What a butey!

By Marc McGowan
GEMBROOK is rapidly becoming the home of the Holden FJ ute and George Failla is leading the charge.
He has several friends in the area with FJ utes and his 1955 model has graced his garage since the beginning of the millennium.
“I bought it for $5000 and – I really need to be careful when I say this because my wife may be reading this – I’ve probably spent $20,000 plus on it since,” Mr Failla, 50, said.
The massive expenditure he has pumped into his beloved automobile has given it a distinctly modern feel, while retaining its classic form.
“I love it. I could drive it every day. These modern cars have nothing,” Mr Failla said.
“It’s modified and she’s got a bit of grunt and plenty of power.”
Mr Failla is on the committee of the Early Model Holden Club in Waverley and loves the mateship that comes with membership.
“In our club, you get to meet all walks of life and ranges of ages. We even have one bloke, Jimmy, who’s 72 or 73,” Mr Failla said.
“Some of these guys have been involved for 20odd years and have plenty of stories and yarns to tell.”
It is this element of the hobby that keeps him as enthused as anything else, as it allows him to converse with people that share a common interest and develop lifelong bonds.
“You get the opportunity to make some new friends that, hopefully, you’ll keep for the rest of your life,” Mr Failla said.
“I work most weekends, but it’s nice when we do have our club runs or get togethers with a few friends.”
As with any pursuit that requires plenty of blood, sweat and tears, he also enjoys the pride that comes with others inspecting the car’s handiwork.
“It’s always great when people come up and have a look and comment on it. It just means that all the hardearned money and effort hasn’t gone astray,” Mr Failla said.