Dads HJ 3 door ex Ambo project.

[razsandman]

My Dads HJ ambo. 253 auto. bench seat with dickie seat by 3rd door.

This came from Kangaroo Island SA. my Dad grew up over there and remembers when this Van arrived on the island cos it was in the local news paper. He managed to save it from the scrappers. Body is almost finished but the projects has been put on hold for a while. I always find it interesting to look at the hideous was they cut and modified them! and the way it has wagon style windows cut in to the side through the body lines... what where they thinking!!

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[Robbo]

Amazing how the modifications were carried out. Good on your Dad for saving it.

[razsandman]

The worst rust was all around where the door was cut in. was a lot of work to fix.

[JDT]

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Mine started life in South Australia as well. It's my everyday driver now.

[Hxambo]

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Hi guys,

I just came across this thread, I recently bought the van in the photo and would be keen to see any more photos of your ex-ambo's. Mine is from SA, with a 253 4-speed manual. I had no idea they existed until a few weeks ago, I'm still unsure on whether I like them as much as my old windowless HJ, but the idea of having the third door behind the passenger side definately got me interested.

[JDT]

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I'm almost finished. LS1, Turbo 400 column auto and 9" diff. 3.90 LSD.
Please ignore the zip ties on the top radiator hose. This was when I was test fitting it.

[Innuendo]

That should make the old girl get up and boogie! Where did you steal the engine? Conversion kit?

[JDT]

That should make the old girl get up and boogie! Where did you steal the engine? Conversion kit?

I used a Holley sump, Tuff mounts, Standard TH400 cross member and I was lucky enough to find an original TH400 column auto linkage setup. Had to modify the linkage that pivots off the chassis to accommodate the extractors.
Got me beat why any one would use anything but the standard crossmember. Everything lines up perfectly.

[pj350]

Although these days ..they look like a lot of alcohol was drank while in the planing and construction of the 70s holden ambos ...
For the time they were a work of art for the job.

[Sandaro]

I'm curious whether they modified the chassis where the 3rd door went? If left the chassis wouldn't it partly block the door? Also was the cargo floor modified? would love some inside pics of these areas if you've got some