55 years ago

[admin]

If anyone ever doubts the advances in motoring, then do what I just did.
Biante is the proud owner of 48-215 Holden, chassis 1002 (the second one as they started at 1000), body 316.
This is reported as the oldest surviving driveble, unrestored Holden in the world.
It has now got just 57012 miles on the clock and apart from a set of tyres and a battery, has not been touched.
There is a day on tomorrow to celebrate 50 years of the FJ and we are taking old48 down to Yarloop for a run. If you are in the area, we start at the Professionals office on Albany Hwy in Armadale (WA) at 8-30am Sunday.
I have just driven it home from our little museum at the office and what an experience.
No traficators, no brake lights (almost NO brakes) no seat belts, no radio, no aircon, no power steering, virtually no anything.
BUT..what a sweet motor and gearbox. That old 3 on the tree shift is one of the best still. The 'clunk' on closing the doors is a sound you dont get anymore except maybe in a $200K exotic.
And running along at 55MPH its wonderful to be a part of an era when the country was getting motorised seriously for the first time.
How times have changed!!

[perry]

How much was that baby worth Trevor, if you dont mind me asking.

[admin]

To my mind, taking into account what it is and represents, not much.

I won't put a Dollar cost on it, as it will never get sold as long as I am around!!

[Esses]

My 70yo Dad used to own a near-new FJ as a young man. He kicks himself regularly for ever selling it.

[perry]

Originally posted by admin
To my mind, taking into account what it is and represents, not much.

I won't put a Dollar cost on it, as it will never get sold as long as I am around!!


$100,000, according to todays article in the West Australian. :)

[chups]

yes i saw that too. a guy in mt gambier (my home town :) ) is selling it for $100,000 but will only sell it to someone that will care for it and not modify it. it has been in his family since it was first bought and came off the production line in the first week of production or something if i remember correctly.

[perry]

Trevor, like you said in a previous post, you used to drive a ferrari, now you only drive a holden. Well, i reckon you made the right decision to stick with the old classics rather than some tarted up go kart. Good on you!

PS, I have some storage space here if you ever run out (hint hint)

[Grubby]

Chups

I live in Mt Gambier - who has that car.

Grubby

[perry]

Umm, Trevor now has the car, thats what the post is all about :)

[Grubby]

Sorry, I thought there was a second one around the place.

[admin]

No I do not have that car...mine is unrestored.
That one is a one owner but has been restored in several areas but with original paint .

[chups]

Grubby, it is owned by Jeff Brown. but i heard scotty has quite a nice collection of cars. (allan scott, owner of K&S freighters, Scotts transport, ascot and whatever else)

for anyone interested, here is the article.

An original holden 48-215, forerunner to the famous FJ, as new and running like a watch, is about to be sold for the first time in its 55 years of constant love and careful polishing.
The asking price is about $100,000 - about 70 times ist original price of $1466.
But it will go only a collector who will appreciate it, says owner Jeff Brown, former holden dealer in Casterton, vic now retired with the car in Mt Gambier.
The old holden came out of the factory at fishermens bend in the first week of december 1948, a few days after then prime minister Ben Chifley proudly launched australias first automotive production like.
"its been in our family since it was built," Mr brown said. "My grandfather, Jim Coxon, a general motors dealer in casterton, was allocated the car in his first shipment of holdens in december 1948. He gave it to his niece, who ran it until 1956 when it came back to the dealership."
Still in its original cargo grey paint work, the car was returned to showroom condition and used as a display in parades and at moden launches until tha family sold the dealership in 1985. in 55 years it has covered only 54,000 miles (87,000km)
Mr Brown decided to part with his car mainly because no one else in his family was interested.
"Its a motoring treasure," he said."ill let it go to someone who will appreciate it."
He has heard from some collectors and "a few lunatics who want to put a V8 engine in it and make it a hot rod funny car".
"they just wont get it," he said "i wont be selling it to anyone like that - no way" -the age

published in 'the west australian' monday 17 feb 2003 (pg 6)

[Grubby]

I have been told and read that Allan Scott's collection of 1:1 cars is very impressive.

I have not seen them and opertunities are extremly rare.

I might have to see if I can get a look at Jeff Browns car.

Grubby