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My 1960 FB Panel Van

The FB boasts almost 20cm of SUV-like ground clearance, just perfect for that old country dirt road.

Some might nominate the 1968 HK Monaro. Others the EH. But the one that's climbing in value is the FB Panel van.

Built from January 1960 through to April 1961, GMH made just over 8300 of these in a total FB production run of 175,000. Most panel vans went to businesses, tradies, government fleets and farms. Few survived their hard commercial life, so the ones that remain are most sought after.

Graham Price found his after a long, long search, and only then through word of mouth. He is no stranger to rare Holdens, owning a pristine Torana SLR 5000 and a very smart Torana SS Hatchback. But it is the FB Van that attracts the most attention. "Everyone loves this car" he says. "It does not matter what the age group, everyone who sees it makes a comment".

Graham originally bought the car just to cruise around in, but after the amount of attention it gained, he decided it would be a good mobile advertisement for his business. And he's not looked back. "I've generated so much additional business from people seeing the panel van", he says. "I take it to car shows and most times get two or three orders while I'm there".

When they were released in 1960, the FBs made quite an impact. And they still do. With their wrap around windscreens, juttying rear tail fins, flashy chrome and gaudy two tone paint work, Americana had well and truly arrived in Australia. Essentially they are a three quarter version of the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, which is why the FBs and their successor, the EK, have such a popular following.

The interiors reflected the exteriors styling. The big black steering wheel was deeply dished and had the Southern Cross "floating" in a ruby red emblem at the centre. The speedometer had an orange curved indicator arm instead of a needle pointer. All very space age and ultra modern for the times.

The motor of Graham's car idles quietly, reminding me that these old Holden 2.3 litres, six cylinder engines are so under stressed and so smooth when tuned. Graham drives the car everywhere. The FB boasts almost 20cm of SUV-like ground clearance, just perfect for that old country dirt road.

If you want to relive the glory days of Holden, a time when even small dealers sold an average of a car a day. then the FB EK Holden Nationals are being held at Wangaratta over the Queen's Birthday Long Weekend 8th and 9th June 2013.