This FC Holden is everything a barn-find should be

Barn-finds are often urban myth, fanciful stories told by those with adventurous minds. On very rare occasions those myths are proven to be true, sometimes sitting right under our noses. How many times have you wondered what is behind that shed door?

The suburban barn-find – many car enthusiasts have dreamt of finding an old classic Survivor lying in wait – a gem in a shed – locked away where nobody can find them. Then, a chance conversation or a throwaway line will catch the attention of a Car Hunter. Every now and then you’ve just got to be in the right place, at the right time, and asking the right questions.

Behind the closed doors of a fairly regular looking corrugated iron shed is what can only be described as an epic barn-find – an original 1958 Holden FC Special.

The FC Holden was a very significant chapter in the history pages for Holden. Their 500,000th vehicle built was an FC, at a time where they dominated the market. A staggering fact is that in 1958, Holden had 50% of the market share – a very different number than what they currently hold today. There was also a strong demand for exports, FC Holden’s were supplied to more than 15 countries, including South Africa, Hong Kong, Fiji, Thailand and Singapore.

Clearly influenced by other General Motors models sold overseas, the FC had loads of chrome – particularly on the ‘special’ model. Lavish side panels and fins adorned the car, the two-tone paintwork which accented the curves and edges of the body and differentiated them from the regular model. The FC had many admirers, which is a testament to how popular this car has become with car enthusiasts across the country.

The suburban jungle is littered with garages and sheds, many appearing to be inoperative long term. Often the shed matches the style and age of the houses they accompany, leading inquisitive passers-by to pose the question – what’s in the shed?

The discovery of this FC barn-find stemmed from a chance conversation with Marcus Whelan. Marcus is a car enthusiast who has grown up around performance cars. “We’ve had a HX sedan in the family for a long time – it is a bit of a street machine” he explains. “I just mentioned that my grandmother had an old car in a shed, so we went to take a look”.

This FC Holden Special Survivor was bought as a gift for Edwin and Ethel Phillips in 1959. The Phillips family had helped support Edwin’s sister Violet through some tough times, and to show her thanks once Violet got back on her feet she bought them this car. It was an ex-demo car from P S Carey motors in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria and had very few miles on it when it was purchased. “I have some great memories of Gramps and Nini’s car” says Marcus. “I loved going to the tip with Gramps, I’d help him load up and then he’d let us sit in the trailer all the way there!”

For many years the trusty FC Special served as the family transport for the Phillips family, the daily duties to and from the shops as well as towing the caravan or trailer. “As a kid it was always a novelty to be in the car with Gramps. We didn’t wear seatbelts in the back – there wasn’t any fitted!” recalls Marcus, who rode in the car often as a child. 

Edwin didn’t drive the car much in the 1980s, and sadly passed away in 1988. Ethel continued paying the registration on the car until 1993 – just in case someone needed to use the car. “The funny thing is, Nini has never had a driver’s license. I’m not even sure she’s ever driven the car!”

This special FC has been parked for more than 25 years – the flat tyres and spider webs a testament to the sands of time that have blown by. Remarkably, the car is still in fairly good condition – the earthern floor shed has protected the car from the elements over the years. “There are no plans for the car at this stage – it will continue to sit safely in Nini’s shed out of harms way until the family can work out the best way to appreciate the car” states Marcus.

A true one-owner barn-find that has sat quietly in suburbia covered up behind its corrugated shield. Each and every day pedestrians walk by, occasionally glancing at the shed wondering what is behind that shed door. And there this Survivor will continue to sit, waiting for the right time and right way to be revived by its family owners. 

Source: Survivor Car Australia

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