Bodger Baz

piece of cake, done it plenty of times. But it does depend on wether you get the jobsworth in your local DVLA office (i know who to avoid in the Portsmouth Branch!) My approach is this 1, Get the MVT to verify it (or IMPS etc) 2, MOT it 3, Insure it 4, fill in form V55/5 5, Take it all to DVLA with your £55 i think it is now I tell them its a barn find that has been restored, that was originally imported by the British under the lend-lease agreement during WW2 and was released from the British army in the 60's. That way all your paperwork should match up i.e numbers etc and there is no import stuff to worry about. You then get a date for inspection so they can check the numbers and the vehicle is roughly what they think it should be. Job done. Unless you get the jobsworth, then they may ask for a letter from HM custom to sy they have no interest in the vehicle for tax reasons. the problem you have then is Customs in Dover are not interested in writing such a letter as they say you dont need it!!! and so it goes round. this has only happened to me once and when i returned to DVLA they processed it straight away!!!! MAD!!! Worked for me many times on many WW2 vehicles.

I was told last year that you cannot do this anymore, by the DSA examiner that was booked for my test. he said that you in the past you could do this but not anymore. Baz

Yep, i'd go with that, chevrolet 216cui engine as fitted to the HUW etc, or possibly the 235cui? just rebuilt an engine for one and that looks the same. we had to braze the manifolds up due to corrosion. are they up for grabs? Baz

Very nice. ebay it, will fetch a few bob.

That usually happens due to the fuel filter bowl gasket has perished and is not sealing properly, although it will not leak petrol! had the some problem on a few jeeps and a rebuild kit in the fuel filter has solved it straight away.

does this happen when hot or cold? or both? once it has started if you turn it off will it start straight away? when its running does it run ok?

outstanding, anyone who restores a GPA is a hero in my book.

hi mate just seen this thread, did you sell it?

seems a bit extreme! saggy wings add character! and the rust keeps the weight down!!

Go the pistons out to find the culprit behind the oiled cylinder. No.3 piston rings were seized solid into there grooves, this is obviously the cylinder it seized on during shipping. I think this could be the first time the engine has been apart, al parts are still standard and are FORD USA even the bearings! other than the rings being seized on 3 the rest of the motors seems to be in very good condition. I have ordered a new set of rings from the state along with big ends and gaskets etc. also have, Fitted new alternator (ooooh i can hear the grumbles already!, not original bla bla!) fitted electric fuel pump, yes not original either! sent carb of to be rebuilt started to make new wiring loom oredred all new gauges and switches. removed radiator for flushing. Baz

Try here http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=rolls+royce+armoured+car Baz

I have a friend in Belgium who has been tinkering with a ferret for a few months now, stuck a Duetz engine to start with! there seems to be a problem with the gear change pedal thats lost him for the minute. he has explained the problem in broken english over the phone to see if i can get any advice. symptoms are (as best as i could understand) engine not running the pedal moves and from what he said there in no pressure to push down. when he starts the engine the pedal seems to lift up to the a bit, but is then impossible to push down. obviously he cant engage any gears with being able to push the pedal. any ideas? Baz

Got my one home yesterday, came with a few boxes of bits as well including a early rear mudgaurd, a few carbs and a couple of magneto/dynamos. took her for a sneaky ride up the road and very impressed.

The Pathfinder group will be jumping on many of the drop zones, cant remember exactly how many but i know its lots!! i am curently with them doing my Dutch B wing course at Tuege not far from Arnhem(A night fighter airfield during the war).

got the old girl running a few days back, fired straight up and drove around the yard. No.3 cylinder needs some attention as it oils up the plug within a few minutes so maybe a broken ring or piston, apparently it had seized during shippng. shouldn't be anything to bad as it runs so well. will whip the head off once back from Holland. Baz

Yep used to use my Series 3 Landy for work, bit of a squeeze getting the toolbox in as it had a full roll cage!! Still use my jeep in the warmer months, beats sitting in a stuffy car. Even use my Indian on the really warm days! but we dont get too many of them. in fact i might use it today, possibly for the last time :-( Baz

So far so good, a couple of evenings on the puter and have found many parts i needed. Carb rebuilt kit NOS Headlight wiring loom and switch NOS drivers seat transmission cover hydrovac NOS Air filter NOS also found suppliers for engine, gearbox and brake parts. Seems parts for running gear are fairly common in the states and readily available. Made some good connections in the states already, GTB owners seem very helpful so far.

I will have one next week coming from Belgium. Baz

it runs and drives but is a bit smokey and is oiling up 1 plug so possibly a broken ring, brakes needs some looking at but have a NOS master cylinder and hydrovac so just the wheels to look at. only time will tell on the rest of it! no doubt there will be some nice surprises in the next month or so! Baz

Thanks Tony, i have sent you a PM with some questions, i think the trickiest prob is the lack of transmission cover, but the hunt has started and you never know what may turn up. Baz

MV Restorations

got my new toy! have started a thread under mv restorations.

Well the Indian has gone onto a new home and i got a new toy! An unrestored Ford GTB, it has a coat of paint on the front end though! i know very little about these but have drooled over T Corbins lovely example. no doubt i will learn fast. I think this one was originally a bomb tractor variant originally but it will now be a cargo as it has a perfect rear body that only needs minor tarting up. more to follow. Baz

Its finished, MOT'd, registered and gone!!! but got a GTB now!

Not going this year :-( went last year and loved it, its choas Baz