daz76

Thanks for the photo FV11301. Looks like we may be building a bigger picture of HFO 990 already. My dad and Malcolm Bowles grew up together so I'll get him to give him a call and find out more.

Cheers Andy! will post some more another time as I'm gonna call it a day until the computer speeds up. Think my broadband has lost weight....:???

As I've now found the photos I thought I'd lost moving house I thought I would start a blog. These are all pre-digital so it will take me a while - bear with me! The first 5 shots were taken in June 1997 when I went to look at the Scammell (BSV 704 'Thor') Chassis No. 8004. Built 1955.

This was in a haulier's yard at Narberth, South Wales.Formerly operated by Octogan Recovery along the M4 I believe, the Scammell had been used for recovery on the road and in a quarry by the haulier and was in a fairly bad way cosmetically. The chassis was very blistered in places and the rear crossmember rotten. None of the tinwork on the cab was salvageable and the rear body was like sponge. The engine had been replaced with an AEC 760 diesel and the vehicle itself had been vandalised. It looks better in the photos than it was in the flesh. A deal was done and I had it trailered back to Cambridgeshire to start work. This blog will cover the twelve years to date, as the restoration has been very slow due to the fact that that the Scammell and my college/work have usually been hundreds of miles apart and therefore work has been done on it only a handful of days each year.

Here goes....

I've just found some pics of a 4x4 Constructor (I think :???) but I'll post them another time.

Well done Daz, I am almost sure that is my old Constructor, although it was a C6 rather than Eagle when I had it. Does he still own it?

That may well be my mistake. I knew it was a Rolls, but was new to this game then! I know I have to head up to his part of the world in June, so I'll try to call in and get the chassis no. and a few pics if he still has it. If I get a chance before, then I'll do it sooner. Cheers. Daz

A couple of pics of 'Herman', Q807 HNG owned at the time and probably still owned by Malcolm Bowles of Southery, Norfolk. Gardner 6LW powered and the reason I am now a Scammell ower! He let me take it for a (slow) spin around his yard aged about 12 and that as they say, was that! I knew this one for a long time and I think it had two rebuilds during it's hard working life.

On the subject of 'missing' Constructors I think I know of another not mentioned here. It was fully restored by an enthusiast and then bought by garage and recovery operator Malcolm Bowles of Southery, near Downham Market Norfolk. It was definitely a Rolls Eagle and painted military green. I think he removed the rear body and fitted a massive yellow extending boom (underlift?). At the time I spoke to him, he was planning to remove the twin rear tyres and fit singles to aid traction in the Fenland mud and reduce the overall width slightly. This was maybe 8-10 yrs ago. I have photos of it somewhere which I'll try to find. He bought it to replace his original Scammell which I think was very early (late 20's/early 30's?) I'm not sure if it was an SV2, but he had owned it many years and done a couple of rebuilds on it. It was called "Herman" and was in white recovery livery. He may even have kept it alongside the Constructor. I know it was much smaller than the Constructor and was a 6x4,powered by a Gardner 6LW. Anyone else know who restored the Constructor and sold it to Mr Bowles?

FINALLY I've found the :argh::argh::argh: photos! Knew theywere here somewhere. This is HFO 990 when new to Malcolm. It's fitted with a Harvey Frost Atlas 12 (which I think was still being finished off). It was bought to replace 'Herman' (Q807 HNG) his much earlier Pioneer who was heading into relaxed retirement after many years stirling service. They are here pictured together. Can anyone shed any more light on them. It was these two which gave me the Scammell bug as a youngster.

Talking Land Rover roofs- I spent ages saving up for an engagement ring for the current Mrs Daz and spent it on a new soft top and sticks and various other bits for the 109 I had at the time. After a regular ear-bending about that I saw a rather tasty 90 and sold the lot about 6 months later to buy it :-D Start off as you mean to go on, that's what I say! still.....we can laugh about it now.......:n00b:

This may be complete nonsense, but I have a very hazy memory that Rover trialled/built a 6 pot oil burner for their cars around this time? don't know if it made it to production....?

Our posts crossed!!:shocked:

Looks Santana-ish to me CW. Can't be sure without my books. It also has a hint of the (110?) bonneted control prototype that is now in the Dunsfold collection doesn't it? That looks like a beefed up LTWT from memory.

Let us know how you get on Thor as mine are shot to bits too. Not a problem at the moment with the through-flow cab, but I'll have to find some at some point. Past Parts are very knowledgable and stock many different things, so they are often my first port of call. Cheers.

Hi Peter, that's a great site you have there!

Welcome to the forum.

I am also looking for advice on how to get the roof corners right - any suggestions and advice would be great?

Hi Thor,

I bent the curved corner sections bit by bit around an old bit of telegraph pole until they were right. Also try these for rubbers-I can't guarantee they can help but worth a try:

Past Parts

Unit 4 Chase Road

Northern Way Industrial Estate

Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk

IP32 6NT

Telephone. +44 (0)1284 750729

Fax. +44 (0)1284 756240

E-mail. restore @ pastparts.co.uk (remove spaces)

Daz.

As Andy says-really good photos Thor. :tup::

If i was you i would fit one in a compleatly random place just like scammell did.:idea: So long as you don't fit one on the drivers front bulkhead, passsenger foot well or drivers side rear of the cab as these positions have been used before so other people would be able to find it easly. Mabey fit it on the roof or under the floor.

 

Rob

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Mine's on the inside of the bulkhead in the passenger footwell. chassis 8004 contract 7443 if it's any help. Daz

Thor- easy to upload video on HMVF TV. Select the link from the homepage adn it's all pretty self explanatory. I think it's the same as uploading photos if I remmember right. Can then be linked to the forum I believe/ Cheers. Nice pics. Thanks for posting

:tup::

Thanks for your replies. It'll make sorting 'em out much easier! :sweat::tup::

Welcome to the forum Grey area. You'll find lots of like minded folk here! Make sure you say hello on the introductions and welcomes thread. Would love to see those photos when you get the time. Incidentally, when was this photo taken? what on earth happened to the Scammell!! Not like you can just hide it behind a bush is it? Anyway, great to have another member. Cheers. Daz :-D

Hopefully this old girl will be have a happy ending ! http://www.maltahistoricvehicles.com/proj_leyland_hippo.htm

Looks like a pretty secure future to me mate. thanks for posting.

That's encouraging news Re: the clutch Rob. Hope it all goes well.

Thanks Grumpy. Useful post. :tup::

Madrat I have to admire you. wishing you all the best for this restoration. Always fancied a Stolly, but until the Explorer's finished I don't think Mrs Daz would hear of it! Good luck mate. Much better than it rotting away or being cut up. :-D

Great Antar photos 6x6. Thanks for posting. I too think they look better-proportioned as Ballast Tractors. A bit 'front heavy' in 5th wheel form. Cheers. Daz