Great War truck

For 1912 i would have expected wooden wheels and a brass radiator though?

Commer exported to Canada before WW1. Very interesting to find a survivor.

Thanks Ed. That is very interesting and explains a lot. Next question, why are there no surviving Peerless trucks in the USA? We know they didnt all come to Britain during the war and have seen hundreds of photos of them in private ownership during the teens and twenties, but no survivors? Thanks Tim

Good to hear from you Ed and that these truck restorations still provide interest in the USA. That White is a beautiful car. What an amazing find. I am told that of all the early US built luxury cars that Peerless are less preferred than say Packard, Pierce Arrow and Locomobile. Is that your impression? Why do you think that might be? I think that they are very elegant.

A 58771? Are you missing a digit? Whereabouts did you find it?

That is a great. Thanks for sharing it.

Took the two Jack Shafts with their Sprockets to the Sand Blaster to get them cleaned up before an initial examination. Was surprised to find three small nails jamed in a Key way and it rather looks as if they were deliberately placed there at some time in the past to fill a gap - or something. They were easily removed. It will probably all be come obvious why they were there when we come to put the thing togther again!Also removed the rather shabby Release Spring assembly from an old Brake Band so that two new ones can be made, using that original as a pattern. The Spring is of a square section wire and is there a significance in that?

New bits and pieces were completed a week or two ago for the Transmission Brakes but now we wish to get on with them and get them completed. We either had no original parts of them in the "Spares Department" or those that we did have were beyond repair but fortunately could serve as patterns.Initially, we found only one of the two brackets that are riveted to the ends of the Brake Bands so that one was "tarted up" to serve as a pattern for the Foundry so that four new ones could be cast. That worked out acceptably but the new castings proved to be hard and were not a lot of fun in machining them! We are not sure if they became chilled or perhaps there were inclusions - but it all worked out.New steel for the Bands was obtained and we had these rolled to fit - but they still need shortening to the required final lengths,. New linings were also obtained and are now ready.The next task before fitting the linings to the steel bands is to make two new "Releasing Springs" which have to be riveted to the steel bands before the linings are attached. The pictures will show that the originals have "had it"!

Not seen that for a while. Do you know the chassis number please?

Trial fitting of Transmission Brake Shaft

Sill looking to replace some of the missing bits and in particular, the braking system at the present time. The Transmission Brake or Foot Brake is known as the Service Brake in the Parts Book - there should be two adjustable Anchor Rods for this and we only have one original. That original is fit to use again and a new second one is being fabricated as a copy of that original - the eye at the end is to be welded to the rod but screwed in now to hold it all together. The hole for the pin can be opened up to the final diameter after welding.All straight forward but there are UNF threads on this where we were anticipating UNS again. Keeps you on your toes!

Yes it is. A TAR 01. Not sure about the cab though.

The Latil just sold at auction for 62,000 Euros. Quite a respectable price.

Just looking at bits at the moment before we return to the Transmission Brake Bands and linings to finish them.There are Stuffing Boxes on the ends of the Jack Shafts and the cover on each is secured by 6 bolts. We have seven included with our bits which are reusable so five to make and this mainly done today - screw driver slots still to put in the heads. Steve already has a set up to do that so these bolts will go back with him to his place when he next comes down west again.Interestingly, the Parts Book shows studs on this set up with separate nuts but we had the bolts with cross holes drilled in the head of each for securing wire so this has been replicated by us. Presumably a later modification.

I am fairly certain that the Swiss did not supply Austria with wagons, although of course Saurer trucks were made under licence in Austria and Germany. A load of WW1 and WW2 horse drawn wagons recently sold at auction in France.

I wouldn't think so, but this is often claimed by the sellers of these carts.

That looks great. Now you need a HMORS trailer to go with it.

This Model T supposedly featured in the movie 1917. I personally dont remember it. Does anybody? https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1264032?fbclid=IwAR1nkZkziAG0rTHuWBmlkq7sHpfJzpHzkt0Tn4Uq3e9YUi4LM3IRteTGlV4

A cracking photo of it (and some other early trucks) here: https://ccmv.aecsouthall.co.uk/p971350189/h507b4532#h507b4532

Brake Shaft - stripped down, cleaned up and temporarily reassembled with original corroded fittings.

Sorry. I was joking really. It looks better in its DCC livery.

Had you considered putting it back into WD livery?

A fascinating story. Thanks.

Just as long as it was not pollyfiller!