Brendans Project

[BrendanC]

Gedday all, I thought it about time to have some input to this forum, I have certainly had my fair share of output from it. This is a pic of my Fc the day I got it home which is about 3.5 years ago. I`m hoping this works, I`m not very computer literate. If all goes well I`ll post more pics of the progression of the car over the last few years. Its still not on the road, but is probably about 80% complete. I have a wife who is an accountant, and each month after pay day I have to submit my request for funds for the project. It was an $1100.00 purchase in Feb 2000, and I have all the reciepts so far for what I`ve put into it. I havent added them all up but I know I`m well over ten grand. But for those of you that have done a restoration, you would know that thats not hard. Anyway, if this works, there will be more to come. Chow, BrendanC

[BrendanC]

It wasnt in real good nic. It needed new sills (thanks Ken), and 3 floor pan sections. The doglegs needed to be re-crafted.

[BrendanC]

You could see through the floor. It was a bit of a Fred Flintstone mobile.


The interior is in pretty good nic,


But the engine bay and motor were a bit neglected.

[BrendanC]

After reading the article in the tech section I decided to have a crack at replacing the sills myself. As you can see it was fairly bad, but Kens article was written well enough for me to have a go. I had never tried anything like this before.



I had to replace three floor pans:

[BrendanC]

Once it was stripped, it was off to the painters for a complete strip back to bare metal and then paint. Other than the lower sections, (sills & floorpans,) the body was in very good condition. There was no bog or dodgy repairs.

[BrendanC]

[BrendanC]

Once I got it back to my shed, out came the front end and diff for an overhaul and paint. I only paid the painter to lay on the red and white. I did the rest myself.


When I pulled the car appart, I bagged and tagged everything. This made the reassembly so much easier given the length of time between dissasembly and reassembly.



Everything got gaskets and seals, and then paint.

[BrendanC]

My little man was never far away during all of this, but i`m not sure if he`s learnt anything.



I dont think this came out as clear on the screen as I had hoped.


This is the next project, although we use it now, but its just not quite the same behind a hilux!


I`ll post more pics as I get them developed. The car is now considerably more advanced than in these photos.

Chow for now,

BrendanC.

[slim]

Looks like another good Fc will grace our Roads very shortly , Good work . Looks like you have a good size workshop there , and a good supply of Bags and tags . Cheers SLIM

[RET]

Brendan,

Looks very nice indeed.  The early '59 paint scheme is the most appealing of all the FC variations I reckon.  I look forward to seeing it on the road, maybe at Jindabyne?

cheers
RET

[johnrap]

 
Brendan your doing a fine job the paint colour looks great,
Even thought you have heaps more to do your on a down hill run

great work.

         John

[customFC]

Hey Brendan.
Great photos, they really show the work you have done. Those old sills were bad. Looks like the hard stuff is done, and your down to the fiddly bits. Keep us posted. Look forward to seeing it on the road some day.
Regards
Alex

[2brite]

Those photo's bought back many memories
Great work Brendan,look forward to the finnished product.

Cheers 2brite

[Jonesy]

Great Picts I cant wait till I start my own Special FC sedan.
Keep up the great work and cannt wait to see it finished.

CHEER!
     Jonesy

[BrendanC]

The project reached a new milestone this arvo..... the first drive on the road

I got a 28 day permit from Vicroads so that I can get a front end alignment and do a bit of pre roadworthy testing without stuffing around with transporting on a trailer.

I came home and stickytaped the permit to the windscreen, kissed my wife and baby boy, and roared off into the world in my good as new car.

First stop to the servo for some LRP. I couldnt believe the stares I got from people as I cruised along. I was grinning from ear to ear as I looked out across the shiny bonnet as I drove along.

The only other FC I have ever owned was a ute I used as a paddock bomb on my dads farm. I had never actually driven one on the road before. This car was not registered when I got it, so it has always been trailered. Come to think of it, this was the first time I had ever been in any FC traveling along the road!!!

After three and a half years of blood, sweat and beers, I was finaly driving an FC on the road.

I drove out of town, slowly worked my way up to 60MPH, I could smell the paint baking on the exhaust manifold. I drove at 60 for about one minute marveling a how quiet the car was when all of a sudden I heard a clunk clunk clunk!!! and a shudder in the steering wheel. Oh F--- I thought. It turned out to be a combination of a loose wheel bearing and loose wheel nuts! The wheel was wobbling around. Anyway, a call for some tools and a jack (coz I had none with me...doh) and I was back on the road no damage done.

The permit only allows for the car to be driven 7am to 7pm, but I found myself a few kays out of town, in the dark, with very poorly aligned headlights at about 7.30pm. I didnt get sprung though so I`m a happy man.

Anyhow, I have the bumpers and overiders at the rechromers in Melbourne and I should get them back later this week. Just bolt them up and its roadworhty time. All finished.

I have some up to date pics on a roll of film in my camera so I`ll get them developed and post them as soon as I can.

Chow for now,

Brendan.

[HARKO]

I can picture that smile Brendan ,Ive had it a few times.

Now this is what its all about huh  

[customFC]

Hey Brendan.
That first drive is THE best.
Another high will be taking your wife and son out cruisin, just to show the missus why you spent all that time in the garage.
Looking forward to the new pics.
Regards
Alex

[robbzfc58]

brendan   congrats...don't it feel good.& the reaction from others is just a bonus. lucky  bloke with that wheel....i guarrantee you will never have loose wheel nuts again
              cheers trev

[Sarge]

Brendan
            Congrat's the pic's look great and cannot wait to see the finished poject. Enjoy the drive my friend.

Regards
Mark

[zulu]

Good work Brendan, took your time & took care, & it shows, good luck with the caravan, I've just completed one & can email pics and advise if required. Welcome to the caravan club, robz58 from these boards also has a van.
Regards Gary