PITT24423

Friend of mine has unearthed some fantastic memorabilia of his Grandfather who was a dispatch rider .Not sure what make the bike is but along with the photo were his original issue WW1 maps of France/Belgium in fabulous condition.

Just had some info sent to me from the States which has cemented my plan to use it for this project . Continental C4 36hp suitable for trucks upto 3 1/2 tons bore 4 1/8" (which we knew from the plate ) stroke 5 1/4" with a choice of pistons 5" or 5 1/4" long no indication why

I think I should of asked in my post “ does anyone have the spec details for this engine “ Guessing that the model is a C4 and because of the patent dates post 1918 and not sure how the date stamp relates being 4 1/8 as I think this could relate to the bore. . This engine could prove to be to small for this project but nether the less it’s had a charmed life and will get used in something and the paint appears to be original.

Finally collected the post 1918 Continental engine which I bought in the summer after being given the heads up about it being advertised on EBAY by a rather marvellous chap from this forum. This engine had survived by being in a dry shed on a generator with the only item missing being the American Bosch mag which is relatively common and easy to find. I’m not sure what HP it is yet and hopefully close to the original as the engine mounts are the same centres as the ones on the chassis. Haven’t been able to check the bell housing ones yet as the truck is buried at the moment

A lot of truck for the money Hammer price £5300 c1920s Leyland c3tonne 4cylinder petrol chassis cab Serial No. 36854 Fitted with Leyland E30hp engine, an interesting restoration project. Please note the tank shown in picture is not included Vintage results - October 2021 | Machinery and Vintage Auct (cheffins.co.uk)

My copies arrived the Wednesday great content particuly liked the vehicle recovery section with lorries going through bridges and off edges ............. Think we need a Vol 2 for the British lorries Tim now the bar has been raised 🤣

True ,plus they have a correct front axle and wheels to replace the pneumatics

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26811/lot/466/?category=list&length=483&page=1

As there was no Dorset SteamFair this year for a second year my son and I decided to drive the lorry from Mersea to the Swanage railway event at Corfe Castle using as many back roads as possible being part of the challenge.The total distance traveled was 450 odd miles there and back. The drive down we split over two days with an overnight stop near Winchester due to getting held up in London which was snarled up with the Extinction Rebellion bunch.With the return journey in one hit which we managed with relative ease but a long day. The chain ferry from Sandbanks to Swanage was on our to do list the only cruel part being some nasty hills on the way especially in Bournemouth coming away up from the pier which was a bottom gear crawl. My daughter luckily had a site meeting near Tower Bridge and a combination of will and “find my friends “ a passing wave was achieved. IMG_5743.MOV IMG_5814.MP4

Couple more pics of the signage this time inside the bus .These are repeated along each side downstairs.

Another small step as with the lorry the petrol tank we have made to fit half the space under the seat leaving us storage space for tools and spares.The ally tank was just tacked together by Matt for a trial fit along with its Royal Enfield filler cap.

Pattern i bought second hand from a guy who had restored a Daimler a number of years ago .On the whole the pattern was good but had to be repaired where it had cracked from being in a damp enviorment and dried out plus one of the core pattens was missing which had to be remade which in total probably added another man day to the job. The top and bottom tube plates are the only original items and with hind sight if i did another one i`d make new ones as the rad guys had issues soldering it up even though we had blasted them. We think there must of been some corrosion still lerking within the heavy pitting even though it looked clean making the solder reluctant to flow .Plus i`d bling it up like a Thornycroft and use brass !!!! Daimler text is highlighted with gloss black all within the loop with all the ally being polished. Bottom tank nearly there but work keeps interupting as it has become Basils fill in project with just the outlets to add.

Nothing as exciting as Tomo’s but I can add a full side shot for his admirers The rad top came out of the foundry today which well timed as the core was ready to be collected which I did this afternoon and offered the whole assembly up for a looksee this evening as it will be nice to start to give the bus its face . New rad header casting offered up against the lorry to double check dims to which it’s clearly visible there’s another pattern out there somewhere as the lorry rad I was lucky in that I bought it with some Daimler parts and chassis from a stagnant restoration project.Soon became a game of spot the difference,we got up to seven variations on the lettering. Personally I prefer think both are probably correct as we know some of the other original castings have minor variations which are unnoticeable until you place them next to each other.

Here`s a copy of the original Commercial Motor artical which RP has also dug out of his achive . As to the "ill fated " could it of been a photo of a Pals brigade as i can`t spot any women but a couple of them appear too old perhaps with the photo perhaps being taken in happier times but they don`t look that happy and who were "The Blackheath Hill City Sons",was Kathleen the name of the bus..... who knows ?

Well how about this for a bit of luck ! A massive thanks to RP for digging these priceless photos out for me . The first photo C1910 with the body mounted on the probably new Commer and the second photo showing the same body mounted on the very same Chase we have at ours today.....unbelivable 🤩

A few shots of Tomo’s effort's today as phase one comes to a close . I think the photos speak for themselves as I can’t praise Tomo enough for his work plus it’s been a good excuse to have a beer each evening to discuss the finer points including “never show a rivet a full brush”

This is the ID tag on the back axle,no mention of manufacturers unless it’s incorporated in the design by way of the mirrored pointers with the circle .

No , hopefully a Continental or something period will turn up by the time we get round to it . For the time being we will stabilise and treat everything whilst it awaits its turn and decide exactly what body it will end with.

This one hasn`t been hiding really , probably just forgotten as it was originally saved by Michael Banfield and sold quite a while before the auction of auctions .

Brilliant, I did have a quick “Google” but didn’t turn this up thanks.

Believed to be a sole surviving American 1915 Chase truck RHD thought to of been supplied through a dealer in Putney where it was fitted with a second hand bus body from a Commer which was presumably requisitioned for the war effort.

Sizing being expertly applied by Tomo ( breathing in ) ready for the gold leaf tomorrow, can’t wait .

Our very own “Tomo” is now waving his magic over the bus and is now gaining its identity plus some additional bonus for good measure .

Just came across my original notes from the man that knows at Morris Lubricants; AG250 = 800-900W crash box oil ,but i usally try the AG140 first , if it is difficult to select gear once warm i change the oil to this one .It didn`t make much differance on my Daimler lorry as it was still a fine art to get second gear when its cold but after about four miles it gets easier. AG140 = 500W this is what i prefer for the diff as i like the idea of it being thrown around inside and flowing through the bearings and not being too thick. K4000 or the thicker K400 is a semi liquid grease which i`ve used in the steering boxes

Our choice of oil is Morris AG 140 or 250 oil for our axles and gearboxes . One of the problems I’ve been told about with early oils (Daimler recommended best quality steam oil ) is cavities forming on the pressure points of the teeth as the oil gets squeezed between the teeth causing cavities in the bronze teeth.Modern oils are designed to avoid this problem but time will tell.