mcspool

Another variation on this I came across today: "And remember – it isn’t only about what you are willing to pay; it’s also about what the seller is willing to take." :coffee:

I stand corrected. Harlingen having a port made me think of the merchant navy, but on second thoughts it's only some 30 kms away from Leeuwarden AFB. Taylor did use to supply uniforms, as per their 1965 ad. It does not seem there are still in business, otherwise you could ask.

Agree, and if it is a military jeep you want, all CJ types were used by Armed Forces across the globe.

Pretty sure it's not RNLAF, they have dark blue rank stripes. Gold stripes denote Navy, but not the Royal one as it doesn't have a curl on top. Maybe merchant navy?

Alistair, as much as I love the sight and sound of a running tank, I could not agree more. Just last week I went to see a Stuart in France in the same place where it was knocked out in the closing stages of WW2 - see http://the.shadock.free.fr/Tanks_in_France/stuart_moulinet/index.html. PRICELESS isn't it!?! Anyone claiming this could better be restored to commemorate WW2 is talking b&!!&ck$.. Taking a tank like this out of it's context means turning it from a historic artefact into a piece of scrap.

Very true Pete! Today I witnessed a good example of this. Today the Prince of Monaco auctioned 38 of his 100+ vehicle collection, including a GMC and three Dodges. I witnessed this auction as I am holidaying in the vicinity and wanted to have a look at a car auction; also never seen military vehicles being auctioned. What looks like a "plain Jane" 353 to me, with nice bodywork but unknown mechanicals - see the auction catalog entry and judge for yourself - was estimated to do 10.000 to 20.000 EUR, and it made 13.500 EUR. Star of the auction was the Dodge Command car with brisk bidding ending at 45.000 EUR; the fifth best price out of 38 cars auctioned. Clearly people are willing to pay a premium for a vehicle with no provenance other than being owned by someone "famous". It also helps auctioning vehicles in a town which hosts extremely wheathly people. In this case I guess it doubled fair market prices at least. There were a few regular HMV collectors present, but they were not impressed by "rare", "6 driven wheels!", or other (non)qualifications given by the auctioneer, and bid up untill roughly half the hammer price, which to me is another indication of what those "in the know" would be willing to pay.

Goran, You could very well be right; it looks like a "plain Jane" 353 to me. Bodywork is nice, but not perfect. Mechanicals, who knows? Vehicles don't like standing still. Like I said earlier, it is clear people are willing to pay a premium for a vehicle which was owned by someone "famous". Auctioning vehicles in a town which hosts extremely wheathly people - never seen so many super cars in one place - helps to prop up the prices as well. In this case probably 100% on top of the fair market value. There were a few regular HMV collectors present, but they were not impressed by "rare", "6 driven wheels!", or other (non)qualifications given by the auctioneer, and bid up untill roughly half the hammer price. For me it was fun to visit the auction as I was on holidays close to it. From your raving reporter "sur place"

Results, live from the auction: 19: 45.000 20: 20.000 21: 13.500 22: 18.000 In Euros, plus 21% fees, plus taxes.

Went to see the lots today. The three Dodges and the GMC look like nicely restored vehicles. Can't say anything about their mechanical condition, although it seems they were not used since being restored. Not sure about the guide prices, as I think the outcome will depend heavily on how much of a premium buyers will want to pay for an ex-Prince Rainier III vehicle. And yes, a Ford GPW will remain in the collection.

Does anybody have any clues where the remains that were recovered are now? I am currently in the vicinity and would like to get in touch with a local contact so I could have access to it. I think it is crucial to search for clues if indeed it was once fitted with a dozer blade or not. Thanks!

In the past many WW2 trucks in the UK were "declared built in 1939" to avoid taxes or some such.

Hmm, what would be under this tarp, trying to hide from the French sun? :cool2:

A lot is down to the driver's skill as well. A friend of mine drove a stick shift Sexton SPG faster uphill than an auto gearbox M18, reportedly the fastest "tank" of WW2 :yawn:

Despite billons spent on satellites, scientists, super computers, what have you not .... :wow: Anyway, enjoy your time at Beltring!

Thanks for sharing the pictures! Tempting.... :undecided:

For reference: The cargo body is correct, just a variation on the standard British 15-cwt theme, but it looks to be a unique variation with many detail differences.

Yes, it must have given a good return on its investment. The famous flathead design went on to be manufactured until the late 1960s in France. By the way, maybe one of those "French Flatheads" is a suitable replacement engine? They can be made to look very much like the wartime V8 - see quote from Maurice below. Check with RR Services to see if they have any left. PS: "built down to a cost" is what my friend refers to as "cheapskate engineering". Fact is, Ford is still around, most of those "proper English" manufacturers aren't

Photo caption:

Too bad! An English friend of mine used to comment heavily on Henry's cheapskate engineering, he would only be seen driving "proper English" vehicles

Don't know about this one, but last year the same seller offered a Morris Commercial C4 GS, "older restoration, complete but not running (electricals to renew)", for 16000 €.... But you've got to hand it to him, he has a knack for finding unusal & rare stuff! :thumbsup:

If you have more pictures, would you like to share them?

Nice find Tim! There's another project on Milweb currently:

Yeah . . . and a Dutch pilot flying a Tornado . . . and not going into Dutch pilots responding intelligently :-D

Have a close look here for a surviving Commer Q15 15-cwt GS truck!

You're right of course, should have written "Sherman, parts thereof" I wonder what they are going to do with the remains, as there is hardly anything recognisable as tank left? Maybe they should hire you, you will convince them by showing the pictures of what you started with....