My '55 FJ Holden Special

Classic Holden, Car # 4

The FJ was built at the Acacia Ridge plant Brisbane in September 1955 and sold to a family in Toowoomba by the local Holden dealership, Eagers Retail. For most of its life it served the O'Dempsey family until sold in 1987 with 37000 miles on the clock to a collector who restored it and showed it over many years at shows on the East Coast where it won many stock awards. Colours are Forester Green over Glenn Green with Floral/Bantry green buttoned Elascofab vinyl trim. Original plastic floor mat in the front and genuine carpet in the rear. It still sports the original Goodyear Air ride tyres, whitewall inserts and original Queensland 'black & white' plates (first small style 'N' plates which replaced the old 'Q' ones which had been used up to 1954).

In its life it stared in the movie 'The Delinquents', Kylie Minogue's first movie (1989), used as a advertising prop for Paul's icecream and was also exhibited at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast on many occasions. In 1991 it escaped a domestic violence vendetta when an irrate spouse and friends shot up the hubbies house and car collection with a .22 rifle. Other cars in his collection, including an original FJ ute, were riddled with holes but this sedan was away at a local garage having some work done on it! What a lucky break! With 54000 miles on the clock it passed into my hands during 2002 and is now in the process of final restoration, hopefully to concours or close to it condition. I have just completed the engine bay detailing and will replace some window rubbers etc. this year.

The car was delivered to its Mr. O'Dempsey with many NASCO accessories - unique perspex sunvisor, AC bypass oil filter, heavy duty oil bath air cleaner, NASCO driver's door rearvision mirror, unusual and rare chrome horn ring, quarterlight window locks, 4 genuine door pull to handles, whitewall tyres and chrome wheel trim rings, blue plastic anti-glare rearvision mask, GMH Airchief 6 valve radio and high gain antenna, petrol tank locking cap, fantail stainless exhaust extension and rear window venetian blind. I have since sourced genuine NASCO accessories such as - handrail or taxi rail, steering lock, numberplate frames, luggage compartment rubber mat, fender marker, chrome dash rack, ventees for front quarterlights, and rare NASCO suction cup thermometer and dashboard jewel which I have mounted on the speaker grill.

The car was complete with original bottle jack and handle together with complete toolkit. I have since found a genuine fabric tool roll which came out with earlier cars and a complete set of FJ tools. I am always on the hunt for other genuine period accessories.