Corbs

Finally got more paint on the quad! A more even coat. The gearbox and transfer boxes are ready to go back in now.

Cheeky question but don't suppose you fancy another? It has the original engine still fitted.

The paint job wasn't finished in any case (we had only managed to do one coat before the truck had to go), so the space in the workshop was still vacant.

This past Wednesday, Paul almost single handedly removed the transfer case and gearbox, and the main bearing on the input shaft is confirmed as fubar-d. Both will be sent off for a bit of TLC.

Meanwhile, Alexi and I rubbed down the paint with a bit of wet and dry, while Rich began installing some subtle indicators (largely hidden in the arches but highly visible when flashing) and dismantled the headlamps - one was inoperable and both needed a clean.

Would love to however we've got an 'in' tray that would give a secretary a heart attack!

So the above brings us up to last week (the truck went in to the workshop in June). We were busy trying to get her finished to take to a special training weekend on Salisbury Plain organised and hosted by The Garrison. It was a great event, perfect opportunity to practice many aspects of WW2 artillery drill and actions.

A particular highlight was the convoy barreling down dirt tracks, no sign of the modern world anywhere, with a Piper Cub spotter plane overhead.

Unfortunately the Chev got poorly mid way through proceedings on the Saturday, the transmission was making a rattling noise that got worse as the day went on, and there were still issues with fuel delivery when the engine was being worked hard.

Luckily our convoy included Sam in his 969a Wrecker 'T Bag' which dragged the limber and gun back to Larkhill so the quad could limp back and be loaded on to the Scania for the journey home.

Here's how she looked:

Which meant Herb could get on with getting the interior in

Meanwhile, Pete finished rebuilding the big end with fresh bearings, and the engine was painted.

James, Herb and Pete spent a good few hours getting the engine over the axle and in (when it was removed, there was no sump which made it easier)

A few nice touches - black radiator and some brasso on the dash labels, and she was ready to go!

(well, there was a frantic evening of plumbing in on the engine, and lots of tweaking, but I was too busy to take photos for a change)

All ready and hooked up to the 25-pounder for an important trip!

We finally got to put some green on her

The windscreens were rather rough but still strong. We didn't have time or facilities to completely rebuild them, so used rust treatment from landroverblogger.com which worked well.

Lots and lots of rubbing down, masking off, priming and painting followed. The door handles were given a freshening up and some oil.

The interior started to go green - we wanted to get plenty of paint in here as it would take a battering from kit etc.

Seats and other various parts were hung up to get painted.

Time to clean up grotty hubs and axles and get some primer on there

Body was rubbed down and areas of rust dealt with using the wire brush whirlygig thing

These hinges were stubborn and needed some heat to get them working again.

First coat of primer on, and Rich is working on the roof hatch (the metal on the roof had rusted and the hatch was very porous and not really attached as a result)

New bit of metal welded in

Primer on the important bits, the engine brace was particularly rotten and has had new metal added.

WARNING: Pic Heavy Thread Ahead

Whilst not quite a full restoration to the level of many on here, I did want to contribute more than just 'for sale' ads to the forum, so here goes!

In the Shopland Collection we've had this stalwart vehicle working for many years. It's lately been running erratically, famously conking out from fuel starvation in the DFVS Arena this year, and then a knocking big end meant it had to come out of the running fleet for a while, and cosmetically it needed some work.

It's a 1941 Chevrolet Field Artillery Tractor with the beetle back body. This example has been fitted with a Bedford 28hp engine at some point in its life, we believe it was used as a recovery truck in civilian life. The rear body had been cut in the middle to fit a recovery crane, and the two inner rear seats had been removed.

The engine was removed by our good friend Pete, and the yard forklift was used to push it into the workshop where the fun could begin. We took the opportunity to paint the floor in between the 4.5" gun leaving and the FAT arriving!

The stripdown began on the interior, which was always crowded, filled with junk, and cramped.

This fuel tank was due to come out

Taking the rear interior panel out made a lot of difference, and meant we could attack the inside and get some fresh paint in there.

Hi yes can you tell me more?

I've sent you some pics in a PM

We've got a chassis with running gear (transmission, diffs, axles, props) if you are interested?

that looks quiet origanle if you put that on the timber tractor page on face book that will sell . does it run and drive . what year is it .

