Don't let the resto time put you off. I bought a 58 FE Station Sedan that was ready for the tip. I was told I was mad when the pics were shown at a club meeting. I took it on and 6 and a half years later my wife and I drove it to Mt Gambia for the 12th Nationals, where it picked up 3 trophies. My wife drives it now, quite a bit. Like someone has already said here, get it sand basted. You are better off starting with bare metal, so you will know what you are in for. You will be surprised at what is under the paint. Good luck.

Cheers Rusty

[maree_bradross]

Thanks again for the starting point, I am really excited to have this forum as a mentor - yes sandblasting is the first point of order.
Hopefully it won't be too costly (I am very lucky), brother will be able to write a lot of it off against his business and parts will be at cost from the US - I promise I will use this thread as a journal of the restoration journey and the cost.
I will post a picture of when we pick it up on the trailer

[the.jet.57]

Hi there,
I just joined this forum after purchasing a FC wagon off evilbay yesterday. Probably paid too much...
Looking forward to collecting the car in a weeks time. My brother is going to restore it for me - hoping to learn lots from this site to educate myself.
Brother thinks he will have it on the road for me in about 6 months time - I will be using it on weekends as our second car, I was after something vintage and hopefully hold its value.
If someone can tell me how to load pics I will attempt to post some of the old girl that needs a lot of love & hopefully not too much $$$

so no trip to thailand then??

hey sis

[the.jet.57]

got some question's

this fc has a 2.2 motor, (flintstone's could run faster then that) thinking of a baby 253v8 to put in it??

understand there is a few things to do to put it in, but

will the firewall need to be reshape? or put couple inch's back? or will the 253 fit in way it is?

[maree_bradross]

haha you cheeky bugger!! Yes thailand absolutely.

Ok ok, your forum id is way cooler than mine - will have to put my thinking cap on to come up with something better 

[CraigA]

thinking of a baby 253v8 to put in it??

Been discussed a bit before. Ed Ho built a brilliantly executed 308 V8 FE Wagon, sold on but he still frequents the forum.



I love this picture of it - looks like a toy. Nice job Alex 



Try this search

Or here

Or here

[CraigA]

Some more useful stuff

Rods Racks Steering Conversions

Rods Racks Engine Conversions

Contains a list of things he does to fit the 253/308

   1. Removal of existing Motor and Gearbox
   2. Removal of existing Front Kingpin Suspension
   3. Supplied HR Cross member to be modified as per following:
         1. Stripped and Sandblasted
         2. V8 Engine mounts and EJ/H Outrigger fitted
         3. New Ball joints fitted
         4. Painted  (black enamel)

   1. Subframe is recessed to fit bigger radiator.
   2. Radiator and Electric fans fitted
   3. Gearbox Cross member fabricated to suit
   4. Gearbox tunnel altered to suit.
   5. Floor shift fitted
   6. Set up accelerator cable
   7. Set up Demisters (standard heater/demister or 12V hair driers)
   8. Fit seatbelts
   9. Fit Windscreen washer
  10. Fit Battery into boot
  11. Fit Front and Rear Swaybars

Rod Shop Bits & Kits