Page 16 - Beep Beep February 2024

SURF SPECIAL
Words and Photos: Iain Curry Australian Car Mechanic Magazine
Few cars looks as quintessentially Australian as an EH Holden wagon. Warren Evans’ two-tone beauty has lived a double life as builder’s van and surf seeker.
If you’re out early enough at Noosa’s river mouth or First Point, you’ll likely spot this striking 1964 EH Holden wagon with surf board on its roof. Views here are practically unspoilt by developments, so with the EH in sight and sun beating down on rolling waves, you could be transported to those carefree Sixties surf days before tourists knew about the place.
History’s very important to this
wagon’s owner, 77 year-old Warren
Evans. A 40-year Noosa local, he
bought the EH from a
representative of its original owner
about 14 years ago. The well-used
EH came complete with its original bill of sale, service booklet and tool kit. Warren also tracked down an EJ and EH shop manual off eBay; a chunky booklet that’s invaluable for maintaining this 60 year-old classic.
“Older cars are easy to work on,” Warren explained. “You open the bonnet and can see the grass underneath. You haven’t got this plethora of electronics and mechanicals everywhere.”
Popping the hood proves his point. Holden’s famed “Red” motor made its debut in these EHs, and this – the smallest 149cu in (2.4-litre) inline six-cylinder – takes up just a small portion of the generous engine bay. Back in 1963, when the EH was introduced, these 149 and larger 179 red motors were big leaps over the outgoing “Grey” Holden engines.
The 149 offered 75kW and the 179 86kW – tame by today’s standards, but increases of 33 per cent and 53 per cent over those old greys. The new engines featured goodies such as a seven-bearing crankshaft, an external oil pump and filter for easier servicing, hydraulic valve lifters and higher compression. It was smoother, stronger
and more economical, and Warren says for daily driving, despite his 149 being the smaller motor, “it goes okay.” Not quick, but why rush when you’re on the coast road anyway?
Warren’s carried out the bulk of the EH’s engine, transmission and interior work himself. He grew up around Essendon, Victoria, where his mechanically minded father taught him basic mechanics as a kid. “I’ve kept it going ever since,” he said. “I started off hotting up Victa lawnmowers, then went to racing motorbikes, before getting into cars like hotting up FJ Holdens.”
When he bought the EH wagon it was in good but tired condition. The previous owner had already had the body repainted its original Barwon Blue / Fowlers Ivory two-tone, but had run out of money to do the interior. Even so, the life the vehicle had led meant some aspects still appeared factory new. It was originally bought new in June 1964 at Eagers Toowoomba, by a builder from the nearby town of Pittsworth. Holden called this wagon the Special Station Sedan, and it cost £1199, rego was £16 and delivery another £10.
“I reckon the builder rolled the rear seats forward and would have put a tray across the back for his tools,” said Warren. “The rear seat and door cards are original, and look virtually unused.” The front seats and door cards were re-worked by a contact who bought all the original colour dyes from GM Holden. These – and the rears – still burst with that 1960s blue colour.
You could buy these EHs in three grades: Standard, Special and Premier. The ‘Special’ badge on this car’s front fender gives away its level, although Warren said “there’s nothing I can find that’s special about it, except that I love it. It hasn’t got anything other than an air vent; there’s no heater or anything.”
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