BONNET BIRDS

[ferdi]

I'm looking for an accurate/comprehensive guide to help me identify what original bonnet birds were attached to which FB/EK models? I have an original FB promotional booklet (image attached) and none of the images in the booklet feature bonnet birds. Was this an optional extra? Any help greatly appreciated

[In the Shed]

Hi Ferdi,
Here is a picture from an advert on Gumtree ($60) of an FB/EK bonnet bird which were an accessory.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/thornlan ... 1136718525

Regards
Stephen

[Harv]

G'day Ferdi,

I'd imagine that there were a number of aftermarket bonnet budgies fitted, and some of the FE/FC or FX/FJ mascots used. To the best of my knowledge though there was only one FB/EK bonnet budgie (part number 7406655), as per the photo above.

Fitting instructions are in this thread:
http://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtop ... 30&t=16572

Cheers,
Harv

[rosco]

Hi Ferdie,
as Harv posts - only one type fitted as a Nasco accessory... that I am aware of.
My old bus was retro fitted as a family gift to the owner - when they ran out of things to buy him on his birthday/father's day etc.....
I have pix of the vehicle when it was first brought home - the bonnet bird was not fitted then, nor the door handle scuff plates - it did have the radio, but nothing else other than what Special sedan models were fitted with on the production line.

The bird is a two piece, chrome plated white metal component. If not NOS, look for the traditional "bubbles" and pitting in the white metal under the chrome. They can be re-plated, but chrome platers will usually not guarantee a perfect finish - white metal is a mongrel to plate... more so if the base metal is less than perfect.

Other chrome plated white metal on our buses are - rear tail-light assemblies, door handles, front eye-brows and bonnet bar, original Nasco locking petrol cap, quarter vent handles, interior door and window handles, instrument cluster, horn ring, sun-visor attachments, rear view mirror arm, rear seat door hanger holders, body letters and special badge, hydramatic badge, wiper arm bezels, vent lever cover, dome light base, starter switch knob and ring, on an FB - front indicator assemblies and grille inserts.... and probably a few more I can't think of for now..... the bumpers, over-riders and hub-caps are chrome plated steel. Most of the rest of the trim is stainless steel - which can be worked up to a brilliant almost as new finish on a buff....

By now, just about any vehicle in use will have a certain degree of ageing of this material... it was used to make moldings of the unique shapes which adorn our dear old buses.... at the time, no-one expected these to have still been around some 57 years later.... finding NOS items without taking out a 2nd mortgage on the house is now well beyond reality...

Re-plating white metal is a risk... the end result often to be disappointing to those who demand flawless return for the very high price paid.

For this reason, mainly - I have chosen not to replate any of my white metal chrome-work... just a very occasional wipe over with extremely light cleaner and copious layers of waxes to keep it sealed.

frats,
Rosco

[Harv]

I'm thinking in a similar way to Rosco around the chromed white metal on my EK wagon. Whilst nice, shiny chrome looks beautiful, you really do need a second mortgage to afford it, with no guarentees. I've been choosing the "best bits" out of my spare parts department, polishing them up and then accepting the odd pimple/scratch. Breaks my heart a bit when the shiny red paint looks so good, but for a daily driver the cost of rechroming would be prohibitive.

Cheers,
Harv

[ferdi]

Thanks so much everyone for the quick replies. Great help & much appreciated.