1960 HOLDEN FB CUSTOM VAN
HIGHLIGHTS: – One off custom FB Panel Van – Custom roof chop and body work – Custom paint by world-famous Gene Winfield – 138ci Holden Grey 6 cyl engine – Three-speed column shift manual transmission – Air bag suspension – 13” Hustler wheels with white walls – Street Machine featured car with documented build
This 1960 Holden FB Custom panel van has been completely transformed into a one-off custom cruiser by some of the most famous names in the business. The car was built by Mario Colalillo, one of Australia’s most famous custom car builders, the same gent who built Wild Cad, the custom 59 Caddy coupe that was featured in our June 2022 auction. World famous custom car builder and custom painter, Gene Winfield was flown out to Australia in 2010 to paint Mario’s Wild Cad and expressed interest to Mario in chopping some Aussie metal. Mario had an old FB ute he had been storing and the roof he had cut from an FB van and intended to use together to offered that to Gene to work his magic on.
A render of the car was created by designer Ryan Carter and published in Street Machine April 2010 ‘Expression session’. The actual roof graft and chop happened at one of Gene’s metalworking classes, hosted by TJ of Camden County Customs in Sydney’s west. The day was again covered by Street Machine magazine in the 2010 SM Hot Rod Annual, as Little Mick, TJ, Justin Hills and many other Aussie customisers pitched in on the haircut. After the metal workshop, the final welding on the chop was completed by Trudy Camilleri before handing it over to Cooper Customs, who finished the body work and shot the car in high-fill. Air bag suspension was added by the guys at Twisted Metal to get the stance right and Mario sourced a set of 13in Hustler wheels to complete the look.
The car was debuted on the Street Machine stand at Motor Ex in 2010. Gene Winfield now being a good friend of Mario and his wife Cat, was keen to get his hands back on the FB and give it one of his signature paint jobs. PPG was flying him out to Australia for their Masters of Customs event so this was the perfect opportunity for them to reunite and paint the FB. The event was again covered by Street Machine in their October 2011 issue. The paint itself is a iconic Gene Blue fade with highlights and heavy fleck. The bonnet was fluted and a visor added to the chopped roofline. The chrome on the outside of the car was refinished or replaced. Inside the car received a simple white tuck and roll style interior with the dash painted to match the outside and bearing Gene’s signature.
The driveline was kept really original still running a 138ci Holden Grey engine paired to a three-speed column shift manual transmission and a banjo differential. The finished car was featured in the January 2012 issue of Street Machine magazine. The car isn’t a perfect show car, it was built the old school way and, on a budget, to be used as a super cool driver car for Mario’s wife Cat. It is however, now a piece of Aussie custom history, having been worked on by some of the best customisers in Australia, painted by one of the world’s most famous custom car painters and documented by Australia’s number one modified car magazine throughout the process.
PLEASE CALL LOCKY MCCANN WITH SALES ENQUIRIES ON 0403 935 488
IMPORTANT: Vehicle information is provided to us by the consignee. We do everything we can to qualify the best cars in the Australian market to represent on consignment for private sellers however, they are still old cars and we can’t capture everything in the photos, we don’t drive them any significant distance and can’t know everything about them. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied themselves as to the condition and value and to purchase based upon that judgement solely. Vehicles may have been sitting for some time and it is suggested that to protect your investment, you allow to change fuel, oil, fluids, filters and inspect brakes prior to use. All vehicles are sold under standard auction conditions, consignment and auction vehicles are sold as is, without registration unless otherwise stated and there is no cooling off period or warranty expressed, written or implied. All sales are final. Independent inspections are welcome and strongly encouraged to help with your decision making.
Located at 2 Palings Court, Nerang on the Gold Coast. Inspections by appointment during auction and public openings/viewing as advertised.
