TooTallMike

Don't put down more than 9 seats (including driver) or you need a PSV licence. I'd put the maximum possible in case your friends want a ride!

What sort of approximate time frame do you envisage this taking to complete, Mike? (given all the usual interruptions).

 

Mark B

 

I have to be good and sheet this up and walk away from it for now. I'll get manuals, tyres and needed parts as and when I see them. I must rebuild the WLF cab and re-wire it next winter so I realistically can't do anything major on the Autocar until winter 2008/2009. Having said that, I'm hopeless at putting down my toys so we'll have to see! Once started I imagine it'll be a long winter's work.

If anyone comes across one of these or similar at a show, could you please get contact details on my behalf? I'd really appreciate this :-) :-) :-)

What are you taking to Brighton TootallMike????

Big sexy wartime tow truck 8-) ! I took it last year as a tender vehicle. This year it's going as an entry. I'm contemplating driving on to Salisbury after but I think it might be a bit far :nut:

Does the test still follow the old pattern at a HGV test centre, off-road of:

 

* Reverse out of a parking bay around a pole or cone and into another parking bay.

* Drive forwards through a slalom of poles or cones and into another parking bay

* Drive out the parking bay and perform an emergency stop.

* Then out on to the road for an assessed drive.

Didn't have to do the 2nd of those, but the others, yes. You also have to answer a few questions about where to fill up your windscreen washer fluid and what mudflaps (sorry, 'spray suppressant equipment') are for :roll: . Then about 40mins out on the road including a 'gear change excercise', where you have to go up the gears from 1st to 3rd, and then back down again. I don't understand what this is supposed to prove though??? I surprised the examiner by double de-clutching down!

I took my class C (rigid vehicle up to 32tonnes) about 2 months ago. Went to a training company and paid for 4 days' tuition with a test on day 5. I've been driving big stuff off road since before I had a license so it was mainly a matter of ironing out bad habits. I thoroughly recommend this approach. It isn't cheap but these guys know the testers and know what they want to see you do. And the outcome...? :-D

Go for it and good luck!

Went last week :-( . Very sorry!

Oh hang on the Plymouth one was a SWB 7144 version as well. Would you still like to find the guys number out?

I would still appreciate it as I believe a lot of the parts are interchangable :-) .

Wow yu sure have an interesting new vehicle, when you have it at home, will you take some more pictures for us?

Thanks :-). Should be moving it in a couple of weeks' time and we'll be sure to get some pic's to post on here.

- Mike

Don't paint it. Take a wire brush to it and really clean it up. You might also use a small hammer and a chisel to "carefully"chip odd bits of heavy rust off. Then once it is fully clean, coat it in yachting varnish. Believe me, it will look superb. I have a WW1 18pdr shell done like this at home and it is a lovely ornament. I've got several other shells left plain which I cleaned up after bringing them home from the Somme last October. I'm thinking of treating a pick head to the varnish, but this belongs to Stryker. We used a wire brush,chisel and a centre punch to remove corosion from spent shell fuse caps and on some painted numerals or punched symbols were revealed - making the whole job very satisfying.

 

Thanks for the advice. That sounds a pleasing solution. As I know nothing about munitions, can I assume that since it has no 'pointy bit' and only rust comes out when it's up-ended, that it's safe to handle? I only ask because it's in the boot of my car... :shake:

:-( :-( :-( That's the weekend of the London to Brighton Commercial Vehicles Run and I'm booked in. I may see if I can get someone to take my place though. :-( :-( :-(

There is a restored one of these in Plymouth. The owner also took out the original engine and put a diesel in it.

Tim,

I don't suppose you'd have any contact details for him would you?

- Mike

No colour at all, but a nice authentic UXB sign next to it should keep the doorstep salesmen at bay :-D

Nice, maybe mounted upside down for extra effect too ! :rofl:

Mike, this may be a daft question.....bet what is the condition of the engine?

