In addition to rare and exotic cars from around the world, this year’s RACV Motorclassica will feature some home-grown delights, and one that’s sure to appeal to early Holden fans is a restored ‘Cordell’ FJ station wagon.

While sedan and utility versions of the 48-215 (FX) and FJ Holdens were part of the lineup from the start, GM-H never marketed a station wagon until 1957, midway through the FE Holden’s lifespan.  However, a specialist motor body builder, Stanley Cordell of Hampton, VIC,  is known to have produced up to six FJ station wagons. At a price of approximately 40% over that of the FJ Standard sedan, they were a rarity – and a luxury - in their day, and even moreso today.

When passionate Holden enthusiasts, Mick and Greg Hodgett, made a bid to purchase one of the Cordell FJ station wagons some years ago, they knew how rare they were and what they were likely to be dealing with. The FJ wagon in question had been dying a slow death from neglect for years, and would represent a mammoth task to bring back to the condition in which it left S.H. Cordell’s works over fifty years ago.

Had the Hodgett brothers not agreed to the owner’s extreme price and purchased it when they did, it’s likely the wagon, which was a hopeless wreck even when they got it, would have been irrepairable within a few years.
After purchasing the car, the Hodgetts got the best in the business, Phil Munday of KARS, to undertake a total nut and bolt restoration.

The finished Cordell wagon, one of only three known examples still in existence, is arguably the best of the bunch and a testimony to Munday’s skills and knowledge when it comes to early Holdens, as well as the dedication of the Hodgett borthers to keep this rare and important piece of Australian motoring history alive.

This year, the restored Cordell FJ Holden wagon will stand alongside other classics from Australia and around the world at RACV Motorclassica, including another Holden rarity in the form of the 1970 Torana GTRX concept.

Australia’s premier International Concours d’Elegance, RACV Motorclassica will be held at the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne on 26th -28th October 2012.

This year’s event will feature special tributes to Sir Jack Brabham, the 100th Anniversary of the Victorian Motor Show and the 60th Anniversary of Lotus. The climax of the 2012 event will be the Collector Car Auction on Sunday 28th.

For more information, visit: www.motorclassica.com.au