Eddy's 2DOOR64 EH Holden

 The Magazine Feature Story #10

 https://classiccarsworldwide.com.au 

FROM UNFINISHED, SITTING ROTTING AND NEEDING HELP TO AWESOME!

EDDY RAMSBOTTOM TALKS ABOUT HIS 12 YEARS LABOUR OF LOVE TO BRING HIS 1964 2 DOOR EH HOLDEN BACK TO LIFE – AND KEEP CRUIZIN’! 

Adelaide based 65 years old Eddy Ramsbottom (married with two daughters, two grandchildren and one on the way) has been interested in cars since he was 11 years old. In fact, it seems to be in his blood. Eddy has worked in the car spare parts industry for many years going back to the 70’s when he worked in a press shop in Woodville, South Australia. “I’ve been doing automobile restorations for 40 years and I have always been interested in classic cars, nothing else” he says. Eddy got his first car, a Holden 1956 FC Wagon when he was only 15 years old. His current daily drive is a VX Holden Wagon

“I met Glen Higgenson, Mr. Excited, on Facebook a year or two ago and although I am not involved in any specific projects with him we have become very good Facebook friends.”

 

1964 Monza Blue EH 2 Door Holden – The restoration – Bringing it back to life

“When I came across the EH Holden in 2003 it was unfinished, sitting and rotting and really needing help” says Eddy. “It was actually found by a mate of mine in someones backyard shed and I started to help him restore it and I ended up with it. I bought it mainly as a roller and then spent the next 12 years bringing it to life. It was difficult to know where to start as I did not know what state the build was in and I had no identification modifications.”

“I did all the restoration myself except for the interior” says Eddy. “It was not restored at home but in a borrowed shed at a wrecking yard where I found parts for it. I am pleased to say that I did not experience any problems with the restoration. It just took a long time and a lot of money.”

One of the most interesting features of the restoration is that the EH Holden is now a two door model. When the car was first built Holden did not make a two-door version so that in itself is a rather unique feature. “I did not actually do the two-door conversion myself” says Eddy. “It was done in the 90’s but never finished. I did the restoration from the unfinished rolling shell.”

The EH Holden has a few interesting specifications. It has a three-litre blue WB Holden engine with a 173 high compression head which has been ported. It has larger valves twin carbies from HR Holden X2 extractors feeding a two-inch exhaust. The cam is a Crow 36556 hot cam, the same as the mildest of XU1 cams. It has a Holden M20 four speed gearbox and the diff is a 3.36 light duty Salisbury. The brakes have Commodore rotors and calipers on all four wheels, The wheels are genuine VL Walkinshaws 16x7’s. The car also has chrome air filters and side plates on the engine and rad support cover.

“It’s awesome to drive” say Eddy.

Car Clubs & Shows

Eddy is a member of the FX to HZ Club, the Cruizers Classic Car Club and Coffee ‘n Chrome Mile End. “I attend the EJ EH Holden Nats which is now the Classic Holden Nationals each year. It is held interstate and I drive the EH there and back, no trailer sailer. Also, each month I attend several local coffee and car meets but the Nationals are my favourite,”

Eddy explains that he doesn’t buy many car magazines these days as he feels they have lost their classic appeal and are more into drag and late models.

He believes the Australian Classic Car scene is in good shape but it would be a good idea to try and get rid of some of the tossers who spoil it for others doing skids etc at car meets. His aims and objectives are quite simply for himself and his family to stay healthy and keep cruizin’!