Stormin

That ramp looks like it was designed perfectly to just clear the stowage rack on the Explorers! Does it make use of the full travel in the walking beam or is there some in reserve? The Meadows sounds purposeful pulling away with some load :cool2:

I'd have thought that if they went to the trouble of setting up the auction to pull in some cash that the reserves would have been set significantly below the previous retail prices. Seems it probably wasn't the case. I don't think the fact that the auction items were spread over four different locations (albeit within a 20 mile radius) helped much either. Wonder if there'll be more success (bargains) with the spares auction later in the year or same story again?

Got to be the more modern Leyland Daf for parts and maintainability. You can tilt the cab for a start so access to the engine is far easier. In an MJ it's strip the cab down to remove panels for access or in extremes lift the cab clean off. For parts too the Cummins engined Leyland Daf is far easier to get spares for. The Cummins engine is used in multiple applications worldwide. There's more room in the cab of the Daf's too with three of four seats as opposed to the two of the MJ. Only trouble with the Leyland Daf is it looks just like a lot of ordinary civilian trucks on the road.

A bit of information on Crossley bros http://www.crossley-motors.org.uk/history/origins.html http://www.crossley-motors.org.uk/history/historyindex.html Must be rare to fetch such a price. Can anyone tell me of similar items possibly from other manufacturers setting a precedent for such prices?

An Item I was watching recently on Ebay went for an unbelievable price! Sorry if I've posted this too late for those of you with too much money who may liked to have bid :rotfl:

Crikey I knew the showmans engines were worth a bit but didn't think they were up at those levels. May even have to scratch one off my lottery win purchase list. Wonder how much the late Mr Dibnahs old traction engine will make at Cheffins auction next month?

I know the engine in question but given that it's probably worth in excess of £100,000 in restored condition it's no wonder the effort was put in to restore it after the fire. Although the Scammell 100 tonner is undoubtedly rare would it's final value be enough to persuade anyone it's worth restoring? All speculation I suppose as no-one is yet aware of it's condition or even if it has been damaged how severely.

Good luck. I got my Bedford MJ from Whithams with what I thought was a very low bid. Don't pay any attention to the guide prices. Think you may be surprised as there were quite a few RB44's in this time so the competing bids will no doubt be spread around a bit. Did you bid online? If so the system won't let you bid below the reserve which tends to be around scrap metal value, so a good chance you may win it.

Very much doubt you will find new stuff in imperial size, don't think it's been rolled for a good while. Given that the max size angle I can imagine used on the cab would be about 2 inches would the .8mm difference from metric be noticeable? Only course of action I think if you insist on imperial is the reclaim and scrap yards. I waited over twelve months to source some imperial channel to repair my Ward La France but I don't think you'd have too much trouble finding angle unless it's a very unusual size.

No problem for a Ward La France with six wheel drive and a new torquey diesel engine. On another note, that must be one of the earliest Bedford MJ's I've ever seen. Amazing that it took so long from WWII prototype to early eighties in production. Or is it simply a re-cabbed QL?

There's another user on here (John Riley) known as Antar and I believe he no longer owns one, so don't let that put you off. I think you're perfectly entitled to continue using the name, you deserve it for being both brave and fortunate enough to have owned such a magnificent vehicle. If someone gets knighted only in exceptional circumstances is the title of Sir taken away.

If you don't like it, don't go! Simple!

Remove the bottom drop arm and jack the front of the vehicle up on the bottom of the relay, keep soaking in oil and leave for as long as it takes. A few alternate heating and cooling sessions on it may help. Failing that it may be a cut it out job and replace/repair the front crossmember.

Thanks Paul! I should've looked a bit harder. Looking forward to getting hold of a copy when it's available.

Just wondered if one is going to be produced? Be nice for those of us who can't make it in person to get a feel for how it all looked and went. Sure there would be a good market for some decent coverage of the event. Apologies if this has already been mentioned in another thread.

83 gallons ouch! Thought is was only a few miles up the road and back for you? Good job Jack's sponsoring you :whistle:

Another fine piece of engineering that looks too good to hide away.

Sacrilege!

Forgot to mention that the Ward La France isn't the only truck running the Timken axles. Think Diamond T and Autocars also some Mack models use the same axle, not sure about Diff ratios though.

Doesn't have to be the middle axle as the rear is the same internals, only with a blanking plate on the diff throughput.

Droool! Just one would do me. Are you sure it needs both in the M10?

He may struggle to replate it at 7.5 tonnes as DVLA / VOSA usually insisit on at least two tonnes of usuable cargo capacity left to prove you're not going to overload it at every opportunity. May be different if it's re-registered as a motorcaravan if converted to living accommodation though.

Angled opening windows also allow a bit more room for the patented Land Rover arm out the window driving position too. Both front a rear panes slide which gives better ventilation, although it's not rocket science to modify standard cheapo door tops to do the same.

Think they forgot to undo the engine mounts before lifting. Either that or it's a strong earth strap to the pack, those usually get forgot on and engine lift.

Fantastic to see it finished and a fabulous job you've made of it. I'm nearly as green as the truck, with envy. Quite like the plain look without markings, may go that way with the Ward. It's always easier to change your mind later and add markings than remove them I suppose.