By Marc McGowan
PAKENHAM mechanic Andrew Brown has a nofuss attitude towards cars, but one set of wheels has rapidly taken his fancy.
Mr Brown had been car hunting with his son, David, in 2001, with a view towards a fatherson project.
“David had mentioned to me that some of his friends’ dads had hot rods and they weren’t even mechanics,” he said.
On one particular day, the pair was checking out a Holden FX (48215). Once the owner brought it out of the garage, the deal was as good as done.
“A car’s a car, but it just had so much character,” Mr Brown said.
After beginning as the fatherson project they had envisioned, Mr Brown has taken over the work on the vintage model and it is now his everyday drive.
“I did very little to it for two years after buying it, but in 2003 I opened Andrew’s Auto’s and I needed a car to get to and from work,” he said.
“I had it registered and got the roadworthy and have been using it ever since.”
The initial investment of $4500 has grown by a further $1500, but he believes there is still a lot of work to do.
“On the outside it looks great. The paint is 20 years old, but all I’ve done is give it a good polish and it looks great. I’ve also put new wheels on, but the inside is very rugged,” Mr Brown said.
Since purchasing the Holden FX (48215) he has learnt a great deal about its history and his passion for it has continued to grow.
The vehicle was launched in November 1948 and was the first model under the banner of Holden to be made in Australia.
Mr Brown’s friends are distinctly aware of his newfound obsession with the machine and are constantly buying him presents in relation to its history.
His memorabilia includes a magazine of Holden’s history, which features the Holden FX (48215) on its cover, several mini car models and, most notable of all, a tin advertisement of the car from its early days.
“They didn’t advertise on posters back in those days, everything was done on tin. If I see little things I collect them.”
It is an interesting development for someone who, despite his occupation, previously had no preference carwise.
“What started out as a normal interest has become a passion for the FX and the development of Holden,” Mr Brown said.