Great War truck

It would seem to be more by like than judgement. We have made many contacts and we all seem to watch out for each other. If anything interesting turns up we try to let each other know so it will find a good home. So, for example, the 7 Dennis chassis. Well we bought 5 from one chap in one fell swoop. One of those had been turned into a mobile hut and abandoned in a forest. Two were incorporated into the roof of a garage. For now i cant remember where the other two came from. One was saved by a Welsh chap who wanted to restore it but then realised that no bits were available and after storing it for many years sold it on. The most recent one was found under a bungalow in Cornwall. Just luck. I am sure that for everyone we find another one gets cut up. I was recently chasing a WW1 crossley that i heard was sitting in a field near Tipperary. Found it was cut up and scrapped in 2004. When i told the guy who knew about it that a restored one was currently up for sale for £75,000 he nearly had a fit. I expect he will find me another one now, which would be great as long as he does not expect anything like that sort of money for it. Tim (too)

Thats right. We bought five originally and then two more turned up. All in various states of decay and with bits missing. This one is the second best of them so we are keeping it. The rest were sadly all too far gone to do anything with other than provide spare parts. Tim (too)

Oh yes, you are right. It is the first truck chassis photo. Actually it is already in our possession, we were just pruning the undergrowth and putting the chassis up on blocks as we dont want it to deteriotate to the extent that it becomes unrestorable. Tim (too)

Here is one that the Army Service Corps truck dismantling and hiding unit got to previously. Not often that you see Father gardening. Tim (too)

Very very funny. That made me laugh out loud! Probably true and that explains a lot about WW1 truck restoration. Tim (too)

Here is something that i have been pondering for a while. When i bought the Jeep i could not afford it all myself so my Brother Steve went in 50 50 with me. Everything has worked very well and we both enjoy it (although as it lives at my house, i probably enjoy it more than him). A friend of ours told us that it joint projects are a bad idea as you will never be able to agree on anything as to colour scheme, restoration, storage, shows, add ons etc. This has never happened to us and we have never disagreed on anything. In this day and age when vehicles are quite expensive for just one pocket, has anybody else gone into a joint ownership project and have they encountered any difficulties or problems. Are Steve and I unique in that we get on, or is it my friend who is unique as he does not get on with anyone when it comes to MV's. Tim (too)

Who wants to have a go at identifying these? You could offer a silly caption if you like. Tim (too)

Tim (too)

Why, what would you say? Tim (too)

Isn't Lyon the home of Berliet trucks? Tim (too)

These trucks are all (but the grey Autocar) from military service. It is a bit hard to tell with the Dennis restoration as when finished it will consist of parts from about 7 different Dennis trucks, but they are all of the war time subsidy model even if some parts are replacement post war bits. Tim (too)

Yes thats right. The citric acid is used to clean up the ali and does a good job of it. I cant remember where it came from. Tony will know and I am sure he will post the answer soon. It is very hard to find any info on these early trucks, however through friends, contacts and the internet we have established enough information to enable us to do our projects. Interestingly, info on the US built trucks is much more readily available than the british built trucks. No idea why this is, but we have everything we could need now for the Peerless, our next project. Another great source of information comes from photos of these trucks which i avidly purchase when ever i come across them. Tim (too)

This is just about how it was left today. Tim (too)

Of course getting the thing apart has involved using the big sockets with scaffolding pole to get extra leverage. Getting it all red hot. Belting necessary parts with a hammer. Shouting at it. All the usual stuff really. But of course doing it with utmost delicacy so as not to break anything. Here are some photos which are fairly self explanatory: It is interesting to note that the transmission drum on this gearbox is actually two of them bolted together (unlike our other example), probably to give it better braking. We will return it to this configuration as being able to stop in a hurry is always useful. Everything has come apart using our tried and tested methods, however, the brakes are rusted solid and can not be taken off, despite the direst of threats. The shafts are stuck solid in the ali gear box caseing and we can not ease them off the end. We have stopped for now to reconsider our strategy. Tim (too)

Well if Leicestershire is Gods back garden, the particular piece that it will be going to is the bit of waste ground behind the compost heap where only stinging nettles grow (sorry Steve). Anyway, it wont be happeneing for some years yet i am sure. Too many other distractions and the shed has not been built yet. On the restoration front i have just spent a few days down in Devon and we have been working on dismantling the gearbox. Not very exciting, but quite satisfying as it comes apart. The problem is of course the very delicate case which you can see here: The aliminium has rotted away in some places and we are desperately trying not to make it fall apart.

That is true, but only for the Saturday. I would like to do more, but i would also like to remain married. Tim (too)

Is it Coutance? Oh hang on. No it is nothing like it.

Ok then. Before i start going through books, is it in an area that was liberated by the British, the Canadian or American forces. I presume that it is a British photograph as the US ones had different markings in the corner? Thanks Tim (too)

Jack. Do you know the answer to this, or do you really not know? Tim (too)

I love that snow picture. I was hoping to take the Jeep out when we had snow last weekend. However i couldnt get the cars in front of it out the way so it ahd to stay in the garage. Did the Explorer get through without any trouble. Certainly couldnt have done that in my Jeep. Tim (too)

Nice to see the Amazon. Does it have to work for its keep? Tim (too)

The engine still has a lot of work to do on it, including the making of a new water pump. Steve has been slighlty side tracked on another project so that will take a bit of time to get finished. In the meantime, Tony has started work on the gearbox. We have the remains of three gearboxes, two of which have smashed casings and the third one is "delicate" to say the least. Steve is confident that it can be brought back. I am a little wary, but have every confidence in Steve. Anyway, this is how it looks with the cover off and you can see the gears inside. The gears all look to be in good order, but i still have reservations about the casing. Ever optimistic, we proceed ever onwards. Tim (too)

I have not updated this for a while and i am not certain how many photos we have lost since the server incident. Anyway, just to keep you up to date, the fan and mounting have been all cleaned/painted and now mounted on the engine.

Yes Paul. I think you were there the same day as me. Still looking for my other photos of the day. here is one of them: Here are some more of this years event: I will get you the dates of this years event. We will be able to take vehicles onto the ranges and drive on and off the landing craft. Richard will also give us the full tour if you are so interested. There is a lot to see, if you know where to look. I will post some more info soon and if anybody else wants to bring a vehicle you will be welcomed. Tim (too)

Here it is. Packards being rebuilt in one of the hangars. I dont think the insides have changed very much in all that time. Tim (too)