Charawacky Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Can anyone help with information on a Crossley Tender owned by JH Sparshatt & Sons They certainly campaigned it on the London to Brighton in 1966, entry no 43 I am particularly interested in it's history up to and including Sparshatt ownership and who from this company may still be around to advise. Please find below some pictures showing the tender today. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 I am particularly interested in it's history up to and including Sparshatt ownership and who from this company may still be around to advise. Tom, Jack Sparshatt's company had a depot opposite where I worked in the early Seventies and I once saw a WW1 AEC drive out of there. They were Leyland, AEC main dealers. I think the company was taken over, but one of the family has dealerships in Kent with several depots, still called Sparshatts, might be worth contacting them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meldrew Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Tom, It looks particularly fine in the daylight ! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Was this the one that is now in Kent? Oh hang on, no snow in the photos so it cant be. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rlangham Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Looks brilliant - I got 'Wings' on DVD for christmas and there's a lot of Crossley Tender action with one, possibly two featured - bodywork looks very similar to this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintary Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 abslutely fabulous looking vehicle she's a beauty, when i invent my time machine im going back to hide one of these beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 So as the other one is just about finished, have you bought this one to keep it company? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rlangham Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Started watching the RFC drama 'Wings' again a couple of days back and aside from the metal hoops rising above the rear body, the one used is identical to this one. Is the body original or a post-war mod? The only one's i've seen in photographs show the body like the one at Hendon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I think this one is all original. I bought "Wings" for Steve for Christmas. He has not reported back on it yet. I remember watching the TV series first time round. Then spent years looking for it on Video. Very suprised to just stumble over it just before Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charawacky Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 I had the intention of building up a tender having purchased a gearbox and being offered a chassis, an engine, axles and new radiator. However before committing to this expenditure and long term project I decided to do some research including being allowed to inspect what is considered to be the most original tender in existence which had not been seen out for a decade. When I visited to photograph I was informed it was for sale! As with these things one thing leads to another and I now have the tender in my possession. On closer inspection after I got it home, I find the Tender has had very little use and the more I inspect it the better it gets, this is not always the case with new purchases! The staff car is currently away being rewired and I have this weekend borrowed to copy the Crossley castings for mounting the correct starter motor which I also duplicate for the Tender. This will make the Tender more readily usable and so will get used and seen more. Parts are shown below with Rotax starter motors and a picture looking back from the flywheel on a 1919 25/30 the motor is mounted underneath. I am looking for a Rotax Starter with large pinion as the one on the left or a pinion assy to convert the right hand motor. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevpol Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 very nice!!! (am not really jealous!!!!!) will look stunning next to your staff car, with possibly a SE5A as a backdrop! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charawacky Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 (edited) Thank you for all the positive comments which makes me feel justified in this acquisition and my intent to get it out and about. A SE5A might a stretch too far; I don't think I would get it past the wife. Have a look at these you tube clips I have put together (3 parts): Regards Tom Edited February 14, 2010 by Charawacky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintary Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 very entertaining videos thanks for posting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 A fabulous purchase. Certainly worth the money you had to pay for it (tell the wife i said so). I am really pleased that it has gone to a good home and look forward to seeing it some time. Brilliant stuff. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I reckon that is just about as good as it gets in this hobby, it is sooo stylish, what a stroke of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 So what has happened to the other chassis? Is it still available for sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charawacky Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 Tim The option was to collect parts from here and there but the condition of some of the most important parts was very poor, they will still be for sale but should only be considered by the very brave or a fanatic! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwrco Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Tom, ....just a suggestion, if you have the bare bones for another crossley tender, why not get a replica body made up, and join the two parts so you'll have two tenders & a staff car! tim w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Hey Tom, there could be a photo session arranged with RFC, at least a good replica. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charawacky Posted March 7, 2010 Author Share Posted March 7, 2010 (edited) Photo Session sounds good, Tender found to be running on 3 due to sticking valve on no 2 cylinder, now running on 4, everything on the tender has little wear but requires to be stripped freed off or resealed. Tappets still to be set so very noisy! but running very cleanly. See Youtube video: Edited March 7, 2010 by Charawacky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 OH come on! At her age she's entitiled to be a little bit crotchy and arthritic in the maornigs! Boy that does look good, I'm genuinlley green with envy! :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 Now doesnt that look loveley. Amazing turn of speed when compared to the plodding pace of ours. Mind you, in that first clip of film it looks like you are going down a one in four hill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 And she comes right back up that same hill it in fine shape /full chat as well ! no slouch . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 Mind you, in that first clip of film it looks like you are going down a one in four hill! In the parlance of the period, this would have been called "Negotiating a declivity"...:-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charawacky Posted March 8, 2010 Author Share Posted March 8, 2010 Thanks for the comments its nice to know the filming is appreciated as my 12 year old son risked taking the film (risking his life in the process :nut:) or did my other son really take a bigger risk by traveling with me? Here is an interesting picture from the Hodge Collection (permission given for none profit use) Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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