Hello all,
I'm a brand new member of the forum, but have been reading the posts for a while. Thanks for all the good advice contained therein!
I've been trying to piece together info about our FB ute but am missing some bits. Could anyone shed some light on them pls?
Trim 528-832. 528 is the exterior trim, but what does "528" stand for? Does anyone have a chart of exterior trim codes, or does anyone know how to interpret the code? We've got the interior trim and paint codes.
Chassis # FB16789B. Is this a unique vehicle ID number? Does it mean our ute was the 16,789th FB to be assembled? Or is the the 16,789th FB ute to be assembled? Or is it the 16,789th FB vehicle, irrespective of model, to be assembled in Brisbane?
And more general questions:
Does anyone know how many FB utes were made?
Were the FB utes ever released with factory-fitted chrome dash, headlight surrounds and tail light surrounds? Was chrome an optional extra? Ours has a painted dash and light surrounds (original paint scheme).
If it helps, our ute's engine block foundry stamp dates her to November 1960, and she was first registered in Queensland in February 1961. We're only her second owner. She's been in the family for 35 years.
Sorry to ask so many questions but not knowing the answers has been driving me up the wall! :-)
Many thanks.
Cheers .... jacquie
Vehicle identification - FB ute
G'day Jacquie, welcome to the home of FB/EK's.
Can answer a few of your questions and guess perhaps on the rest.
Your FB ute is the 16 789th car to roll off the Brisbane production line.
Not an expert on trim ID's but forum member Sunnytim or Dr Terry would be able to clarify your trim codes.
My GMH Master Parts book gives the trim number 528 as "Field Green" and the number 832 as "Mephisto Red" so I guess if your interior is either green trim or red then thats the colour.................. I think??
Someone will correct me on this if its wrong.
Anything seems to be possible with factory fitting chrome onto commercial vehicles as it seems that special orders were possible from what what I've gathered.
For example,Jacko has a EK Standard Sedan that has a factory Hydromatic but from what I've heard standards weren't available with factory hydromatics.Maybe a special order or an end of model "get rid of leftover parts" factory fitment.
Forum member Dr Terry may know how many utes were made and may be able to clarify some of the other questions you've asked.
Hope that is of help,
Terry.
Can answer a few of your questions and guess perhaps on the rest.
Your FB ute is the 16 789th car to roll off the Brisbane production line.
Not an expert on trim ID's but forum member Sunnytim or Dr Terry would be able to clarify your trim codes.
My GMH Master Parts book gives the trim number 528 as "Field Green" and the number 832 as "Mephisto Red" so I guess if your interior is either green trim or red then thats the colour.................. I think??
Someone will correct me on this if its wrong.
Anything seems to be possible with factory fitting chrome onto commercial vehicles as it seems that special orders were possible from what what I've gathered.
For example,Jacko has a EK Standard Sedan that has a factory Hydromatic but from what I've heard standards weren't available with factory hydromatics.Maybe a special order or an end of model "get rid of leftover parts" factory fitment.
Forum member Dr Terry may know how many utes were made and may be able to clarify some of the other questions you've asked.
Hope that is of help,
Terry.
I can't think what to write here so this will do.
Thank you, Terry, much appreciated.
Q: Is that the 16,789th FB, or the 16,789th car (of any model), to roll off the Brisbane production line?
Re the trim code: The upholstery is mono-tone and is indeed "Mephisto Red". The exterior paint is Dulon "Seagull Grey" (code 585-9892). But there's no green on her anywhere, so I'm guessing the "528" must mean something else. But I've no idea what. Hopefully Sunnytim or Dr Terry will be able to help out.
Cheers & thanks again .... jacquie
Q: Is that the 16,789th FB, or the 16,789th car (of any model), to roll off the Brisbane production line?
Re the trim code: The upholstery is mono-tone and is indeed "Mephisto Red". The exterior paint is Dulon "Seagull Grey" (code 585-9892). But there's no green on her anywhere, so I'm guessing the "528" must mean something else. But I've no idea what. Hopefully Sunnytim or Dr Terry will be able to help out.
Cheers & thanks again .... jacquie
Hi jacquie
The FB16789B chassis number denotes that this was the 15789th FB to roll of the Brisbane assembly line. That's not a typo, because the chassis numbering began at 1001. But Brisbane in those days was only an assembly plant. The bodies were built at either Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney & then the assembly was completed in Brisbane (Perth was similar).
The body number (on the body plate) will read something like FB-2106-3456-S. Where FB-2106 signifies that this is an FB ute & 3456S signifies that it was the 3456th ute body to be made in Sydney. (the 3456 is only an example). If the body was built it would have an A or M for Adelaide or Melbourne.
I've no idea on the exact number of FB utes, but it was probably something like 15,000.
The question about the TRIM number pops up often. GM-H probably used the wrong word on the body plate, because the TRIM number actually relates to both exterior & interior colour combinations. The first part of the number (528) is the GM-H internal code for a car that is painted Seagull Grey all over. If the flash (insert) or roof is a different colour, then the first part of the TRIM number will be a different number again. GM-H use these codes to list their exterior colour schemes, not the Dulux paint numbers. The second part of the TRIM number is simply the interior trim number, in this case, 832 which is Mephisto Red. The interior trim numbers are the ones listed in the parts books. There is no known list of exterior combination numbers.
