fbekholden.com

G'day,

I'm new to the resto game. I recently picked up this 62 EK Ute from a good friend. It had been in their family since new. It was a daily driver about 2 years ago but has been neglected in a paddock and has a fair bit of the red cancer. I have a good mechanical knowledge but my experience with panels/rust/paint is zero. So I am all ears for any advice. I'm intending to remove all the running gear and then remove as much rust as I can. The floor panel and supports will need to be replaced. So if anyone knows of a good panel specialist on the Gold Coast, please let me know.

Cheers,

Steve

Should see if you can find Malcolm, he is one to definitely recommend as well Paul at Smooth Customs.
Check out there work on the forum.

Welcome to the forum Steve
We would love to see & hear more about your ute.

Cheers
Jeff

Hi Fellas,

Been off line for a while, but I have been busy with the ute.


My plan is to restore to original as much as possible but I am considering front disk brakes. Does anyone have any advice on that?

Much appreciated.

Steve

Welcome to the forum mate
I reckon if you can't find the guidance you need on this forum you won't find it anywhere, alot of knowledge here mate.
Good luck with the resto, and looking forward to plenty of pics
Probably the best advice I can give you is when have an arvo free grab a coupla coldies, or put the kettle on, get out in the shed and spend a coupla hours on here You'll find just about anything you need to know. If you can't find what your after, don't be scared to ask. The only stupid questions are the ones we don't ask!!
Cheers Muza

Thanks Muza. This forum has been so valuable to date. Thanks mate. Coldies cracked by the way.

yer welcome mate... If u r looking to do original, dont do front disc, unless u are going to work the motor??? I find my standard drums are fine. All I can suggest is take your time, do things properly, & things wont come back to bit u on the arss.

I was in the same boat, thought I could learn about the panel repairs n do it all myself. But I was lucky, i found a great guy through this forum (DAVE - AKA bootlegger) & Dave convinced me that I was biting off more than i could chew.. he was right. I'm sure I would of lost patience & ended up doing my dough & no result.

So again, its totally a personal thing, but sometimes if u can get help, as I did (mind u Dave did an awsum job) so I was lucky , I got best of both world, a seasoned professional & I got to help most of the way, so I learned heaps, but the pressure was off coz I had Dave n I trusted him. The ute speaks for it self.

but best of luck mate, hope my little 2ç helps?
ciao
Sam

Thanks Sam. Excellent advice. The ute heads off to a local restorer at the end of this week and he comes recommended by the local RACQ mech who also has his Mustang being done. He's doing the right thing by me on price so I can't complain. I feel much more at ease now I have an expert doing the body work.

Thanks for the advice on brakes. Will stick with the drums as I wont be modifying the motor either.

Really enjoying the journey though.

Thanks again for the advice. Will stay in touch.

Cheers and beers,

Steve

looks great,would love a yoot one day
and a 120y coupe
ive $*#@ this forum

Thanks Mick. Hoping to turn this one into a family heirloom. Have 2 teenage sons who cant keep their eyes off it!

Cheers,

Steve

Steve Pata wrote:Thanks Mick. Hoping to turn this one into a family heirloom. Have 2 teenage sons who cant keep their eyes off it!

Cheers,

Steve

Time to get the boys a project
I have a 16 year old son that is to interested in girls, footy and his mates to bother helping me
Was getting my son a HR for his first car, something to play with while he has his L's...............now he wants a Commodore..........cause they're COOLER
WTF has gotten into these kids AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep em interested while they are mate
Cheers Muza

Steve Pata wrote:Thanks Sam. Excellent advice. The ute heads off to a local restorer at the end of this week and he comes recommended by the local RACQ mech who also has his Mustang being done. He's doing the right thing by me on price so I can't complain. I feel much more at ease now I have an expert doing the body work.

Thanks for the advice on brakes. Will stick with the drums as I wont be modifying the motor either.

Really enjoying the journey though.

Thanks again for the advice. Will stay in touch.

Cheers and beers,

Steve

no probs steve. this forum is a great source of info & great people to share it with.

Looks like a real good solid starting point Steve. Keep the pics coming as you go along and Welcome!

The Ute, now known as 'Tilly' by the kids, is getting a cancer treatment. New floors etc. I have taken the head off the 138 and I dare say the valves need replacing. Am I better off sending the head away for a rebuild? Valves and all. I can't seem to find valve sets anywhere on line. That said, I may not be looking in the right places.

Any advice is once again much appreciated.

Cheers and beers.

Steve

Steve Pata wrote:Thanks Sam. Excellent advice. The ute heads off to a local restorer at the end of this week and he comes recommended by the local RACQ mech who also has his Mustang being done. He's doing the right thing by me on price so I can't complain. I feel much more at ease now I have an expert doing the body work.

Thanks for the advice on brakes. Will stick with the drums as I wont be modifying the motor either.

Really enjoying the journey though.

Thanks again for the advice. Will stay in touch.

Cheers and beers,

Steve

Steve, i am curious as to your comment "He's doing the right thing by me on price" what actually is he doing and for what sort of money?