Ian and Tracey Rousell of Forbes have previously featured in CWCC Members Cars with their yellow XW GT replica.
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They have only been members of the Parkes based Central West Car Club since 2017 but have owned an array of pretty cool cars in the past from hot rods to street machines.
Their latest car is this 1955 FJ utility which is certainly much more than meets the eye! Ian and Tracey bought it 12 months ago in Queanbeyan.
They'd previously had another FJ ute which featured late model running gear, custom rims and leather interior so the story behind this one is probably no surprise.
"We bought it from an older fella who had built the FJ on VR Commodore running gear," Ian said.
"There's a fuel injected Holden V6 Ecotech engine and TH700 auto for starters, plus Commodore steering column and power steering rack."
Ian went on to tell me his updated FJ has an HR Holden front end (still modern for an FJ) with Commodore disc brakes all round and a shortened diff.
The FJ body sits on a VN Commodore floor pan to incorporate the gearbox crossmember and seat belt mounts, and of course there's no point in modernising the drive train and not gaining some creature comforts so there's air conditioning, heater, demister and electric wipers all courtesy of the Commodore of course.
"We really didn't need to change anything more on the FJ," Ian said.
"It was all complete and done well, but I wanted to brighten it up so I've fitted new chrome work all round."
There's a good chance you'll see the FJ on the October long weekend by the lake in Forbes.
The FJ was initially rolling on 15" Commodore chaser rims with FJ hubcaps but Ian and Tracey wanted something more to stand out.
"With the Commodore running gear, old school mags were out so we chose a set of modern alloys" said Ian.
With the later model rims it probably draws people in for a closer inspection and hopefully when they look closely they'll realise why!
Ian and Tracey have had the FJ to a few shows and events locally.
As well as being members of the CWCC, they are both on the committee for the Forbes Motorshow so there's a good chance you'll see their FJ on the October long weekend by the lake in Forbes or at the CWCC Annual Charity Show and Shine on Saturday, October 19 at Pioneer Oval in Parkes.
For more about the CWCC you can look it up on Facebook or find more details at www.centralwestcarclub.com.
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