FC PMG Van Resto Project

[Gman]

Hi all,
Im about to start the restoration of an ex pmg van that ive had in storage for a long time, i'd like to return it to 'as new, pmg spec' but im having difficulty find much info on the fc vans. Mine has the 333 on the id plate which according to don loffler indicates no lh door?... Ive searched high and low for a pic of one to show the sign writing, but no luck. I read on a very old post on here that it may have only had a bucket seat also?

Any information would be helpful, cheers.

[FATBOY]

Talk to zulu he will no
regards fatboy

[Stewy]

Hi Gman, Holdens black book decodes 333 as a Production option
This option was 333  Tailgate window.

Cheers Stewy   

[Gman]

Thanks for the replies guys

Here is the info on the id plate

FC2104S10-7186-A
S13-769
253-9751
333

Please note this info came off a crappy photo i took a while ago, sorry if there are mistakes, hope it helps.

[Stewy]

Yes there are a few unknown numbers in your description.
What we do know is an FC Panel Van the 7186th manufactured in Adelaide.
Trim code 769 identifies as Royal Mail Van
253 is Duco Lacquer  9751 is Post Office Red.
333 is Tailgate window option.
The chassis number and the original engine number would date when assembled.

I am sure there will be some interest from forum members and we like pictures.

Welcome to the forum and ask any questions don't forget there are no wrong questions. (only wrong answers) 

Good luck with the resto I will be watching with interest.


Cheers Stewy   

[zulu]

I am not sure who posted this, maybe Les Hewitt?

Anyway, it is titled Graeme Thorne, so the image may have been related to that case

It appears to be an FE PMG Van possibly, bit hard to tell

Interesting that it appears to be still in service at the time of EK, it seems fleet cars stayed in service longer back then, looks like NSW   

[zulu]

Here is a PMG FC ute

unfortunately neither of these images shows the passenger side where the half door or modified door was supposed to be, although you can make out the passenger flipper window

 


As Stewy says, welcome aboard and bring on the pics

[Stewy]

Best I can do is an FJ




Cheers Stewy   

[Harv]

G'day Gman,

Have you tried contacting Australia Post? I know it sounds funny, but sometimes you catch the right person in head office and it can be very useful. Bootlegger recently completed an EH panelvan that was originally an SCC electricity service van. He contacted SCC (now Ausgrid) and "got the right person" - heaps of archival photos, and even the loan of some genuine service gear. Sounds like they were as excited as he was for the restoration.

Cheers,
Harv

[Gman]

Thanks for all the speedy replies, I think everyone can see the drama im having trying to find a photo of an original one



here's the best of the photos I have at the moment, when it comes out of storage over christmas i'll post some more

[hsv-001]

My FC reads  FC 2104-2849-A   TRIM 351-655  PAINT No 256-2031 RPO 333  .Cheers Haydn

[Gman]

so according to the photo zulu has posted the tail light and head light rims are painted? would i assume grill also.
I have tried many time to get info from aust. post - they don't care (can't find the right person?)

cheers.

[fe350chev]

How cool. Pics of inside cargo area pls, very interesting. When the taxi is finished, I would love to get together with all the themed cars is Vic at the one place.

[DJ]

.......have tried many time to get info from aust. post.....

cheers.

There are some Telstra (PMG) museums around the country. Some are run by volunteers & ex-PMG employees would be more passionate about the history.
They could have the right photos.
Google search on PMG Museums brings up a few.

[mcl1959]

I saw this van at Ballarat swap in 1998, I guess this is where you bought it. Trim code is S8-769. The S8 designates PMG build, the 769 represents Cordon Brown interior which was the same colour as used on most of the services vehicles. For instance, the army sedan I built has the same colour interior.
I have the photo you need, it shows passenger side of an FC van with no door and bucket seat etc etc.
Start a thread on the FEFC forum and I can post the picture. I am hopeless with tap talk.
Ken


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[mcl1959]

Ok found the spot on the forum so disregard forum comment (not flash at tapatalk or iPad Either but trying)
GMan, to answer the question about the grille, no, it would have been chrome. The painted grille was discontinued 6th August 1958. All FC vans and Utes had painted taillight and headlight rims through the whole production. However, dealerships would often dress up Utes and vans with chrome parts to sell them. So stories of Utes that according to long time owners always had the chrome rims can be true.
Ken


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[mcl1959]

Here is the picture

You can see the weather deflection panel that replaces the door quite well

Ken


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[Gman]

Wow, that answers a lot of questions, that photo is invaluable!!!

But it also raises some other questions...

Thats the second type of sign writing ive seen, so what do i use?
How do i work out if mine is supposed to have a lh door or not? The lh door you can see in the photos could be original but could also have been painted...

As far as the story of this van goes, i was given it by a neighbour in about 2007, it had changed hands a couple of times prior to my neighbour getting it with people starting floor rust repairs, the story i have been told by a couple of different people is the it was rescued from the the ballan tip in the late 1990's, thats a great tip on it being spotted at ballarat, cheers.

[Gman]

Ps. Are the rims black?

[DJ]

Were there 2 versions?
Mail vans & PMG service vans.