44GPW

Thanks Snort, Yes, he has done a fantastic job, i cant fault it!! Martin is retiring in June and there isnt many others doing British Canvas, so you may want to get your order in soon? First show is Bassingbourn in May. Hopefully all the work will be done by then but there is still quite a bit to do. Cheers Richard

Fitted a new Cab Canvas today. Made by Martin at Allied Forces to a fantastic standard.

My new wiring loom from "Auto Sparkes arrived today. Looks really good! Thanks Richard F for the heads up on the supplier. Now just the simple task of fitting it..............:shocked: Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Hi Gren, Nice looking MW and with an exciting history i would suspect being over there in Italy? I see some early features, large head lights, round grill badge, which may point to it being an early model? Any chance of some photos inside the cab and the engine compartment? There are some on this forum that have rebuilt the rear bodies, so i'm sure someone will have the plans you seek? I can see the current rear body is not original. Great find. Richard

Hi, Nice find, but can i suggest you start your own thread? It will stop your story being mixed up with mine!! Chassis number will be on the chassis rail above the step / tyre inflator (passenger side).

Thanks Sparky, PM sent.

Hi Richard, Thanks for that. Yes, i was aware of the later the Oil filter. There is a Vauxhall Motors rebuild plate on the engine dated 1950. Looks like i may be able to get an adaptor from the PO, but longer term i assume can i change both Manifolds to get it correct (assuming i can obtain them). Thanks Richard

Lightening quick replies guys. Richard, its OY1151R

Hi Guys, Finally after weeks of poor weather and killer "Man Flu" i managed to get some good shots of my new toy!! Be interested in your comments (good, bad or indifferent). Please dont look at the wiring....its awfull, but i have a new loom on order.

Guys, Need some help to work out whats wrong here? Went to fit a correct Wartime Solex Carb to my MW today, which is the correct type as per MW manuals (currently have a 1950's Zenith unit fitted). I was perplexed to find that the Flange on the Solex Carb was 90 degrees different to the flange on the Manifold?? I'm assuming i have the incorrect Intake Manifold fitted, but would appreciate your input/confirmation (see photos attached). Many thanks Richard

Hi guys, Would an attempt to find out some of the wartime and/or post WW2 history of my Bedford MWD be fruitless without a post war census number?? I have the chassis number but nothing else until 1991 when it first appeared on the DVLA register. Thanks Richard

Thanks Robert. I think the different manufacturers theroy is probably the most likely reason for the differnt colours found? After all, there was a war on and i would have thought the steering wheel colour figured very low in the priorty list? Just wanted to make sure before i got mine restored. Thanks all for your input. Richard

Thanks all for your responses. Ian, here's the link to the company i'm going to use. http://www.steeringwheelrestoration.co.uk/bus_and_coach_steering_wheels_gallery.php They seem to know their stuff and have a mould for the MW wheel. Where did you get your centre from as mine is missing also. Cheers Richard

Guys, Does anyone have any ideas on this?? I'm about to send mine off for recovering so i need to make a decision on the colour. Thanks Richard

Yep, been considering them, about the right size that i want too. Thats probably the route i will go, maybe fitting two Rubbolites on the toolbox rail in addition, so i still have the original lighting set up as well (providing i turn up a pair). Thanks Richard

Guys, About to re-wire my MWD and want to change the rear lights which are currently square, all in one clusters that look awfull! I know the originals were small Rubberlite units, but they would not be safe enough to use nowadays in my opinion, so, what have others used at the back of WW2 British trucks? Ideally, i would like round (approx 50mm dia) single units for Brake, side and indicators. Any help very much appreciated. Thanks Richard

Thanks John, I found them at Stoneleigh. Think he started the day with a few sets? I bought the last ones he had. I read through the post and it seems that some MW's, early or late, did not have seats with studs for the seat cushions? Mine doesn't either, and there is no evidence of them ever having them? So maybe the straps were never an MW thing? After all, the seats don't tilt, which is why it seems the straps were added on other vehicles? I think being bolted through the base as suggested is likely? Anyway, pleased I can be happy with my purchase? Thanks both for your help. Richardk

Yep, that's them. What can you tell me? Thanks Richard

Does anyone have a Bedford part numbers list? I bought a pair of Bedford NOS canvas seat covers for my MW. They are the correct size and have a lace up seam at the front. The original packing label states.... Vauxhall Motors 6/VEH/920/CB.28B. Hope someone can help? Thanks Richard

Does anyone have a Bedford parts number list? I bought some NOS Canvas seat covers for my MW. They are the correct size with a lace up seam at the front. The label states Vauxhall Motors 6/VEH/920/CB.28B. Hope someone can help? Thanks Richard

Were original MW Steering wheels Black, Green or both? Mine looks very original and is Green. I have seen others this colour also on restoration threads. Most seem to be black, the same used on other Bedfords. As mine is very tatty i plan to get it restored, so could do with some clarity as to what colour it should be before i do. Maybe its an early/late thing? Anyone have any ideas on this? Thanks Richard

Ahh, is that how you tell an original bolt??

It seems that there were a few different patterns of seat and cushion used on the MW, probably an early / late thing? The base cushion seems to be consistent, having two straps at the front which attach the cushion to the underside of the seat with the use of press fastenings, and one strap at the back, which attaches to the seat back in the same way. The back cushions differ in that some patterns have open backs which either attached using one press fastening on each side towards the base, or they just fit loose. Others are a complete envelope, that fits loosely over the seat back. I believe the later were attached using bolts/nuts, as my original cushions have holes which line up to a row of holes near the base of the seat, but i have not been able to prove this either way. Anyone have anything further to add regarding MW seats? Do you think i need to get out more........:yawn: Thanks Richard

Thanks for that Rippo. I dug out the old covers tonight, kept by the previous owner who replaced them, and they are exactly as the replacements. They seem to have been originally fixed by fixings through the base of the cover into the seat as there are adjacent holes in both cover and seat back. I would assume fitted with bolts and cup washers? Richard

John, Thats for posting the photos....makes complete sense now. Not sure what to do with mine now? The previous owner has had new ones made, to a really good standard, but they have full backs, so not finished off as they originally would have been. Without the correct pattern to work to, i doubt whether i will find anyone who will be able to adjust mine correctly? Richard