Pete Ashby

A photo might help you get a more accurate answer to your question Kenny, as Lauren points out make sure you know what it is you are buying, is it an FAT or 60cwt LAAT? Pete

Very nice restoration thanks for posting, I really like those early Dodges. I'm just about to start work on a 43 Canadian D15 water tanker. Pete

Fair point Tony, the current Jeep I've just finished is very original except I've put a lot of new mechanical components onto it and the British Army rebuilt it to class 1 in 1952 so your point stands. Having said that I think there is a line in the sand that can be crossed and totally new look alike jeeps crosses the line for me. Pete

Interesting photos Goran, the last but one could that be a section of Pluto pipe line that is being welded ? Pete

It's a kit car plain and simple,..... if it floats your boat fine.........do I like the idea?, not a lot, but it's a free world. For me it falls into the same problematic area that vintage Hot Rods fall into as they demonstrate a really impressive amount of skill and work however, I'm left feeling the car would have been better restored to original condition. The car bears a passing resemblance to the original but that's where it stops and for me it's the same issue with the reproduction jeeps on the market. Pete

You really can take your pick of any unit including Army Air-force that takes your fancy. The WC51/52 fulfilled the role of light duty transport for virtually all units of the US army. Pete

Welcome Tom, Gordon has just about covered all the main points that you need to know for starters. I would just add it would be worth you joining the Maple Leaf Up CMP forum most CMP collectors around the globe can be found on this site. regards Pete

The situation regarding FJ policy with MV's seems very confused as evidenced by my own experience and the comments in this thread. The company are still advertising in the relevant periodicals and as some one else pointed out actually use a picture of a jeep in the adverts. However when I phoned with what I thought to be a dead easy quote for a GPW fully UK registered and on the road I received a very cool response along the lines that FJ no longer dealt with military vehicles, I voiced surprise particularly regarding their continued advertisement, the person I was dealing with put me on hold then came back and said that they would make an exception this time and would be prepared to quote on this occasion. This all seemed very retrograde and not unlike it used to be before specialist insurance became a recognized off shoot in the motor insurance world. I'd lost all confidence by this point and I went elsewhere, Adrian Flux as it happens, where I got fast efficient service and a good price from a rep who was switched on, asked all the right questions and knew exactly what I was trying to insure. It occurs that perhaps FJ would benefit from a clear policy decision regarding there position in the market both to their phone representatives and not least prospective customers. Pete

Like a lot of us I insured all my vehicles, British, Canadian and US with Footman James for years and they have had a fair sum out of me over the years for the privilege. This year I got a very grudging response from them when I wanted to add a jeep it was very much as if they were doing me an extreme favor and were pretty mealy mouthed about it. I went elsewhere and got a better price and deal and will not return. Pete

Fair question Terry and as old as restoration itself. No official line in the MV world, but one that maybe becomes more important as the price of vehicles continue rise, this certainly exercises minds in the classic/vintage racing world. I'll be interested to see what sort of response your question gets this time round. regards Pete

Very nice work indeed Pete

NoS Ford clips have been advertised recently from the US on e-bay at a not unreasonable price Pete

I have a couple of take off GPW front springs in the store, I'll dig them out and see what the rebound clip position is compared to your pictures. Pete

Welcome to HMVF, I have a few small parts currently in the spares for sale section on here, let me know what you are looking for as I have some other parts that could do with a new home. Pete

Interesting conclusions Don, one question occurs, did you keep the original cam profile and if so at high revs was valve bounce an issue ?. I'm impressed with the 74.7mph top speed with the screen down, I think I would have to wear my best brown corduroy driving pants if I was behind the wheel :-D. There are additional issues with increasing the overall road speed of course, not least the handling characteristics which at even at design speeds can be unpredictable on some road surfaces. Still as an engineering exercise interesting. Pete

some interesting photos on this link http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=51576, a few of the photos I have seen before but many new to me well worth a look. Pete

I applaud the action, but I wouldn't hold your breath if I were you. Pete

Iv'e just picked this thread up..................Oh dear:cry: I would have thought that in today's world the HM Gov would have had more important things to concern it's self with rather than meddling and harassing the easy target that the motorist presents. Tired and worn out of Wales

What vehicle are you trying to fit the canvas to? Pete

Good morning David and Happy New Year to you, stock answer was 'I might find a use for one day' even if it was like gold dust which was the case when I found a mint condition cab tilt for my Retriever in a pile of canvas at the back of the goods shed and out came the immortal line. Certainly a man of the old school direct and to the point, some found him difficult to deal with and some people he would not do deal with at any price, but I never had a problem. I first met Chris at the age of 16 at one of John Carters Shotersbrook shows Phil Passey introduced us, another of the old school no longer with us along with the likes of Joe Hurst from St Mary Bourne, Joe tried to convince Keith Orpin and I that we should buy a Diamond T ballast tractor on the road for about £500.00 delivered........... those were days. Regards Pete

Certainly was Richard, some choice stuff came out of that yard, I remember on one visit in the late 70,s Chris trying to persuade me that I really wanted an AEC armoured car, I think it was a choice of three, all I was after was a jeep layshaft. Fool that I was I wasn't persuaded, I some how think the AEC would be worth more than a jeep now :-(. Do you remember the Cadalac tank engines that had been Nos in crates, just heaps of melted Aluminium after one of several fires on the premises?. Did Chris ever show you the photos of NoS jeep and Dodge parts in crates stacked 10 feet high on the goods shed loading ramp? Happy days it was always a good day out at St Albans.......you don't get yards or people like that any more. Pete

Am I right in thinking Richard that Bedford produced a small number of QL's specially fitted out in the role of fire tenders for use on larger military camps.............or it may just be the result of my muddled imagination after too much festive port and cheese:nut:... either way interesting photo of reverse Lease Lend. Pete

Thanks Nick for putting it up, there are not many places where you can see that much WW11 armour on the move these days. Pete

Interesting point Richard, It may well control the dynamo output more closely. That is the main reason I have kept away from the new types of battery as the specs all seem very tight on voltage input. Whereas the most of the US pattern WW11 era dynamo/cvc set ups seem operate in a range from 6 to 8 volts. I don't pretend to understand the fine detail of alternator v dynamo/cvc charging patterns but I just feel it's a lot of money to lay out on the new style batteries to find that the spikes produced by the old technology damages it, but I'm willing to be converted if more positive information becomes available. Pete

All valid pros and cons Tony, If it's any consolation Iv'e been down this avenue a couple of times in the last 2 years but each time opted for the conventional old school lead acid on the basis of lack of proof positive on 6v system improvements when using the new type batteries. Charging from 6v dynamo/cvc set ups seems to raise questions which I have not been able to get definitive answers for, I'd be interested to hear more on this from any one who has the new types fitted to conventional charging systems. Pete