I Love This Car...

[degruch]

After 4 years trolling this site, I am now officially one of you! Almost 25 years after I first set foot in a Bellett GT, I picked up this little baby today and proceeded to put about 300kms on it.

Loving every second of it! You can't get the off my face.

[claws]

Congrats, looking forward to seeing it on a few cruises when I get my sedan out there.

[degruch]

Thanks mate, I can't wait to get amongst it!

[oz_toffa]

well done Duane

so glad to hear you enjoying your new addition to the collection

you better do at least a 1000km this week just to make it worthwhile

that grin should last a good few months as well


Enjoy


OZ

[PR95]

Good one Duane, congratulations, did you buy the Wasp as well
Still time to bring it to Nationals

Cheer Geoff

[degruch]

Cheers Oz, and thanks for your help with it too, the pics were a great help.

For those who haven't seen it, this is the 'Freegard GT' that's been hiding in storage in the country for quite a few years. It has fared quite well, there's a few rust spots (mainly towers and beaver panel), leaky valve cover and exhaust flange gaskets, the baffle is rattling around in the muffler, the odometer's stuck, the tyres are awful and it's in dire need of a tune, but otherwise functioning fantastically. Functioning heater and interior light was particularly handy this evening when I finally made it home.

Screaming out for a mild lowering and whitewalls (or period alloys), but plan to fix the exhaust as a priority and put some miles on the little thing coming up in the next few months...it needs a good run. Maybe not as far as this year's nationals though, unfortunately.

A fellow forumite scored the Wasp, so the whole collection has been liberated. It was a real chapter in Keith's life closing today, I really appreciate his help getting the car ready for me and his best wishes. I almost got choked up driving the car away!

[mrflibbles]

you got one! nice to see it go to someone local that has been waiting for one for a while! (nice to see both freegaurd cars stay local!)
Congratulations mate the grin will stay with you every time you drive it (or sit in it and make car noises!)

[gt orphanage]

Good one mate i thought you were never going to get your dream car for 1 reason our another but now your commited and it's in the right hands original car staying with someone that will leave it that way enjoy it
I know i cant talk but my gt's did not fall in my hands in that condition a set of period mags will help it needs a little lift

[GTtoo]

hey Gruchie, heard the good news on the grapevine. Now it's official Well done mate, sounds like your enjoying the wheels off it, as you should. Looking forward to another GT on cruises.

B.

[BULLITT]

patience and persistance and you got what you wanted nice one mate ....enjoy it ....davo

[degruch]

...a set of period mags will help it needs a little lift

Either that and some redlines, or whitewalls without hubcaps...60's boy racer style. Definitely could do with a mild dumping too, always thought Bellett's sit too high in the nose.

Thanks for all the help and encouragement all, especially Dave, Davo, Matt and Oz, all of whom have offered advice and assistance over the years...you're a good bunch.

[bembokabellettbloke]

congratulations!!!

[1968GT]

Duanne,

Looks great, keep it original and lookin great!!
Look after those wheel caps, they can not be replaced , take them off while driving along, put em back on when on display!!!
If you hit a decent hole in the road surface they can pop off!!
Well done!!
Dave M.

[redback]

Well done - you certainly waited for the right car Duane - keep us posted with the photos of the clean up and lowering.

Cheers

[Glenn]

what a fantastic outcome, Duane.
I know you will enjoy driving this GT as it looks a great car to have.

[degruch]

Thanks guys, I'm still loving it

Urgent jobs are child seat restraint, exhaust system (from the extractors back) and white walls (anyone know where I can get some 165/80's?). It will look great if I get around to polishing the hubcaps and badges (including a repaint of the black areas), but I kind of like it a bit rough too.

Car covers...anyone got one, know where I can get one? Unfortunately, the car lives in the carport, it's the best I can do for now.

Cheers,
Duane

[PR95]

Check ebay for Kumho white walls,same as I had on Isabell.

[flying]

Federal Tyres still make 165 80'sI got some through Bridgstones tyres at Hillcrest

Cheers

[degruch]

Cheers mate, I gave them a crack and Simon is on the case...but not hopeful in a radial though.

It's a toughy...the only company I can find making 13" skinny whitewall radials in a 165/80 is Maxxis, but not available in Australia. Kumho no longer do white walls. All other brands seem to have gone. In a wide white walls (2"+ from the rim) there are a couple more choices, but the GT isn't a wide white wall kinda car...maybe redlines would be closer. Alternatively, I could have them painted on, but at $80/tyre they'd wanna last a bit longer than the quoted month!

[PR95]

Check ebay for Kumho white walls,same as I had on Isabell.

WHITE WALL TYRES 13 INCH S/T FORD XM XP ESCORT HOLDEN GEMINI TORANA EH HR HD
185/70 13 @ $390 SET, may have to look at Falcon rim. or old school widies.