Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 (edited) I have bought a Rolls Royce Armored car replica that was used in the movie Empire of the Sun & Michael Collins. Aside from the woodwork I need to ID the engine and try to ID the chassis and axles - they are possibly all different. Log book no help as it says Rolls Royce and it's on a 'Q' plate. It is not a Rolls Royce as the donor vehicle was an old 'H'suffix Bedford van - where the engine/box most likely came from. Anyone recognise the engine. It is a 6 cylinder petrol? Thanks Edited October 10, 2018 by Rania photo change & typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty2 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo.T Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 How many cylinders ?? Looks like 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Herbert Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 I bet that gets some look on the road ! Looks to be a very professional build, much better than most film vehicles. I would have thought that a H registration Bedford van would be a CF and they had independent front suspension and I don't think that six cylinder engines were offered but it is possible that ambulances or police vans were offered with sixes. It should be possible to find the engine number and from that the original application. Similarly there may be a chassis number stamped into the chassis (possibly the front third of the outer face of the LH chassis rail) which would tell you what that came from. I would suspect a 7.5 ton TK light truck. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 (edited) It's a bit of a bodge I think. I suspect the 'H' reg was used to get the 'Q' plate as the Bedford makers plate is screwed to a wooden bulkhead with 4 different screws and the Bedford chassis number is probably welded in. The chassis is ancient - 1920's in my view as no front brakes were ever fitted.. I'll upload another photo showing more Edited October 10, 2018 by Rania Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogmaner Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 H reg would fit with the Bedford J type 6cylinder petrol . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 The engine is a Bedford 214 3.5 litre. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 17 minutes ago, mogmaner said: H reg would fit with the Bedford J type 6cylinder petrol . Thanks - Interesting - I thought front wheel hubs looked like Bedford J hubs but the steering is different and no front brakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 22 minutes ago, Richard Farrant said: The engine is a Bedford 214 3.5 litre. Thanks Richard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 Anyone want to swap/trade a reproduction non firing metal .50 MG with belt an original pintle mount for a vickers MG that might fit the turret. If this post needs to be elsewhere tell me and I'll move it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 1 hour ago, Richard Farrant said: The engine is a Bedford 214 3.5 litre. Thanks Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 Here is the front axle and wheel. Not many leafs in the springs for a commercial vehicle. I'm looking for a spare front wheel too if anyone can help or suggest a make/model that may suit. Dimensions in image below. Does anyone recognise the axle or steering box? Could any front brakes be fitted? Thanks Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 (edited) 5 hours ago, Tomo.T said: How many cylinders ?? Looks like 4. I thought so too when I got her. 6 plugs so 4 pots must share inner 2 inlets. Edited October 10, 2018 by Rania 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroman Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Nice beast, front wheels look like Michelins that were used on the Citroen U23 trucks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Herbert Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 That front axle was clearly fitted with brakes but they have been unbolted from the stub axle, the flange remains. David 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogmaner Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Rims look like 8 stud commercials with adapter plate to 6 stud Bedford, think Ford D series or earlier 6 stud may fit . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 Thanks Guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 28 minutes ago, David Herbert said: That front axle was clearly fitted with brakes but they have been unbolted from the stub axle, the flange remains. David Well spotted David. It is dreadful to stop without front brakes. Letting off the throttle has more effect than braking. The rear axle seems to be original and has these rims fitted. Could they be Bedford rims as studs same as front ones? Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 (edited) These look like the back wheels. Could this be the chassis too? Edited October 10, 2018 by Rania Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Who cares? Getting running for 11/11/2018 That isjust gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runflat Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 (edited) The wheels look like those found on a Dennis trailer pump? Edited October 10, 2018 by Runflat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 6 hours ago, Citroman said: Nice beast, front wheels look like Michelins that were used on the Citroen U23 trucks. Thanks - some wheels are U23 I think as the 2 holes have been welded closed in one. Might need balancing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Herbert Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 I think that the plain (front) wheels look better than the rears. If the two rows of wheel studs offend you why not cut out the centres and weld in a new centre with just the six stud holes that you need. you can fill the two holes in the RH front wheel at the same time. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rania Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 (edited) 32 minutes ago, David Herbert said: I think that the plain (front) wheels look better than the rears. If the two rows of wheel studs offend you why not cut out the centres and weld in a new centre with just the six stud holes that you need. you can fill the two holes in the RH front wheel at the same time. David The Citreon U23 wheels are the best bet all round if they fit. I haven't enough for front/rear spares and I too like the plain front wheels. I need to see what can be done about front brakes as she isn't really safe for the road with none. That will affect the hub and maybe the wheels too. I'll try a front/.rear wheel swap to see what problems arise Cheers Don Edited October 10, 2018 by Rania Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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