Random # 307: Modded FJ Holden (Up-dated 22/07/20)

-

Whether you're a fan of unmolested, totally original classic cars or, like me, prefer modified versions, I reckon it'd be hard to not admire this ripper FJ.  


Opinions can be very, very divided when it comes to what should - or, more commonly - shouldn't be done to a classic car but this example seems to me to be the perfect balance between the two schools.


Its body has been finished in lustrous teal but otherwise appears to be totally stock.


The only other ostensible mods are a set of Hotwires, although closer inspection also reveals a set of front disc brakes.


A sneaky peek inside revealed a nice three-spoke steering wheel - a Momo Corse, possibly - a floor-mounted 4-speed shifter, sumptuous-looking bench seats that look like they've been retrimmed in cream leather, along with matching door cards, and seatbelts all-round.



It seems likely that whatever donk it's running has been upgraded and, I suspect, the suspension's been tweaked, too.


To my mind - and with respect to those who favour totally unmodified cars - whoever it was that put today's example together has done a great job preserving its classic lines whilst upgrading its performance, safety and comfort in a way that enhances its day-to-day drivability.


And I reckon that any efforts to keep cars of such rare beauty on the road for all to admire can't possibly be a bad thing.






Update as of Wednesday the 22nd of July, 2020:  The car's owner, Steve, contacted me and outlined a few technical details that will almost certainly interest readers.

Steve says:  It's currently running a GTR XU1 '74 spec Bathurst 186, an M21 4-speed 'box and a 308 diff.  It also has a highly modified HR front end with rack and pinion steering, etc, and a custom chassis kit.  The original seats have been fully custom reupholstered by my son.  Everything was done by myself in my shed.

A bit of googling on my behalf reveals that the '74 XU1 was fitted with the triple Stromberg version of the 202 motor and that the M21 gearbox, as also fitted to Steve's FJ, was standard on XU1s of that period (https://hotrod.gregwapling.com/torana/torana-gtr-xu1.html#:~:text=(1972%20%2D%201974)%20Bathurst%20version&text=Bore%20%26%20Stroke%3A%203.625%22%20(,3.25%22%20(82.5mm).&text=Power%20output%3A%20190bhp%20(141.7kW)%20%40%205600rpm.&text=Torque%3A%20200lb%2Fft%20(270Nm)%20%40%204000rpm).  I'm sure you Holden people knew this already but I thought it was pretty cool to learn that Steve's car's running such high-end components and that, when you consider the rack and pinion steering and other mods, it's arguably better specced and probably as quick as any mid-70s Torana.  



U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

All iPhone images.

Comments

  1. Stephen gilbert20 July 2020 at 17:06

    Hi Alastair. This is my Fj. Thank you for the write up. It's currently running a gtr XU1 '74 spec Bathurst 186. M21 4 speed. 308 diff. Highly modified HR front end with rack and pinion steering etc. Custom chassis kit. Original seats have been fully custom reupholstered by my son .Everything was done by myself in my shed. She's about 4 cars made into one and has been painted twice in 34 years .I'm happy to send more pictures or answer questions. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alastair Watson20 July 2020 at 20:02

    G’day, Stephen, and thanks very much for contacting me. I thought there might be even more to your car but its list of mods far exceeds what I’d imagined! The rack and pinion steering is particularly impressive and I love the upholstery, too. You and your son are both very clever. I really meant what I said about getting the balance between originality and mods right; it’s a really great car and must be a pleasure to drive! I’ll update the post with the info you provided and, if you have any shots showing its engine or of the car as a work in progress, I’d love to include them. Cheers, Alastair.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown21 July 2020 at 15:15

    Nice car,what's revs in top at 100kph,I have an eh which is still a 3speed but revving hard at 90kph thinking of putting a2.78 in it???

    ReplyDelete
  4. Alastair Watson22 July 2020 at 12:08

    It’s not my car, mate, so I can’t really help you. I do know, however, that it’s got an M21 four speed ‘box and a 308 diff but how that compares to yours I don’t know. Sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  5. scopabclinta25 April 2022 at 07:10

    scopabclinta Gary High https://wakelet.com/wake/PAkE3XX1sWuk3owYiP5uq
    carsingwhisfi

    ReplyDelete
  6. 0arobdiude200027 August 2022 at 00:32

    0arobdiude2000 Megan Davis Winamp Pro
    Movavi Video Editor
    Avast Internet Security
    giosmaretun

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

-
Image
EJ or the later EH? Several years ago, I posed the question:  Can somebody please explain the difference between an EJ and an EH Holden ute or van?  The response at the time wasn't overwhelming, so I did a bit of Googling and ferreting through my photos and came up with my own rough guide to EJ and EH identification.  Sedans and wagons are easy to tell apart ;  the EH's vertical rectangular tail lights are a dead give-away.  However, the workhorse versions of both models share the rear-end treatment of the earlier EJ, making it harder to identify one from the other.    No super obvious hints here. Or here ...  . It turns out that the main clues are in the placement of the front   H O L D E N   lettering and GMH lion emblems, the style of the radiator grille and the width of the vents in front of the windscreen, with all EJs - sedans, wagons, utes and vans - having one combination and the EH line-up having their own . So what exactly are those diffe
Read more

An Electric Fiat X1/9

-
Image
For several years, there have been whispers that an electric X had been constructed in Tasmania's south.  However, no one seemed to know much about the car and how it had been built. That's not to say that it was some kind of skunkworks project; it seems to have simply been an under-the-radar affair, quietly put together by a bloke in his shed.  It was actually so U-T-R that I'd seen it at least twice without me realising that it'd been electrified. The car's since been sold but this is what I could glean from its current owner:  - It's a 1980 model and, as such, was delivered to Australia as a "Series 1.5," meaning that it originally had the Series 1's 1300 cc / four-speed in a Series 2 body with impact-absorbing bumpers and the higher engine compartment lid, as well as the latter's interior; - The motor is a 120 volt DC unit from US company Advanced Motors and Drives, rated at 10 HP / 7.355 kW ( http://evalbum.com/advdc , accessed 03 JUN 24);
Read more

Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

-
Image
  Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart.  It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard.  Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags.  And a hubcap went missing.  And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it.  And a mudguard got dented.  And rust set in.   I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla.  Somebody please save it before it's too late.  Nanna needs you to do it. Hello, reader! I've noticed that this seems to be a particularly popular post.  Something to do with Google's algorithms, I guess ... .  But it's not my best piece!  Sure, it's ok, but there are so, so many more interesting classic, sports and performance cars on this site - as well as car shows and motorsports events - for you t
Read more