alixcompo

People have been kind enough to offer help elsewhere on this site but I thought I would try this thread as well I have a 1958 ex RN Beford CA Utilicon I believe the serial number was 94RN47 while the final '7' is questionable I am sure that is what it is. I believe it was sent to Malta The engine number is CA4 102996 and chassis no. CAV102890 Any information would be fascinating. P.S. I need 16" wheels if anyone has some

As you may have realised from previous entries the van has no history other than the mysterious 94RN0?(7?) serial number. As an up date the final digit of the sequence is missing. while I am fairly sure that it is a 7 someone on this site has researched for me and discovered that for the time period there was no 94RN07 or come to that 94RN08.! There are no registration details at all; although Vauxhall Heritage have a manufacture date of 1958 on the chassis number. No month as it was part of a batch order. (presumably Royal Navy) Each time I discover something another mystery seems to pop up. So this afternoon I cleared the back of the back out and discovered two small voids, gaps between the rear fold up 'Utilicon' seat frame, wooden locker and the original wheel arch. Blow me it it isn't full of newspaper and stuff that some enterprising rodent has been home making with. Oddly enough (pehaps because I am odd) this gets me quite excited because newspapers have dates and information relative to a particular location. Carefully I worked my way through the surviving detrious only to discover the newspapers are foriegn (i.e. not English) and dated as recently as 1997 A rapid bit of 'Googling' identified the newspaper as 'The Torch' which is published and read in....... Malta. This does make sense, the van isn't too rusty though every piece of rubber trim is shrivelled like it has been torched, that it has stood somewhere very hot. The Royal Navy had a long association with Malta so why wouldn't the have CA van runabouts there. But why a newspaper date of 1997. There was only one paper and no other dates. All theories are welcome. Don'cha just love a mystery

Likely the van will be at War & Peace.... Possibly in much the same state it is now.!

Are you sure this is War & Peace exhibit material...?

And here are some bodywork pics [ IMG]http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w472/alixcompo/DSC00526-1.jpg[/img]

As a bit of and update...... I have still been mainly collecting bits. Quite a hoard really. I have managed to get a full set of original glass bar the back doors, although I have a pattern to get those made. While I was going to repair the OE doors I managed to get a full set of excellent repaired ones. I think that I have located a 4th 16" wheel rim (which means I have 4 spare 15") which is especiaLLY good as I just love the way those big wheels fill the arches on the early CA's. So I've got to the point of repairing the really hard bits..... Namely the center bar between the two windscreens and the very original metal front door frames. I managed to get a very nice chap to cut the center bar out of his donor van and send it to me. He was concerned that it was very rusty but it was always going to be a lot better than mine which had rusted completely away; mainly I might add because someone had done a filler repair in the past, which had blocked any chance of damp or condensation draining away. I have made the section after copying the supplied center piece. I still have the frames which fit into rubber on the front doors. I am well aware that these really are unobtainium. I have managed to weld repair sections in. Next will be finding the rubber section. For a couple of hundred quid I can get a die made and the have all the trim I want at a regular metre rate. Hmm That may be have to be the route. Ouch.

Ha I thought it was only me who can't think of Bedford CA's without an image accompanied by the sound of a resonating front bumper.!!

I am thinking about the War & Peace show. My little CA van will still be in primer. Does that count as an MV.!

When I joined the Camping and cavaning club & the Caravan Club (long story why I joined them both by mistake) I instantly got loads of Viagra ads . Guess they knew I must be about that age. Anyhow I'm told you can get Viagra eye cream nowadays....... Don't do anything other than making you look hard.!

I'm still amazed how strong this van is. Loads and loads of dents but still strong. Can't imagine the last time it was on the road. It has the old type underseal that trapped moisture; yet I am able to peel the underseal off with metal underneath. I bought it as a welding project and it turns out to be a panel beaters holiday. I am stillvery excited

You're right about the rims. It's just that I have 2 x 16" one 15" and one 13". I need one of those Mexican adjustable hydraulic suspension systems.! Fortunately I managed to pick up a full set of 15" for the time being

In the previous shot you can see the scar in the roof. This has still to be tweaked as the window fram isn't quite in line and I don't really want to be relying on the glass to hold the bodywork straight. And talking of straight..... Look at this side. He's a clever boy my lad but I mustn't tell him. And for those following this thread.... I haven't had to resort to whacking his leg with a sledgehammer....... This week..!

The back corner was heavily dented (in about 1 1/2" and the drivers door and side were an impact match. The drivers door runner cover was actually flat to the bodywork. My neighbours love the sound of panel beating in the morning.!

Progress. My subtle method of welding bolts to the bodywork in order to pull out the dents has been very successful so far. The roof had a big crease in it where something must have fallen against it at some time. The cut down 'Acrow' jack removed 99% of it

Sorry no pics yet. My lad is filling the bodywork so fast it is breathtaking. We have a roof issue that we will be jacking out with our Acrow tomorrow. I'm very bad on sublety

Swimming pool.... I'm only in Elm Park..... I'll be round wiv me speedo's in the morning...

I'm in Hornchurch (Essex) too. We had at least 6" on Saturday night and I had to go up to Stafford on Sunday to collect a load of spares from someone who was over from Ireland. With a shovel and a flask on board I had very clear and successful journeys both ways but did spot a lot of snowmen in the central reservation of the M25 and M1, several abandonded vehicles, a jack-knifed lorry and several cars parked up embankments. Sometimes you have to just cross your fingers and go for it.

Progress on the van has been a little erratic. I have spent a lot of time sourcing parts and doing internet reserch. Last weekend (when it snowed) I went up to Stafford (from Essex) and collected a shed load of CA spares. I am very grateful to Paul who I got them off as his prices were very generous to say the least. I have excellent condition replacement front and rear doors. Particularly handy as I have repaired one front door to the shape of the body (which was bent) also I wont have have to paint over the original serial numbers. I'm still short of 2 16" wheels but I have a full set of 15" which will have to do for now. Unfortunately one of my boys has rather badly damaged a knee and cannot go to work... Fortunately he is a panel beater/sprayer and very bored. In a hour today he did what would have taken me a week to less effect. I'm hoping his knees heals thouroghly over about a month..... Pics to follow.

Had a drive along the M25 today. Didn't spot anything but I have formed a plan and will look during the week. Thanks again

Wow, I'll have a look tomorrow. Many thanks

I wish I had another for spares. That the place I bought it from. He had a lot of old stuff.

I worked out how to post a pic. All I have to do now is find out how to add text. This is My Bedford CA 94RN4? (might be 2 or 7) Vauxhall Heritage confirmed today the build date of 1958. I'm very excited

I probably am stupid but..... Having bought a 1957/8 Bedford CA MK1 as a restoration project I now discover it is an ex Naval runabout. I am aware that the rules of restoration are 1: Don't break anything and 2: Don't throw anything away. Now I can add to that, 3: Don't rub the paintwork down too hard or you can obliterate any previous serial numbers and hence history. So where do I go from here? You are all Army vehicle types, armour plate and armaments with drab green in your veins. Who cares about RN stuff then? My missus was expecting two tone cream and maroon. How can I tell her that Navy blue will look great and that white lettering is historically significant Is there some clandestine group who slink about at classic vehicle shows in a 'Naval Vehicle' area..? I don't think that I have ever seen them. So where do old RN vehicles go if they don't float...? Help

In a way that's good. I thought it was just me as another member had directed me to the pic. Many thanks