FJ45 Arkana?
- Thread starter Trollhole
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Yep ,what do you want to know? Built them a few miles away from where I live.
Hey Rosco, I was born in Perth!
Too bad my Yank father pulled me back to the states.
Hope to make the trip home someday.
- Thread starter
- #4
Just wanted to know the story behind them.
I would love to know the history of them as well,as I have a beautiful 1978troopie camper here in the states,,
Thanks
Thanks
What I do know about them was they had a factory in Landsdale north of Perth. I believe they begun building small bus bodies onto 45 series for the tourist industry.
As they got bigger they won many govt and mining contracts,such as the dual cab 45 of which they modified hundreds. They were mostly yellow as that was a part of the safety requirements.
As well as well as dual cabs and troopies they also built ambulance bodies for 75 series and paddy wagons for the police.
Most of their products had the trademark corrugation in the metal down the side.
Their downfall came about 97 when they took on about 9 govt contracts ,an investigation later revealed they were only able to carry out a maximum of 3 competently.
It is believed they hoped to starve their opposition of work
I think there was a changing of the guard in the family business prior to this and whoever made the decisions was not as cautious as the previous decision maker.
The govt contracts had liquidated damages clauses written into the contracts ,and as one contract was late it ate into the next contracts time frame.
In the end contracts were reaching their expiry date before the commencement of the work,the bills piled up with no income and the banks moved in.
Because there was so much govt money tied up they ordered an inquiry which was published in the papers
Ive always admired their 45 troopies because qa 3rd or 4th door can be added,they are the full width of the fender and the flat square shape works better than Toyota troopy.
Another advantage is they rust less than the factory item and it is more easily repaired. The back door could be easily replaced with a number of types.
Here is some others I have kept pics of .The white 45 I nearly bought
The dual cab is owned by one of the original family members,Anno is his name,you can see it on the plate.
The 3rd door I mentioned
As they got bigger they won many govt and mining contracts,such as the dual cab 45 of which they modified hundreds. They were mostly yellow as that was a part of the safety requirements.
As well as well as dual cabs and troopies they also built ambulance bodies for 75 series and paddy wagons for the police.
Most of their products had the trademark corrugation in the metal down the side.
Their downfall came about 97 when they took on about 9 govt contracts ,an investigation later revealed they were only able to carry out a maximum of 3 competently.
It is believed they hoped to starve their opposition of work
I think there was a changing of the guard in the family business prior to this and whoever made the decisions was not as cautious as the previous decision maker.
The govt contracts had liquidated damages clauses written into the contracts ,and as one contract was late it ate into the next contracts time frame.
In the end contracts were reaching their expiry date before the commencement of the work,the bills piled up with no income and the banks moved in.
Because there was so much govt money tied up they ordered an inquiry which was published in the papers
Ive always admired their 45 troopies because qa 3rd or 4th door can be added,they are the full width of the fender and the flat square shape works better than Toyota troopy.
Another advantage is they rust less than the factory item and it is more easily repaired. The back door could be easily replaced with a number of types.
Here is some others I have kept pics of .The white 45 I nearly bought
The dual cab is owned by one of the original family members,Anno is his name,you can see it on the plate.
The 3rd door I mentioned
This is what the remaining family members are doing now. These trays for the police are moved onto the next new vehicle as the previous one is retired and are mainly for policing in remote towns and Aboriginal camps.
The tray has a place for a car fridge and water tank and the closet is for clean uniforms
The tray has a place for a car fridge and water tank and the closet is for clean uniforms
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
Arkana Motor Body Builders were in Perth but closed down about 10 years ago after they went bankrupt as said by roscoFJ73.
The members of the family still doing conversions on a smaller scale in the Wangara area...is that correct roscoFJ73?
what was their full name?
was it:
1) Arkana Motor Body Builders
2) Arkana Bus & Body Conversions
3) Arkana Conversions
old address:
Attwell Street Landsdale, W.A. 6065
old Tele:
08 9302 1233
what is the address and name of the current operation?
The members of the family still doing conversions on a smaller scale in the Wangara area...is that correct roscoFJ73?
what was their full name?
was it:
1) Arkana Motor Body Builders
2) Arkana Bus & Body Conversions
3) Arkana Conversions
old address:
Attwell Street Landsdale, W.A. 6065
old Tele:
08 9302 1233
what is the address and name of the current operation?
did you build the arkana bodies? i have 1976 fj40 body that paople say is arkana. tell me more please?
I have had the good fortune to meet the Hawke Brothers who own Hawke Fibreglass in Harborne St Osborne Park. They moulded just about all the Toyota arkana fibreglass roofs for all the vehicles produced. They do not have the moulds or the paper technical drawings but the Arakana body builders was taken over by someone else who may have them... Also I found out the names of Arkana body builders duo who set it up and ran it. Their names were Bill Bergsma and Neil Martin. They were both coach or body builders, but I believe they are both deceased now. The only surviving member who built these vehicles and was part of the company Arkana body Builders is a Rob Bergsma the brother of Bill Bergsma who runs Robs trailer business in Wangara. I have rung and spoken with him a couple of times and I hope to show him my restored fj45 Arkana.
I must post a photo of my fj45 as it has a special pop top roof that makes it a camper. I believe from showing and speaking to the Hawke fibreglass roof brothers that about 40 years ago they didn't do this roof and it was the Bill and Rob Bergsma and Neil Martin themselves that moulded and created the special roof that made it a camper. Hawke brothers believe from memory they did it for themselves and used it as their own camper vehicle. I think I spoke to Rob Bergsma about this but cant remember now. I will re-ring him. It nice to know I have a rare and hand built car from Balcatta just a 2 kilometres from where I live now.
just bumping this thread. i too have found an arkana pop top camper. its a very nice thing with loads of potential. will post it up in another thread.
still bumping this thread along. would love you to come back 1976 fj40 Arkana! anyone else have a pop top camper? be nice to see some more pics to compare with mine; or any arkana pics. also interested in the mustard orange paint jobs favoured by arkana. mine has only been sprayed externally (is grey inside) and i wonder how this compares with others?
reckon thats probably inevitable ozcruiser. it is a nice thing mine; thinking the pics prob dont do its originality justice. splendid project for the here and now that i dont have time (or to be honest the inclination for). just trying to learn a little about these unique old things and test the market i suppose. a couple coins could go a long way in my budget regards playing with my earlies. but yea stash in the shed for a while; im happy with that result too.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
Here are some pics of my buddies Arkana (stainless 40/45)
1975 Arkana that has been butchered by a previous owner;
I had this 1984 3 door brought over from Perth through AUStoUSA, has the third door, raised roof, 2nd row seat, and a bunch of other stuff. I just added the wheels and SS M16 tires, I am planning on rebuilding her for an Expedition-bug out vehicle, good to see others out there. Cheers, Geoff.