FB_MAD (Terry) mentioned the Hydra-Matic Standard, these were made in good numbers. They were officially released in late 1962, due to demand from the fleet market. When the EK was first released, GM-H made it clear that if you wanted a Hydra-Matic you had to purchase a Special, but that situation changed. AFAIK there were no Hydra-Martic utes or vans ever made.
Dr Terry.
The FB16789B chassis number denotes that this was the 15789th FB to roll of the Brisbane assembly line. That's not a typo, because the chassis numbering began at 1001. But Brisbane in those days was only an assembly plant. The bodies were built at either Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney & then the assembly was completed in Brisbane (Perth was similar).
The body number (on the body plate) will read something like FB-2106-3456-S. Where FB-2106 signifies that this is an FB ute & 3456S signifies that it was the 3456th ute body to be made in Sydney. (the 3456 is only an example). If the body was built it would have an A or M for Adelaide or Melbourne.
I've no idea on the exact number of FB utes, but it was probably something like 15,000.
The question about the TRIM number pops up often. GM-H probably used the wrong word on the body plate, because the TRIM number actually relates to both exterior & interior colour combinations. The first part of the number (528) is the GM-H internal code for a car that is painted Seagull Grey all over. If the flash (insert) or roof is a different colour, then the first part of the TRIM number will be a different number again. GM-H use these codes to list their exterior colour schemes, not the Dulux paint numbers. The second part of the TRIM number is simply the interior trim number, in this case, 832 which is Mephisto Red. The interior trim numbers are the ones listed in the parts books. There is no known list of exterior combination numbers.
FB_MAD (Terry) mentioned the Hydra-Matic Standard, these were made in good numbers. They were officially released in late 1962, due to demand from the fleet market. When the EK was first released, GM-H made it clear that if you wanted a Hydra-Matic you had to purchase a Special, but that situation changed. AFAIK there were no Hydra-Martic utes or vans ever made.
Dr Terry.
Thanks very much, Dr Terry, much appreciated.
One last Q if I may, pls - where were FB engines made?
Also, I noticed from reading previous posts that you were collecting vehicle numbers to create a database for vehicle identification/dating. Are you still collecting them? I'd be happy to contribute our Ute's numbers if you're still collecting.
Cheers & thanks again .... jacquie
One last Q if I may, pls - where were FB engines made?
Also, I noticed from reading previous posts that you were collecting vehicle numbers to create a database for vehicle identification/dating. Are you still collecting them? I'd be happy to contribute our Ute's numbers if you're still collecting.
Cheers & thanks again .... jacquie
Totally off subject, but whilst looking for engine numbers found this in my collection...............
- it may interest those into figures......
Jan 12 1960 release of FB series - prices (in pounds)
Standard Sedan 1110
Business sedan 1142
Special Sedan 1173
Standard Wagon 1205
Special wagon 1263
Utility or PVan not listed
Total production 174,747
May 2, 1961 release of EK series
Standard Sedan 1106
Special Sedan 1169
Standard Wagon 1200
Special Wagon 1263
Utility or Pvan not listed
Automatic 119 extra
Total production 150,214
July 30, 1962 release of EJ series
Automatic 113 extra
Total Production 154,811
August 1963 release of EH series
Automatic 113 extra
No mention of extra cost of 149 High Comp & 179 engines
Total production 256,927
February 1965 release of HD series
Automatic 114 pounds extra
179 motor 24 pounds extra
179 X2 motor 37 pounds extra
Total production 178,927
April 1966 release of HR series
Automatic $250 extra
186 engine $48 extra
186 X2 or 186 S $145 extra
Total production 252,352
The HD series really got a punishing with that "killer" headlight surround
stigma cleverly created by FMC...................
frats,
Rosco
- it may interest those into figures......
Jan 12 1960 release of FB series - prices (in pounds)
Standard Sedan 1110
Business sedan 1142
Special Sedan 1173
Standard Wagon 1205
Special wagon 1263
Utility or PVan not listed
Total production 174,747
May 2, 1961 release of EK series
Standard Sedan 1106
Special Sedan 1169
Standard Wagon 1200
Special Wagon 1263
Utility or Pvan not listed
Automatic 119 extra
Total production 150,214
July 30, 1962 release of EJ series
Automatic 113 extra
Total Production 154,811
August 1963 release of EH series
Automatic 113 extra
No mention of extra cost of 149 High Comp & 179 engines
Total production 256,927
February 1965 release of HD series
Automatic 114 pounds extra
179 motor 24 pounds extra
179 X2 motor 37 pounds extra
Total production 178,927
April 1966 release of HR series
Automatic $250 extra
186 engine $48 extra
186 X2 or 186 S $145 extra
Total production 252,352
The HD series really got a punishing with that "killer" headlight surround
stigma cleverly created by FMC...................
frats,
Rosco
Hi Guys.
It's not necessarily that the EH & HR were more popular, it's that they were more numerous. They were simply in production for a longer period of time.
The EK, EJ & HD were only made for around 12 months, whereas the HR was made for nearly 2 years.
The highest gross monthly sales in Holden's history was in May 1965. But from 1960 to 1967 the average monthly sales didn't vary much from model to model.
Dr Terry
It's not necessarily that the EH & HR were more popular, it's that they were more numerous. They were simply in production for a longer period of time.
The EK, EJ & HD were only made for around 12 months, whereas the HR was made for nearly 2 years.
The highest gross monthly sales in Holden's history was in May 1965. But from 1960 to 1967 the average monthly sales didn't vary much from model to model.
Dr Terry