1956 FJ HOLDEN UTE

Time is a curious thing. It never stops, we can’t outrun it, and it has the remarkable effect of changing objects that were once considered ‘run-of-the-mill’ and ordinary into something rather special.

Take the FJ model Holden, for example.

Launched in 1953, it was the replacement for the FX – the first, all-Australian car – and it shared not only the FX’s basic shape but other features too, including the powertrain and a reputation for ruggedness, low maintenance costs and good fuel economy.

Add these elements to a feeling of post-WWII recovery and optimism that swept the nation and the FJ became extremely popular – a symbol of change. And with a model range that included a Standard Sedan, a Business Sedan, the ‘Special’, a Panel Van and a Utility, just about every requirement was covered and the FJ became a ubiquitous sight on Australian roads. It was the first car many families owned and nearly 170,000 were sold during the model’s three-year lifespan.

A basic, affordable, ordinary vehicle then? Hardly. In the 60 years since it was introduced, Time has turned the FJ into a true classic – an Australian original that transcends its humble background. It is part of Australia’s cultural history, as synonymous with the fifties in this country as rock ‘n’ roll, ten pound Poms, and the advent of television.

MTA Institute of Technology trainer Jeff Mann owns a slice of that history with this absolutely stunning FJ.

A project that Jeff worked on for many years with his late father, the 1956 FJ has been in the family since 1971.

“Dad bought it off a local bloke because it was going to cost him more to fix it than it was worth,” says Jeff. “My father bought it from him for $120 plus rego and used it for carting gravel and stone about when he was building the family house. That’s what it was used for.”

The FJ filled the role of family ‘carthorse’ until 1994 when Jeff’s father decided time had come to take a closer look at the venerable old Ute and a restoration might be in order.

By this time, Jeff was a qualified mechanic and his involvement in the evolution of the FJ started at that time.

“In 1994, dad had it repainted but it was still basically stock with the factory six-cylinder grey motor,” says Jeff. “In 1996, he decided to restore it further, so we changed the motor to a 186 Red motor with a 350 Holley carburettor, a disc brake front end and an HR rear end. We improved the power to around 200hp.

“But dad wasn’t happy with that,” adds Jeff. “So, in 2001, we pulled it apart again and now it has a 3.8-litre Supercharged V6 Commodore motor. It still has the HR front end but has Commodore outriggers and differential in the rear. We also moved the shift from the floor back to the column, built a bigger fuel tank and put on 16-inch wheels.

“I was working away a lot during that build so we took it to Pat Gardiner’s at Moree. They did the front end, changed the steering over from a steering box to a steering rack, and did the V6 and auto conversion. I finished off all the bits and pieces –  the wiring, rebuilding the alternator and so on.”

For the paint work, Jeff and his dad hit a stroke of luck when searching for that beautiful mint green colour.

“The paint work is the original colour,” says Jeff.

“We pulled the glove box out one day and it had paintwork, still in pristine condition, underneath it. We took a sample of that and matched it.”

The hard work that father and son put into the car, and the care with which Jeff treats it (he doesn’t, for example, take it out in the rain or when it’s windy) certainly paid off with the FJ racking up a number of trophy wins at car meets and competitions.

“I take it to meeting of the FX/FJ Club at Rocklea once a month,” says Jeff. “And I’ll take it out once a week around the block to give it a run, but I’ll have to spend a bit of time and money on it before I get back into the shows. We picked up nine or ten trophies early on but I haven’t done so many shows recently and it is a tough category – one show I went to recently had 52 FJs!”

Jeff’s plans for the FJ are exciting with a massive increase in power high on the agenda.

“My plan is to modify the engine,” he says. “It’s got around 300hp at the wheels now and I think, if I do things right, I should be able to get 500-600hp!”

Whatever Jeff does, one thing can be certain – the FJ will not be leaving the family’s possession.

Like many classic car owners, the reason for owning the car is due to a strong emotional bond. And for Jeff, that bond is stronger than most.

“Dad passed away three years ago,” he explains. “We used to spend a lot of time working on the FJ and I have a lot of memories of us working on it together.

“Some people have photos, jewellery or other trinkets that they have to remember someone – to me it is the car. I’d never sell it. To me, because of the bond with my father, it is priceless.”