History
I purchased the van off Mark A near Canberra NSW for $400 back in May 2004. It was a complete car, running, but was unregistered.
Previously it was owned by Damo in Penrith. Known as Roy's Bowl O Rama Special
Modifications
Body
The car had the usual rust in the floor and some in the sills, so I decided to pull the car down to fix the rust. The floor rust was cut out and repaired and the tunnel was replaced in anticipation of a later model 6-cylinder red motor and auto transmission being fitted.
We also discovered rust in the subframe, so it was decided to remove the subframe and get it sand blasted to see just how bad it was. It was bad. I decided to replace the subframe assembly. The replacement sub-frame was purchased from Albion Park Rail and it was a solid clean straight example. Some minor panel work was done to allow the fitment of a larger radiator and it was fitted to the car.
A Castlemaine Rod Shop chassis kit was installed to stiffen and strengthen the car. The main reason this was done was to properly support the transmission, rather than just hanging it from the floor. The front bolts through floor strengthening members and the rear is welded to the rear spring hanger mount. It was welded by a friend of mine who is a ticketed welder and teaches metal trades and fitting and machining at CIT in Canberra
Engine and Drivetrain
The engine and gearbox was purchased from Queanbeyan NSW. It is a 202-cubic inch 6-cylinder Red Motor and Trimatic 3 speed auto transmission. Both have been reconditioned with the addition of a small torquey cam fitted for towing/economy. All ancillary items including Carburettor, Distributor, Alternator, and Starter are standard Holden. A Commodore accelerator pedal was installed and operates the throttle via cable. Standard Holden Cabled installed.
Tail-shaft was shortened to fit and rebuilt with new uni-joints and balanced.
Differential and Housing came from a HR Holden. Diff centre was rebuilt with 3.36 Ratio and all bearings seals and brakes replaced with new parts. All parts standard HR Disc Brake specification. Standard FC Holden Park Brake Cable and system installed.
Rear springs are standard and have been re-set 2 inches lower than stock. All new spring pads and shackle bushes have been installed along with new Monroe Gas Shock Absorbers.
Suspension and Steering
Front end is from a HR Holden modified to fit FC Holden by Castlemaine Rod Shop and Alien Retro Columns. Castlemaine Rod Shop drop spindles (2 inch) are fitted along with Standard Height heavy duty King Springs and gas shock absorbers. HR Holden standard disc brakes are installed with rebuilt callipers, new brake hoses, new disc rotors and all new bearings and seals. A VB Commodore Rack (modified and rebuilt has been fitted to the crossmember by Alien Retro Columns. Tied Rod End adapters mate the HR Tie Rod Ends to the rack. A Dual Diaphragm brake booster with Commodore Dual Circuit Master cylinder was installed via a custom bracket and mated to the original FC Holden Brake Pedal. The steering column is custom made by Alien Retro Columns and is a collapsible. It is connected to the rack via a 3/4-inch stainless D-shaft and three Borgeson steering joints (one an anti-vibration unit). The shifter is a Lokar Automatic Shifter with Digital gear position indictor and inbuilt neutral safety switch.
Wheels and Tyres
Standard tyres are 6.40-13 on 13-inch rims. Dimensions are Section Width 6.60 Inches (168 mm) x 25.10 Inches Diameter (638mm)
Allowable Width Stock dimension PLUS 30% (168 x .3 += 218mm)
Allowable Diameter Stock Dimension Plus or Minus 15mm 638 + 15mm = 653mm
Wheels are HT Holden steel and measure 14 x 5 inch on the Front and 14 x 6 inch on the Rear
Front tyres are 195/75R14 and Rear tyres are 205/70R14
Dimensions: Front Width 195mm Diameter 648mm
Rear Width 205mm Diameter 643mm
Exhaust
Standard 202 manifold, 2-inch exhaust system
Wipers
Electric Wiper Conversion from CAE. 2 speed with Park and windscreen washers
Demister
A Hot rod style small heater mounted behind speaker grill in dash. Ducts to windscreen demister outlets and vents into foot wells. Switch to turn on fan is under dash under ignition switch (toggle switch)
Glass
All new door glass to Australian Standard – marked on glass. New laminated front screen. Stock rear screen.
Other
Dual Batteries mounted under rear floor behind seat. Battery isolation switch installed just behind seat on driver’s side. Batteries are managed by a Projecta brand Intelli-charge DC/Solar Batter Charger System. Each battery is housed in its own battery box, which has been bolted to the floor using Nutsert rivet nuts and stainless bolts. Both batteries are vented through the floor. Car is fitted with a complete new wiring harness with the fuse block position high up under the dash on the right-hand side (drivers side)
