I have owned an EH Holden since I was 17 years old. My first car was a 1964 EH Holden Standard sedan. I still own this vehicle today, some 10 years later. It is affectionately known as 'Plain Jane' or 'Lady Jane' in our car club and has attended many club events and shows.

About 1 ½ years ago, I set about looking about for an EH Holden Ute. This was originally intended to help me out with my then recently purchased house taking rubbish to the tip was quite a problem. However, tidying her up a bit eventually turned into a major restoration project.

First sold in 1963 by City Motors, Perth the ute started its working life carting toilet cisterns, piping and tools for a Croatian plumber in and around the city area. It was during these early years when the ute was treated with loads of fisholene that protected it from major rust.

Eventually retiring, the Croatian plumber (name unknown) sold the ute to it's second owner in May 1990 with 97000 miles on the clock. Martin Van de Nadort spotted the ute with a for sale sign in it's front windscreen in Victoria Park. The first owner needed the money to buy a new Nissan. Martin needed a ute to help him with his business as well as provide him with reliable everyday transport. A mechanic by trade, Martin owns and runs the Glenforrest service station in Mundaring.

In 1991, Martin fitted out the ute with spotlights, wide wheels and a home made canopy for a trip around Australia.

During this time many adventures took place. One time, Martin was going along a disused track. The going was pretty tough as recent rains had turned the track into mud. Along the way, Martin came across a bogged four-wheel drive. The owner of the four-wheel drive was slightly embarrassed when, not only did Martin make it through the bog, but he did so whilst pulling the four wheel drive using a snatch rope.

In another trip to Broome, Martin hit a kangaroo at 60 miles per hour south of Mt Newman. The kangaroo came off second best as the only damage to the ute, was a damaged front middle bumper section. Try doing that in a Daewoo!!

During these adventures the only breakdown involved an ignition switch that clogged up with dust and a punctured tyre. However, after 110000 original miles, the old 149 was retired to the shed and a reconditioned 173 from a LX Torana was fitted.

I purchased the ute on the 26th March 1999 for the tidy sum of $4000 after spotting it in the Sunday Times. Included were the original spare tyre, tool kit and books. Having done 179000 original miles, the ute was in basically sound condition. Despite fisholene being applied to body and panels, rust had found its way into areas where fisholene wasn't applied. The worst areas affected included the left side of the roof and the right rail of the subframe.

Fixing it up a bit commenced with the complete stripping of the front end with engine, gearbox, subframe, bonnet, doors, guards, tyre door, tailgate and front suspension all being removed from the body shell. I left the differential in place so that I could wheel the shell around like a giant wheelbarrow.

The ute was then trailered to Autoblast in Myaree for plastic media blasting of shell and panels. I then trailered the ute to The Panel Shop in Bibra Lake where Michael Johns completed the panel and paint work.

I was able to source a donor roof section from a farm wreck in Wickipin. This was cleverly cut and welded into place without disturbing structural integrity of the roof on the original gutter welding. I also fitted branch new panels to the ute that included left and right NOS guards, NOS front stone tray, NOS left and right sill panels, tailgate skin and a replacement subframe
The body and remaining panels were then straightened, gapped and massaged back to shape. Finally, the ute was painted in numerous coats of original budgeree green acrylic inside and out.

The original 149 was taken to Southside Engine centre in Myaree where it was fully rebuilt, balanced, honed and converted to unleaded using the original solid steel crank shaft, a very mild towing cam and correct adjustment to the advance on the distributor.

The interior was fitted with new pressed rubber mats from Obsolete Rubber Mats in Melbourne, new original Triton green vinyl for the bench seats from Supertrim in Melbourne. The original hood lining and door trims were retained, being old and fragile, the hood lining had to be carefully put back in place by Myaree Trimmers.
The tonneau cover for the tray was also fitted using original pattern and vinyl from Myaree Trimmers.

All chrome and stainless steel items were either buffed or re-chromed by K&D Chrome in Maddington. Nuts, bolts and hardware items (all 580 of them) were sent to Electroplaters in Welshpool for re-anodising in bright.

In 1963 the ute was fitted with some original NASCO accessories that included side vision mirror, rear venetian blind, door pull to handles weather shield and external sunvisor.

Since then I have added an antiglare rear vision mirror, a gear level lock, plastic seat covers, parcel shelf, aircheif manual radio (complete with original aerial and speaker) door handle scratch plates, bonnet ornament, fender ornaments, number plate frames, locking petrol cap, insect screen, premier wheel trims, white wall tyres and a rare WA Holden dealer Pilbara pack that included heavy duty double aircleaner, 179 radiator and rear helper springs.

I am very pleased and proud of my 1963 EH Holden utility and would like to take this opportunity to thank Ray Westgarth, Phil Elliott, John Brown, Steven Hurley, Michael Johns and the EH Holden Drivers Association of WA for their kind and on going assistance in my ute's restoration and transformation.