Dan & Amanda's FB Wagon

[danFBwagon]

Hey everyone, I thought it was about time i introduced myself and our newest addition to the driveway... I joined in febuary when we bought the wagon, (Betty as Amanda calls her im not really into giving cars names but am going along with it at the moment) and have found some great tips and inspiration on this site so wanted to share the story of our FB.

It all started when Amanda said she wanted to see how i made "old cars look new again" so i said maybe we should get her a car to restore so the search began, i wasn't sure what we would end up with but was looking at everything, initially i wanted to find an EH wagon as i had one when i was 13 but sold before i got my license and have regretted ever since anyway around the same time as the EH my old man had an FB which i loved but was also sold, so we started focusing on early holden's

After a few let downs the price some people are asking these days is ridiculous.. we came across an FB wagon on ebay that was in our price range and even better was in our state which made it easier to check out properly. the first time i looked at it was a bit of a shock as it was badly damaged on the left side but being a panel beater i always say anything fixable!!! could be my downfall with this one.

So we bit the bullet and decided to buy it and thankfully got it reasonably cheap.
Got it home and gave it a good scrub and preasure cleaned it to see what we had and surprisingly isn't too bad... well depending on what your definition of bad is.

Now it hasn't been registered since 1974 so the first thing i wanted to check was the motor, after putting some oil and water in and a few splashes of petrol into the carby cranked it over and to my surprise it fired up although as too be expected doesnt run for long. So its been sitting in the driveway for 7 months now (i really need a bigger shed) and ive only managed to pull the carby, fuel pump and badly seized water pump off, but i guess every project starts somewhere and untill the weather clears up or i get my bigger shed ill just have to be content with collecting parts, anyway ill leave you with some pics that were taken the day we picked her up and hopefully add to the story as i continue the restoration.

Cheers Dan

phone image so small but you get the idea

this was the tow truck driver almost wiping out the carport



That is a glovebox full of mouse shit



looks worse then it is i promise

[Devilrod]

Welcome Dan looks like fun times ahead!

[ben]

Welcome Dan. Looks like a good project and apart from the obvious its a complete car which is a good head start these days.

[SheilaShoe]

i wish mine had've looked like that when it turned up on the truck!
i can offer you a back door, already colour matched

[Thommo]

Welcome to the forum Dan & Amanda
Oh, and Betty
Another great story on how people get involved.
All the best with the rebuild,
lots of good info and help here on the site.
Is it going to be Black

Cheers
Jeff

[Mick-Hett]

Hey, Looks like a great Wagon! Im a Little jealous. Good luck with it!

[EK JAY]

well done guys
at least its a another one saved hopefully
cant belive that minor dent didnt even break the window in the door

[Mick Jagger]

Welcome, bit of work ahead for you ,shame Betty wasnt an ek
great start to a nice wagon

[danFBwagon]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement, and yeah jay im also surprised the window held up in the impact it looks like it would have been a good one.
its been a while now and im hangin out to get stuck into it. Ive been on a spending spree lately and hopfully this weekend i can start on the drive line side of things with all the new goodies ive bought

Thanks sheila for the offer on the door ive already got new doors for it but i am still chasing up a section of sill and b pillar if anyones got a car there keen to cut up...
thommo id never thought about black but calling her betty makes it an obvious choice now, nah seriously weve already decided on a colour but as it looks to be a while off getting painted i could change my mind.