Hilda's Extreme Makeover

[Emu]

Hey Dave,

I know that trip from Uni to the Coast too well!

U r most welcome to drop in anytime. Just send me a PM when ur coming down. Hilda should be finished in a few weeks. (Not too optimistic am I Sarge?).

Oh and congratulations, you were the 5000th viewer of "Hilda's Extreme Makeover"  

Your prize is awaiting your visit.

Matt F

[Emu]

I think this photo explains my interest in FC Wagons.

My Dad (nice shorts) mum (nice hair) big sister (nice knees) and me (nice baby) all with the family wagon (nice car).

[Emu]

Here's one of the FC, almost brand new about 6 months before the previous pic. Nan n Pop get a guernsey.
That's me "in vitro" behind mum's maternity frock.

[robbzfc58]

nice  family snaps  emu

could that be a perspex sun visor on the fb wgn in the back ground
  cheers trev

[Emu]

Thanks for all the accolades fellas. They all belong to Kev n Sarge.

Yes Trev, I think you r right about the perspex sun visor!

Its been a while since I've updated but apparently "Slowly, Slowly the bird builds its nest" eh Ed.  

Latest Instalment: Rubber.
After much deliberation and searching around, I went for a Rares kit. I know some will be horrified and some will approve.
The rubber has caused Kev n Sarge some grief. The door rubber profile seemed too fat and Kev has spent significant time actually grinding down some of the rubbers to fit. The same problem occured with the tailgate rubber and we still don't have that sorted. The rear quarter glass rubber (not the door quarter glass) were beyond modification and will be sent back along with the cowl vent rubber for an FJ which arrived with the kit.
There were a few bits missing as well.
I think I'll reserve judgement until all the rubbers are in and I can give you an overall impression of the Rares kit.

Here's a shot of the doors with the rubbers fitted but not glued.

[Emu]

Kev spent hours fastidiously aligning the doors...... only to find that when the rubbers were installed, they pushed the doors around slightly, stuffing up his good work.

[Emu]

My 12 y.o boy Jesse holding a bumper from Coffs Harbour. Not a real clear shot but the work was excellent.

[Emu]

And just to show you how versatile the Sarge is.......
he can jump back and forward 5 years or so in a single bound and work on 2 styles of classic Holden at once!!

Not as good as your Kath, Kiwi, but he should be one day  

That's my business partner's EH getting the Sarge treatment.

[streetneat]

Congratulatios on sorting all that rust out. Seems Sarge is not a bad hand on the fabrication front. See you guys didnt need me afterall. ( although I still think a complete cowl cut would have saved many hours of work!)
Its refreshing to see how others deal with these sorts of repairs - considering you guys dont have to do this sort of stuff on a daily basis - you have definetly turned out a fine looking wagon! Just goes to show what mates that get together can acheive...... I dont have that luxury - I normally get roped into fixing others nightmares and the favours quickly forgotten when its recalled.
I have been working around the clock on the wifes FC sedan and its in the final paint stages now with the body shell painted ,powdercoating done,Mechanicals all built and detailed. Chrome is still away at the platers and the trimmers have all the interior. Being organised is important - but sometimes these third parties hold  things up by taking forever to get around to doing your job.
Progress for any one interested can be viewed here;
http://gallery.oldholden.com/Mrs-Streetneats-FC
Keep up the good work Emu and team - look forward to seeing the end result - looks great so far!
Cheers streetneat

[Sarge]

Hey Streetneat
                     Thanks for the kind words, coming from somebody that does this sort of thing for a living it means a lot. As for the cowl vent I too would have like to have done a complete cowl vent cut much easyer that way. Emu is over the moon with the end result, just waiting on a few part to finish off Hilda. Emu gave me the wagon that he had as a donor car. So it looks like I may even get to start on this before christmas (so much for retirerment). This is when I get to do a complete cowl vent cut in. I got a really good one off Doug up at Bribbie. I just couldnt bring myself to cut this wagon up any more than Emu already had. It's funny how it all turned out after just running into each other on the beach, with me just asking him if he called his wagon Hilda. Now look I have gotten right back into the restoring of old Holdens again, and made a bloody good friend along the way. Only draw back with Emu comes Kiwi.lol oh and more work than I can poke a stick at, but the friendship is the best part.

Cheers
Sarge

[streetneat]

Ah - your  enthusiasm will start to wane after you start on your own project....unless you get a coffee machine or a resident emu to keep your caffeine levels up!- ask Emu if or when you cark it from hardening of the arteries from all that caffeine - if he would be so good to carry you off to the morgue in the fiinished wagon....Kiwi could be the chuaffer- after all what are mates for?
Morbid bugger arent I?......
Should you need any cowl cuts or other prime cuts of FC then bear in mind I keep a selection of the finer cuts on hand.
Of course Emu would be keeping you as a freind - you get a lot of friends when you donate great lumps of your time  for Holden restoration
Cheers streetneat

[gp]

Hey Emu & Sarge,
It's a pity I didn't get the chance to come and see Hilda while we were up there the other day........she's looking great!!
I see you also have one of my other great loves in the shed, I'm also an EH owner (& proud of it!!).

