An EJ for EJ

Many members will have heard about the EJ0003 Holden.
A group of friends, of the Ted Whitten Foundation, were sitting around discussing fund raising ideas, when Irish panel beater, Declan Mc Kearney, who was about to open his new shop, suggested, he could restore a car and auction it at the 2016 Grand Final or Legends Game.
“I have just the car” he said, “An old ’63 EJ Holden, in run down condition”.
The penny dropped when they realized the significance of the iconic model. An EJ for EJ. Brilliant!
But Ted Junior, being the impatient mover that he is, insisted that the date be brought forward, as 2015 was the 20th Anniversary of his Dad’s passing from Prostate Cancer and the beginning of the Foundation. He wanted to auction the car at the Annual Foundation Grand Final Luncheon in September 2015, which was also Prostate Cancer Awareness month.
The question was posed, “Can we do it in nine weeks?” and the answer was “Yes we can!”
Working night and day, with help from dozens of sponsors, volunteers, media, and the AFL fraternity, the project proceeded through all the usual highs and lows associated with any ground up restoration, with over $90,000 worth of parts donated and various professions donating their rebuild services, until finally the completed car was delivered in the final hours prior to the auction.
Spirited bidding pushed the bidding along and it was pointed out that in place of the usual “Special” script on each front fender, there were
“EJ Whitten” signature badges, 3 D printed out of Titanium and VICROADS had a one off set of red white and blue EJ0003 rego plates . The car was finally knocked down for a record EJ price of $70,000.
A fantastic result!
Unfortunately after a payment of $5000, on the fall of the hammer the buyer rang and advised he was pulling out of the deal. The car was returned to Declan’s workshop and a concerted campaign began, with appearances at various venues and lots of media coverage and I am pleased to say a successful sale was arranged in November 2015. The final result will see the E J Witten Foundation better off to the tune of $50,000 which is still an excellent result.
The new owner has an early sixties caravan, which is undergoing restoration and a total repaint in matching Ivory White and Tully Blue. Keep an eye open for it at some of the forthcoming summer series of classic car events.
PS The entire rebuild was professionally filmed and is available on video as a possible lead into a forthcoming series called Resto My Ride.
Check out www. restomyride.com or www.facebook.com/restomyride.
Bob Clark.