Holden FC 215 - Ascot Grey

[EffCee]

Sorry, but i get really interested in this type of car.

So do I!, Sorry to divert from the thread, but is it a EK 235 on the build tag? It appears to have "Special" badges. I have never seen one in a metallic though.

Keith

[mcl1959]

I think there were (as usual) 2 suppliers of tail light lenses and they fade differently . Some fade to clear and others fade to orange. For a long time I had an orange lens which I had removed and it was still red around the edges where it was covered by chrome trim.
Through it out a few years ago.

Ken

[RET]

Thanks Steve. The paint certainly came up well and looks like an EJ colour. What were the other differences from a special? Where did you find it, and was there only 1 built,how did you find out about it?
Sorry, but i get really interested in this type of car.
Cheers,
Graham

Graham,

There's a lengthy thread with lots of pics and the car's story on the FB-EK Forum.

cheers
RET

[graham_fuller]

Thanks Ret,
Makes very interesting reading. Where did you find it Steve.
Cheers,
Graham

[zulu]

Have to agree, what a great find Steve, would like to see it when you have time

Gary

[Steve Jackson]

Thanks Steve. The paint certainly came up well and looks like an EJ colour. What were the other differences from a special? Where did you find it, and was there only 1 built,how did you find out about it?
Sorry, but i get really interested in this type of car.
Cheers,
Graham

Hi Graham, apologies on the delay. Been resting a cold in bed for three of four days

Here are the differences for memory from the usual EK Special.

1. Euroa Gold Metallic Paint.

2. Painted (Saturn) Gold Dash top.

3. Painted Gold inner window dividers.

4. Golf Ball Hood Lining.

5. Three chromed clamps on inner top of windscreen ?

6. Power Steering

7. White steering wheel.

8. Radio

9. Heater / Dimister

10. Two speed whipers.

11. Dual Horns.

13. Washer Wipers.

14. Door Arm rests front and rear.

15. Seat Arm rests front and rear.

16. Cloth seats.

17. Carpet.

18. Glovebox light.

19. Boot Light.

20. Chrome door scuff plates.

21. Thumb press dress rims.

22. Power Boosted brakes.

23. EJ style "low coil mount"  side plate

24. EJ "top ledge" radiator.

25. Alloy Rocker cover (was painted metallic Gold with Metallic Green oil cap)

26. Day / Night mirror.

Without being next to the car, can't think of anything else

The car was in the centre of Melbourne since 1975 (Near Victoria Markets) That where I picked it up.

Car was registered May 3 1961 for Harlow W Gage, General Manager of Holden with plate GMH-000. The current plates were fitted 15 May 1962.

Steve



 

[Steve Jackson]

So do I!, Sorry to divert from the thread, but is it a EK 235 on the build tag? It appears to have "Special" badges. I have never seen one in a metallic though.

Hi Keith, I was informed by an ex employee of Holden, that when this car was built the name "Premier" had not been put forward. Though, "Super Special" did come later and was almost lock in, until at the last minute. Then Premier was decided to be the name.

First factory Metallic I have seen on the exterior of an EK

Here is the ID plate ....



Keith

[Steve Jackson]

I think there were (as usual) 2 suppliers of tail light lenses and they fade differently . Some fade to clear and others fade to orange. For a long time I had an orange lens which I had removed and it was still red around the edges where it was covered by chrome trim.
Through it out a few years ago.

Ken

Very interesting Ken. Having a look at the lights on the FC they do appear darker around the edges. However, in the case of FB's, I have a new lens in the box Orange! All the original low milage Nitro FB's I have seen have had Orange tail lights, unless changes.

Steve

[Steve Jackson]

Graham,

There's a lengthy thread with lots of pics and the car's story on the FB-EK Forum.

cheers
RET

Thanks Ret for the link ....

Steve

[Steve Jackson]

Have to agree, what a great find Steve, would like to see it when you have time

Gary

You are welcome anytime Gary!

Steve

[mcl1959]

Steve, do you mean FB's had orange stop / tail light lenses? I am not great on FB EK but I thought they both had red lenses - and the indicator lens was orange.

Ken

[Steve Jackson]

Steve, do you mean FB's had orange stop / tail light lenses? I am not great on FB EK but I thought they both had red lenses - and the indicator lens was orange.

Ken

Hi Ken, yes, the stop light lenses were amber, not as orange as the indicator lenses. That changed with the switch to Acrylic, like the Gold Lion Horn button.

Have you checked out my list on FB-EK ID plates? we should add our lists together

Steve

[DN2168]

Awesome find Steve, it has come up really well.
Congratulations,
                      Dean.

[oldgry]

Hi, I also have an ascot grey standard FC. Love the look of the 215's as they seem to stand out more than the specials. Mine looks just like yours only with whitewalls and spats. I brought it quite a few years back from this forum so some on here would know of it.

Cheers Rick

[Cooper]

up for sale

http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/lot/L956Y513CE8ABD2O

[fink fc]

You buy a lotta Gold chains if it gets top$$$$$$

[sunnytim]

Steve, do you mean FB's had orange stop / tail light lenses? I am not great on FB EK but I thought they both had red lenses - and the indicator lens was orange.

Ken

Ken, I have seen a few very late FC's with Amber Stop Lenses that definately were not faded.  A friend of mine had one in the late 80's early 90's (original low mileage car) that had these fitted.  I have seen an article (I thought it was a 1960 Service Bulletin but it is not in the index in my collection) that discussed the phasing out of the amber lense on the FB and mentioned its introduction in late 59.  Apologies I can't find it, but from what I recall there were changes to Vic legislation that GMH appiled nationally.  THis only lasted a couple of months and the bulletin discussed replacement with red lenses.  Finding amber lenses on early FB's is very rare today because (even today) people change them as they believe they are faded.  Like Steve I have a NOS FB amber lense in the box.  It has the same part number as a later lense, but it is definitely orange and brand new. 
It would be worthwhile looking closer ay people's collections of lenses from late FC's and I bet one turns up also 

[NosFEratu]

re the orange tail light lenses..... my November 1956 FE (Adelaide build) had orange tail light lenses.  They were definitely not faded and, given my car's history, I know they had never been replaced. They were replaced with red ones when I changed to wide whites and red rims as they better suited the overall look of my car. 

[mcl1959]

The bulletin is H150G from Oct 59 and refers to the change of the clear back up lamp to orange - this coincided with the change to orange indicators - nothing to do with orange brake lights.
I have never seen an orange brake lens other than those that have faded from red. There is no documentation that I have seen supporting their existence and logically I cannot see why GMH would do 2 different colours

Ken

[NosFEratu]

I'm sorry Ken, there may not be any documentation but I know what was on my car from the factory. When my original tail lights were removed both John and I inspected them carefully and there was no evidence to suggest they had faded from red. I have not bothered to enter into discussions about orange brake light lenses before because, in all honesty, it's just not worth it..... I know my car and John knows my car - no-one else does. I'll leave it at that and hope you all have a nice day.