You're both doing a great job by the looks of things, can't wait to see Hilda at Jindabyne.

Cheers,

Graham

[Emu]

Hey Streets,
Yep thanks for the nice words for Sarge and don't forget Kev, the painter. Your thoughts are much appreciated coming from a Master.

Morbid - yes but what better way to be carried off?

Possibly a bit cynical too. I'd like to think the Sarge and I became mates because of our common interest in FE/FC's (amongst other things). I didn't MAKE him my mate so he could work on Hilda. That would be like me suggesting your wife only married you so you can restore an FC for her!   She didn't did she  

Thanks again.

Emu

[Sarge]

Streetneat
               I cant think of a better send off can you. Just for the record, Emu and I were mate's before I offered to help with Hilda. Just as we will be for a long time to come. Working on Hilda has never been a problem for me, a mate needed a hand and I had two to spare. As for Kiwi being the chuaffer I dont think he is able to reach the pedals. Oh and as for my own project, thats no problem it's not the first nor will it be the last. With Emu makeing the coffee and taken the photos and Kev with his spray gun it wont take long at all.

Graham
           Your right, It would have been good to catch up. May-be next time. Emu can bring Hilda and I can bring Bella, hopefully.

Emu
      Sorry for hijacking your post, and dont worry nobody who has meet Kevin could forget him. The Good blokes always stick with you.

Kiwi
     Bite me.lol

Cheers to all
Sarge loyal friend of the Emu

[streetneat]

No -no Emu - hardly cynical of  your friendships -- It quite plainly shows that you have some very loyal mates. I found reading all your posts  quite refreshing  to see how you tackled adversity with a little help from your friends - which you are obviuosly greatful for.
I chose to do what I do - owning a business is going to make me slightly cynical of 'mates' that show up and want things done for nix  - some of course mistake Charity as a  sign of weakness and want to exploit it  in my case - but the fun of having mates around to build projects  and help consume  beverages is what makes life and projects that much more enjoyable.Makes for good reading too!
We are still working on the mystery of why my wife married me......some questions are best left un answered  
Your car is the same Colour scheme that my wifes started out as - we chose to do something a little different but for the same reasons as yourself.
Like you I built ( and still building) the wifes car to replicate a car from my childhood. When finished I will park it across the road in the same spot  where the old one sat for a piccy - it means bugger all to any one else but myself - but thats the motorvation for it. Its a race against time though - the neighbors have moved out and the farm is being developed.....so far there has been little tearing up of the property.
Cant say we have come up with  names for our FC's  ours are just called the Custom, the ute , and mummies car.....or just the FC in each ones case - which does get confusing.
Maybe I should just  stick to just reading posts - I seem to have a track record for having to qualify my comments on this board LOL.
Cheers and good luck streetneat.

[FC-V8]

Streetneat
            I can understand where you are coming from with some of your comments as rebuilding cars is your business & your income & in business if you keep doing jobs from people for nicks you wouldn't be in buseness very long. But most of the people using this site are just people how share a comment interest in FE/FC'S & often mates just helping mates which is a good old aussie custom.
Glenn
P/S Emu the wagon is looking excellent

[FC0058]

Emu
More photos please, you must realise that I live to far to just pop over and sneak a peak.

I must make a trip down in the near future and have cuppa with you , Sarge and Hilda.

[normd]

Emu , Emu , Emu  and not forgetting Sarge & Kev ..

  Mate , "Nothing" will ruffle your Feathers when Hilda is finished , she looks absolutely fantastic .   Been a while since I've been able to sit and have a good look in here , but I think it has been worth the wait.
   It is a project you ALL can be proud of.

    Norm  

 PS Congrats , on a job well done with mates.

[Emu]

Thanks for the kind words Glenn and Norm.

Jim, I'll get some photos happening soon.

Hilda is at the trimmers as we speak. I bought a NOS headlining on Ebay (thanks for the "Heads Up" Geoff) and it was beautiful. By the middle of next week she will have new side panel cards for the cargo bay complete with speakers, new vinyl over the wheel arches back there, new headlining and wind lacing of course, new kick panels up front.
Hilda had no sound/heat proofing under the dash. I'm looking for a more effective way of doing that with the trimmer. Often they'll run underfelt up there and carpet over. I am going for rubber mats in Hilda as she is essentially a surf wagon and will be employed taking my 4 boys the surf most weekends. I think the rubber mats are more practical.
Soooo the trimmer has suggested running underfelt all over there and using vinyl over the top.
Anyone had any experience here?

Watch this space.

Emu - Excited Bird!

[normd]

Hey Emu   ( bird with large steps)
    Sounds like Hilda is coming along in "leaps & bounds" .   Better get that camera out, WE WANNA LOOK       ( at the car that is   )

   Norm