FC/FE Wagon enquiry

[leppijlk@virtual.net.au]

Could anyone help with the history/story behind the following vehicle. My father purchased new an FC or FE wagon. But it was unusual in that it only had three doors! There was no back right hand door. The window was a sliding one. I remember that one of my fathers mates also bought one at the same time.  The story I remember was that holden was short of wagon bodies so they converted pan vans. Probably not true! What was the real story behind the 3 door wagons. Thanks Jim PS. I have a photo if that helps (not a good one though)

[Richard Thomas (Guest)]

I've seen a few of these vehicles, but they are quite uncommon.  There's no truth to the story about being short of wagon bodies, although the three-door is panel-van based.  There was at least one body-builder / coachmaker who specialised in these conversions.  They were used as ambulances within the military and similar uses.  Ken McLean (a regular here) restored one of these about 8 years ago, and knows more about them than probably anyone.
Hope that helps, RET
PS - I would like to see the photo: ret@nsw.fefcholden.org.au

[Ken McLean]

The 3 door was built by Baileys motor body builders in Melb. Believe it or not but the conversion from a van was cheaper than buying a wagon new from GMH - hence there popularity. I have many articles on this conversion from Royal Auto of the era.

[Jim Leppitt]

Thanks Ken, very interesting. Would like a copy of articles. Please email me.

[zootsuit101@hotmail.com]

apparantly there was a coachbuilder in melb who used to convert the panelvans to a three door wagonette they were built specificaly for the military and were not a common dealer available item. i guess if a dealer put someone on to the coachbuilder they probably could have got one made too.