Thanks for the advice! I will give it a list on there.

Details:

08538553 (Navy M.A.T) Built for the Army as a Medium Artillery Tractor (Tropical). Part of contract S4264 date probably 8.44 - 4.45. Original War Dept No H5471653, post war Ministry of Supply No 75RN26.

These things are pretty rare so hopefully someone will bring it back to life!

Crossley Q Type Chassis

£1000

Near Bristol, viewing available on request

Includes Axles, diffs etc. No Engine.

Austin K6 for spares or restoration

£1000

Located near Bristol

Includes chassis with engine, transmission, cab. No rear body.

Apologies for the cramped pics, not much room in the back of the shed!

Bedford QLB

Converted post-war into a recovery truck

Overall good condition

Engine has been reconditioned

Located near Bristol

£2250

Viewing can be arranged upon request.

Drop me a PM or an email at corwin@digforvictoryshow.com if you are interested!

AEC Matador for sale

Fairly complete. Includes cab, rear body, engine/gearbox etc. Has not been run in circa 20 years

Info (from the Matador Register):

08538553 (Navy M.A.T) Built for the Army as a Medium Artillery Tractor (Tropical). Part of contract S4264 date probably 8.44 - 4.45. Original War Dept No H5471653, post war Ministry of Supply No 75RN26.

Located in Clevedon, near Bristol.

Viewing welcome by appointment.

£5500

that would be great to see back restored, very nice truck. Are these original markings or one from an earlier restoration?

It's pretty much complete which is brilliant, just getting it running has been a great mojo boost to the team, now everyone wants to restore it!

Not very clear in the photo, but you can see green under the grey, around the markings (AFAIK grey was a post war RAF colour?)

There's also green on top of the grey which makes things complicated.

The post-war flasher unit on top has now been removed.

Some years ago I was looking around for a Crossley 'Q' type tractor and contacted the Crossley Register. They were, at that time, able to tell me of seven or eight unrestored 'Q' types still surviving in various parts of the country including three, or more, that were standing in the back garden of a well known Crossley collector. I'm assuming that some of the posters on this thread may be members of the Crossley Register so does anyone know what happened to these back garden Crossleys ? Are they still there ? Restored ? Scrapped ?

 

By the time I was offered a fairly complete and running example things had moved on so I told David Shopland about it and he bought and, as far as I know, still owns that one.

Certainly does! We had her out in the sun for the first time in years today. Running, driving and most importantly stopping.

It took young Harry a few days of work on it to get to this point but very much worth it.

None of the cheffins links seem to work, mate

Please do not put a like button into the system.

Under the present arrangement postings remain in order of date, with other groups a like posting then shuffles an older posting to the top and out of time sequence.

Currently following through the story line of a vehicles restoration is straight forward, it follows a set order of time.

( unless someone has commented on an earlier point and included a section of the post in their reply)

 

Have never seen that happen on a forum like this

I would be in favour of a 'like' button. A lot of the time, people read and appreciate a post, but don't write anything to that effect, so it can often seem like you are talking to yourself (for example updates on a project), but a 'like' actually makes you feel like people have actually engaged with your post and read it.

It doesn't take the place of actual discussion.

wow, a Jeep in 101st AB markings.

How.

Original.

I really like the look of that truck, especially in yellow

I used to do some recovery work with a garage that had an E4 fitted with a jib. It hadn't been run for quite a while but when the historic tax came in I talked the boss into letting me get it going. It was nice to drive on the road but not up to much low gear, low rev work off road. V8s sound alright but you can't beat a big diesel for low down grunt.

It was on a Q plate but I went through the process of getting an age related one for the "25 year exempt" tax class without any problems. I can't remember if it was MOT exempt due to recovery use or age but I have a feeling that they stopped production before 1960.

I know of at least two, converted for timber work, rotting away in a yard.

Digging up a really old thread here, but was it this one?

Corwyn, yes I suspect your crane is my best option - just the distance involved! Would you be available Friday 12th Feb in the afternoon. Could you give me the dimensions, might be easier to transport in a Luton? Cannot bear taking a photo of the Goddess, but will post one up shortly to show extent of the spongy wood!

Yes I can get dimensions on weds evening if thats ok? I can ask the boss if he can meet you on 12th Feb