Mattyboy

Thank you for your replies, most of which is not an issue; Insurance is fine, spares are not an issue (I sell matador spares, see my other posts) I always carry oil, water, fuel tools, recovery equipment in my storage lockers just in case, I am aware of the regulations regarding high viz jackets, bulbs and warning triangles etc and as for time, well we will come home when we are ready! There will be a back-up team in cars and my parents live in France, so it's things like boat or train? know any good routes, places to visit? regualations for travelling on roads in Holand and Belgium, that kind of info I am after thanks again

Ok here's the Plan, my good friend and I are planning a little road trip with our old trucks, something a little more adventurous than popping a few miles down the road to a local rally and sitting there all weekend drinking cups of tea. We know where we want to start, centre of London (it's only 30 or so miles away) then drive to Dover, get the boat and then off to Paris, maybe a steam rally or show in France somewhere, across to Belgium, then Holland (never been there) and back to Harwich. We would like to do it in August next year over a few weeks and try and raise money for our local charity and gain some sponsorship along the way, our trusty steeds are a AEC Matador and an Explorer both in civilian spec. For us it will be an epic adventure, the furthest I have ever been is 75 miles; for some of you who have done this kind of trip into Europe before, it would be a 'walk in the park' so Guy's I have lots of questions and advice needed, where should we go? What legal stuff do we need to be aware of and how many pairs of shorts do I need to pack? But before anyone asks, yes we are as confident as you can be, that they are both good for the miles! Over to you.........

Not to often you see an armoured matador about, this one spent it's post-war life on the fair grounds pulling a set of galloper's.

Don't go for the sport, your mates will take the piss out of you! Seriously I have the Range Rover with the BMW V8 in it, it does 19mpg it has been reliable, parts are not that expensive, its so, so nice to drive and in the snow last year well you just couldn't beat it. Also your never going to drive a range rover any say....... hmm I wish I brought the Discovery

My little story is partly desperate bodge, partly mother of all recoveries and a very nasty RTA to suit. One Sunday afternoon I’m in Morrison’s doing my shopping with the then, current Mrs Matt and the phone rings; a good friend of mine had been involved in a major RTA in his Steam lorry, it was bad, he needed recovery and the vehicles had left the road. So left the shopping trolley in the middle of the shop dashed straight there in my car, wondering as you do what I was going to see when I got there. Well basically Police, Fire service and ambulances a Volvo Estate car missing it’s front, in the middle of the road, a bmw wrapped around a tree and a steam lorry amongst the trees, on top of the BMW. The Police where very helpful they told us to get on with it, further investigation revealed that the Steam lorry had left the road and had collected a tree and the complete suspension and drive unit from the BMW (with wheel still attached) all this was stuck under the chassis and dug into the ground. The front of the lorry was embedded into the BMW, the steering box was smashed and the front cross member was hanging off, the chassis was bent, a rear spring was bent and the cab needed more than a good T-cut, oh and that lovely smell of leaking petrol to keep you on your toes. So to all you recovery experts how would you solve this one? Luckily our yard was only 4 miles away and with two Fordson Majors, a good team of people, all the recovery equipment we could get in the back of the land rover and enough fags for a recovery operation as serious as this, we got too work. We dug out all the debris from under the wagon and it took a land rover and a tractor double heading to drag the lorry off the bmw, back onto the road. So with no brakes (some nice hills) and no steering it was time to go. Our Mate Nigel using nothing more than a length of rope managed to make an A-frame by attaching each end to the track rod on each hub, tying a knot in the middle and that went on the coupling of the tractor (remember no front cross-member to pull on). So now we had the ability to steer and tow, just not stop; so the second tractor on a push pole, coupled up to the back to act as brakes. Off we set Escort vehicle in front clearing the way, lots of flashing lights, a bit of shunting to get off the main road and it was mission accomplished

My comments for what they are worth, disconnect the fuel pipe that feeds the pump, ie the pipe from the lift pump to the pump. Make sure that if the pump has the internal in line filter it is clean. Then using a empty coke bottle with the bottom cut off, hang this in the cab then run a pipe to the pump. Undo the bleed screw on the back of the pump (the now gravity fed system) will purge the air. Start the engine, if it runs fine and the problem goes, stop the engine and leave for a few hours, a day etc. Then re-start it again (don't bleed it) This will then rule out the fuel system issues. Also check the air intake pipe/ filter, if it can't get enough air it will never run right.

Congratulaions, if you need and help/ advice parts etc please message me or ring me. A good friend of mine who is Mr Matador lives not far from you and is very helpfull. You'd better but some pictures up! regards Matt 07779003635

Sorry If this picture has already been posted, if so let me know and i will remove it. Also sorry about the poor quality, its a picture of a picture, no more details. regards M

Fancy meeting you here!........ think there is even a picture of your S4 on here if you look carefully

Don't think you can beat a few colour pictures of matador's working back in the day, these pictures must be from the late 60's or early 70's. As ever always immaculately turned out, this was George Fensom's matador.

didn't struggle at all it came to about 25 tons, so we thought we'd put a bit more weight on it..... another Matador, pushed and pulled at the same time. Amazing what these old things can do. The load is not mine, just a bit of fun at a rally one afternoon Thanks for everyones kind words, shall at some point put some pictures and words together in the restoration section.

Hi Mike, All that sounds about right, I brought it of Albert in 1997 and am very greatfull for all those bits you sold me many years ago. Was interested to see your picture of the matador you broke for spares, as that is where my engine, springs, hubs and many other bits and bobs ccame from. Did use to have the TBH 330E plate on the front, but history tells us that it might have worn a few different identities. Didn't see the picture of it in the matador gallery, must look harder.. anyway would be interested if anyone else had any more history on it. regards Matt

Greetings all thought I'd just say hello I'm Matt Foster I like anything mechanical esp if it's knackered and rusty. Own A AEC Matador 0853 3479 which I purchased in 97 at 18 years old, heavily stripped and very rough; just a chassis, rear axle, winch, transfer box and a rotten cab really. Anyway took 10 years to restore, still got a fair bit to do. Couple of pictures, first as I found it, the next at its first rally and the last doing a recovery of a broken down steam wagon. Can post more pictures if anyone is interested. Am no expert on matador's or MV, but picked up a bit a few ideas and knowledge along the way (normally the hard way) I am involved in CNC machining for a living, aerospace F1 etc all dull, but handy for machining up bits and bobs. I'm lucky because the Girlfriend loves Matador's too and I have two pet ducks and love donkeys. I can't spell very well so apologies for all my future posts!