Parrot

www.gippslandtimes.com.au Travel down memory lane in an 1955 FJ Holden at the GVC

IT’S fair to say James Monahu has a bit of experience with cars. He has, after all, been honing his skills for 55 years. He began working in the motoring industry when he was 15, built his first car when he was 16, and his passion for Holden cars is as old as he is. His earliest memories are of riding around in his Dad’s 1953 FX Holden, a car that rolled off the factory floor the same year he was born. Vehicle enthusiasts can meet one of James’ great loves at Maffra’s Gippsland Vehicle Collection – a stylish 1955 FJ Holden in mint condition. And while many of the vehicles accompanying this car in the current Rods and Custom exhibition are highly modified, this one is in almost original condition. But it hasn’t always been that way. When James bought the car in 2001 it was an ex-drag car. “It was clear that someone had taken great pride in looking after this car,” James said. “The body was immaculate and it clearly hadn’t been left out in the weather, but it had been fairly well butchered to turn it into a drag car. “It came from the Cobram area, so there was no rust, but it was really just a shell. “When I heard about it, it was owned by a guy who had had it in his shed for 15 years. “I went and had a look at it and I paid what I thought was an awful lot for it then. “But by today’s standards I practically got it for nothing.” At the time, James was working with the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce and had access to every old motor garage in Gippsland. “I purchased a lot of new old stock from Neerim South, Warragul, Yarram and Fish Creek and I spent five years scouring swap meets to collect all the parts I needed,” he said. “There are no new components other than the carpet inside. “The interior trim is original, I’ve had the leather

Vehicle enthusiasts have the chance to see this stylish 1955 FJ Holden in mint condition, at Maffra’s Gippsland Vehicle Collection.

repaired and re-stained the leather on the seats to match the original colour. “I modernised the suspension so it would handle well, keep up with the new cars on the road and stop when it needed to stop. “I wanted it to handle properly. “It’s been lowered for looks and handling, it has a Volvo rear end, and complete Volvo brake system. “When I got this car I vowed I would make it go, and I would make it stop.” The car’s engine was built by Brian Sampson, who ran Motor Improvements in Melbourne and was also a racing driver who co-drove with Peter Brock for the 1975 Bathurst 1000 victory. “He was an agent for Speco, and with his driving career, he built his engines to go. “This one was apparently built, started once and then sat idle until I heard about it.” Frustratingly, once James had built, registered and driven his car a few months, another driver ran into him and it had to be completely pulled apart again. This is where Chris Henry used his vast skills to bring the body back to what it once was. And in order to make a positive out of a negative, James used the opportunity to have everything

A brighter Christmas for foster kids

A Better Life for Foster Kids founder Heather Baird and Gippsland South MLA Danny O’Brien encourage Christmas giving to foster kids.

GIPPSLAND South MLA Danny O’Brien is encouraging Gippslanders to get behind a worthy cause and support local charity A Better Life for Foster Kids, in its mission to provide Christmas gifts for all children in foster or kinship care. Mr O’Brien said just like last year, 2021 had continued to be a difficult year for many, but for children in out-of-home care, Christmas could be a particularly tough time. “Christmas is less than 10 weeks away,” Mr O’Brien said. “While most of us are following restriction updates with keen interest and celebrating the return of home visits, the reality is that there are children in our community who will still be unable to be with their family because of circumstances outside their control. “I am joining a number of businesses across Gippsland in hosting a giving tree, which will serve as a drop-off point for people to donate gifts to these children. “Donating a gift is a small way we can help brighten their day and keep the magic of Christmas alive. “Some suggestions for gifts include gift cards, toys and beach towels. “Unfortunately, books are discouraged due to high postage costs. “Gifts should be under $40 in value, or $30 for gift cards.” Mr O’Brien said through her charity, A Better Life for Foster Kids, Heather Baird has been coordinating gifts for hundreds of families with children in out-of-home care across Gippsland. “It’s a huge effort that relies on the generosity of our wonderful community and I’m proud to be able to serve as a drop-off point this year,” he said. Mr O’Brien’s office, at 54B Cunninghame St, Sale, is open for donations from 9am to 4.30pm weekdays. Gifts can also be posted direct to the charity at PO Box 1138 Sale VIC 3850. Business owners interested in hosting a giving tree should visit www.

abetterlifeforfosterkids.org.au to register. detailed and painted. Many of the parts in the car have been made by James, simply because they were needed but unavailable. “And I owe a great deal of gratitude to Darren Franks, who took all the parts when I stripped the car down again, painted them and brought them back to me completed so I could assemble the car – again.” James said his passion really was embedded in him, and this impressive car is only one of many he has built. “It’s a sickness I’m afraid,” he said, with a chuckle. “I’d rather polish it than drive it.” Then he headed back out to the shed to work on his current project.

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