Bird and Fins or NOT ???

[Blown_FC]

The previous owner has debadged and filled in all the trim holes on my FC Special.   I'm getting it ready for the paint shop and am undecided on whether or not to re-drill the holes and fit the Bonnet Bird thingy and the rear tail fins ?

My car will be 2 tone Champagne over Burgundy, and I've tried searching this site for good pics, but nothing really found.

If you have an opinion or better still (pics) of a car with or without these chrome bits, please post so I can check them out and decided what to do.

PS...I am having all other chrome bits fitted, from the HOLDEN on the bonnet, to the side strips ect....just not sure about the rear fins and bonnet ?

Cheers

Mark

[Burnsy]

Mark I think if you are fitting all the side strips, fit the whole lot - lots of chrome looks great over a nice paint job.  I am a believer in the all or nothing as far as chrome goes.  

Just waiting for the bog to crack on all my side strip holes where the previous guy never welded them up so I can drill them out and fit all my stainless back on.

Cheers,
Burnsy

[RET]

Mark,

I'd agree with Burnsy on the fins: if you're going to have the rest of the stainless, put the fins on too.

However, the bonnet mascot was an accessory, not standard fitment, so it's very much a question of personal preference.  If you like them, put it on.  If you don't, leave it off.

Here are a couple of views of a car without one:


And here is a car with one:


cheers
RET

[Martin]

One reason I like the FC is because of the lots of chrome, so I reckon go for it, Mark - and it ain't an FC without the fins.

I have a bird to go on my car.  Did NASCO put out fitting instructions for it - i.e. the measurements from edges for the holes?  If so, could somebody please post them here.

Thanks,

Martin

[Blown_FC]

Martin..I have a donor car on my block which has the holes drilled for the bonent bird...so if I get a chane, I'll measure it up and draw you  pic !

But pretty much put a dab of paint on the 4 locating bolts ( of the bird ), and place it on the bonnet where you think it looks right, then take it off, leaving 4 little paint marks showing where to drill the holes.

Failing that....I'll get the measurements for you.

Cheers

Mark

[Blown_FC]

Thanks guys......Think I may follow your advice and go with the Fins for certain...and the bird......well.....it's growing on me !

Cheers

mark

[RET]

Bird bird bird: Bird is the Word

[-KIWI-]

um speaking for myself and im sure emu would agree ya got to have the bird




kiwi also a bird

[Emu]

Go the bird!

Be sure sure to select a tall thin one, not a short fat one!!

Emu - Tall, thin, handsome  bird.

[fcfromscratch]

Guys,

when placing the bird to mark the holes, be aware of the placement with respect to the double skin section at the front of the bonnet....you could get the hole on the edge of it so as the nut is halfway on and off.....(ask me how I know this!!!!).

would be better to wait for measurements.....

cheers...Brad

[customFC]

NO bird.
I feel the FC looks cleaner without the bird.
Regards
Alex

[Martin]

Thanks, Mark, that scheme was how I pictured getting the holes in place relative to each other.  

And thanks for the warning Brad - Sure as hell that's what I would have done!

I've placed the bird on the bonnet - "too far forward".  Shifted it - "too far back".  I dunno - I'm male - I need measurements, not perceptions.  That's why I asked the question. I've got NFI

Martin

[Blown_FC]

martin......I haven't forgotten about you, I just haven't had time to get into the old car to measure up.

Cheers

Mark

[Martin]

Thanks, Mark.

There's no rush.  I probably won't be getting to it for a couple of weeks, anyway.

When you get to it, you can pm me here or email (my email address is on my profile.

Thanks.

Martin

[Ed]

ditch da boid!

[Shayne]

go the chrome.  be careful to get it all on straight, my bonnet bird on the wagon is crooked.  looks silly driving down the road, but no-one else has had the bad manners to comment on it yet.

here is a link to a previous discussion with measurements for fitting bonnet bird to FC:

http://www.fefcholden.org.au/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=resto;action=display;num=1084527304;start=2

[FCwagon]

Noticed most of the negative response is from jealous FE owners. Can't have too much shiny stuff - go the bird.
If the paint is thick or 2 pack, tape up where the holes are to be drilled first, it'll reduce any chipping and stop the drill buzzing across the bonnet. and like the carpenters rule - measure twice, cut (drill) once, or in my case measure six times then agonise over that first hole.
cheers,
Leigh

[Jockster]

G'day Mark
My FC is basically the same colour as yours, it has the tail fins but no bonnet bird, as a personal veiwpoint all FC's should have the fins I reckon and remeber they are left and right fins not the same for each side.
As for the bonnet bird, back when I was a youth and we all had FC's Holdens the bonnet bird was the first thing to be removed and thrown away as we all liked the cleaner lines of the birdless bonnet.
With the colour scheme you are using I think the bird would look ok, I chose not to fit one because I didn't have one at the time, but I am not against them being fitted these days (if for no other reason than when using the car for weddings you have something to tie the ribbons too without them scratching the bonnet). I think you already have some frontal pics of my car, if not email me and I will send them
Cheers
Jock

[Blown_FC]

Jockster...yet again you have come through with the goodies.......I must meet you one day and have a beer !

I did not realise about the left and right sided fins...I'll be sure to look out for that one...so thanks for helping me avoid an ugly mistake.

As far as the bird goes, I also agree about the smoother lines of NO BIRD......BUT.......I am hoping to use the car for wedding hire, ( with those colours, who could resist ), so a bird would be very handy....also if I'm fitting the fins, then it sort of squares up the rear end a bit, so the front should also be squared a bit to match, and the bird would do that great.

Thanks again

Mark

[Martin]

Shayne,

Many thanks - that's a most helpful (and careful) thread you put up.  


Ed, whaddaya mean

ditch da boid!

?

That doesn't quite fit with the signature line on your posts  

Slowly Slowly the bird builds its nest

 

Sorry for running a parallel thread within your's Mark.


Martin