Perhaps I should call this a time warp back to 1955? Bruce Gunter discovered this phenomenal FG Foden last year. Before you think "nice restoration", read on as Bruce takes up the story.
Dad and I visited Rob Woolley in early September and learnt a bit about the family's trucks and the history of the company. Rob's Grandfather started off carting fuel for COR and we were able to go over some great pre-war photos taken by him of various fuel tankers. Moving into coal, he started with a Commer Superpoise (at least he had some taste) and then bought this Foden in 1955. The quick success of the coal business led to the purchase of another FG Foden followed by a stunningly finished Foden prime mover, possibly an S36, along with a Thames Trader and a couple of Seddons. After 22 years the business got out of coal and began to cart spring water for Orchy. A succession of Volvos followed, mostly F86s and G88s, and everything was painted the same with sign writing etc and maintained in immaculate condition.
The Foden was stored under a tarp in Lithgow before they moved to Sydney and has been shedded ever since. She was repainted once in the late '60s by Rob’s Dad and that is how you see her. She's an absolute time warp – Rob's grandfather's white cotton gloves are still hanging on the back wall of the cab and his boots are still under the driver’s seat. He has all of the books and paperwork including the cheque butt and original receipt from the 100 pound deposit! She has a Gardner and a 12 speed but hasn’t been run for about 15 years and was last registered in 1974. The colours are FJ Special two-tone green which his Grandfather saw on a new FJ Holden in a dealership. That colour is still used by Rob as seen on one of his Volvo tankers in the photo below.
With regard to the Foden, Rob has a new bout of enthusiasm and before too long will have the truck re-wired, fired up and on club rego. Once he learns how to change gears, he’ll be out holding up the traffic!
If you would like to see more photos of the Foden and the Woolley fleet and find out more about the company, Bruce is writing a detailed history for a forthcoming issue of Truckin' Life.
Above: this paint work is at least 39 years old. Amazing.
Above: one of the very, very rare times you'll see a modern truck on this blog!
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