Any ulterior motive for asking or just inquisitive? :-)

Don't care cos' first job once the cab is off will be to pull the engine and install a Cummins B (5.9l) + turbo 8-).

as Mark says, real trucks don't have sparkplugs!

Can anyone identify this? I'd like to paint it to use as a doorstop, but what colour should it be?

Fortunately it's quite complete but there certainly is a lot of work to do. This is the other reason I can't face touching it while I have any other major projects on the go.

The soft top cab makes it post 1942 build. I won't be able to do the chassis number bit until it's out of the brambles. I don't know how they figure in the rarity stakes, but most of the survivors of this type are the U 7144 T which is a swb tractor unit without the box. According to Crismon, only 2,711 Pontoon tractors were built.

If it's over 3.5 tonnes and built pre-Jan. 1960 it's MoT exempt. There are a few other exemptions but these are the ones relevant to you.

Under that weight it needs an MoT, younger than that it needs a plating & testing cert.

You can try to reason with PO staff but often it's easier just to apply by post.

3 more pics...

Someone asked if there was anything else to come out of the yard I've been helping clear. Well I guess this is my prize:

It's an Autocar pontoon tractor which has been retrofitted with the twin boom Holmes gear from a Diamond T 969, and a hard top cab. The last photo shows what it should look like. It is in very sorry condition and I paid a little above scrap value for it. It's going to have to be stored for a year or so while I get other projects out of the way but I'll start collecting parts, manuals etc. My initial thought it to return it to soft cab configuration but leave the Holmes gear on as it makes it very practical. I'll also fabricate a box to go between the cab and the crane to hold kit.

Can we have a whole section in which to rant about the incompetence of the DVLA ?

I just tried to tax the WLF online using the the electronic reference number which THEY sent ME on the V11 form . I just submitted this feedback to their website.

<< My vehicle is exempt from MoT/plating & testing due to age and weight. The first page of your on-line vehicle taxation system gives an option of 'MoT certificate not applicable'. I clicked this and went through the process only to be told that my application couldn't be processed because an MoT certificate is required. Surely your highly efficient system should know that a vehicle which is MoT exempt cannot be taxed in this way so why have I been given an electronic reference number on my V11 ? >>

Never mind protesting about the Congestion Charge, how's about everyone refuses to pay their car tax until the DVLA is brought to account ?

That was a very good and pleasingly informal show and it was a pleasure to meet some of the guys from here :-) . It's definitely one for the diary next year. The museum was very good. I like to see exhibits you can walk right round, touch and peer into without barriers or H&S stupidity. It was very well laid out, informative and well presented - exactly how a museum should be to foster an interest in its subject matter. 10/10.

Driving the WLF home via the Elephant and Castle and back through Brixton and Streatham was fun too! I find it flattering that even hoodie kids turn to look when I drive past and it's amazing how cars let you change lane when they see the rear wheels easing out towards them! Even taxi drivers give way! I had to chastise a clown in a Beemer who cut me up after overtaking on the inside using a bus lane before braking hard right in front of me. I sounded the air horn from about 6' away and saw him jump in his seat. Magic! :evil:

If it helps it was filled with water & VAOS Section A2 NIV/2, which probably most households would have somewhere.

 

That's not bleach is it ? Just trying to think of things which can be diluted with water.

We should be down at Horndean for a couple of the days. It might even be the first outing for the MUTT.

Hi Vince,

Welcome on board.

I wrote you a harsh welocme but have thought better of it.

Leaving this bit in though -

he's not bloomin' volunteering to work on anyone else's stuff 'til he reaches the end of my list. :-) :deal:

ps. found a new smiley, let's see if it works here:

pps. Hiya matey!

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Looks like we might be coming on Saturday instead with the WLF, pickup and maybe a jimmy.

See you all there!

I spoke to Mr Buckley and he said we don't have to be there until 09:30 - 10:00 so I even get a lie-in. Hurrah!

More possible arabic found under several layers of paint on the underside of the bonnet.

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