HWade Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Heres a new blog on a new restoration project. The GMC 353 started out as a Foam Tender truck which I acquired from a local airfield. It was purchased mainly for the Cab which I used on a different project which is now just about complete.Rather than break the rest of the truck for parts, its now going to resort back to a closed cab Shop van. The closed cab has been sourced and so has the shopvan body.The plan is to convert the shopvan into a camper.The shopvan body is empty so its an ideal candidate for a bespoke build to how its required. The entire shopvan body will also need to be reskinned. Today I set to work with a friend of mine and we stripped of the entire foam tender body, this came away in five different sections, the heaviest part being the built in foam tank.We started at about 8am and finished at 4pm. I am now left with a chassis with engine, wings and grill, brake pipes old wiring to remove. Once all of this is out, it will go into the blasting bay.There was no rear cross member on the truck but I have also managed to get hold of one of these as well as the braces and the spring for the pintle hook.I also have the correct bumperettes for the rear of the truck these have wooden block extentions on them due to the length of the shopvan body.Heres a few pics to be going on with. Enjoy Howard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chev41 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Well done Howard glad your not breaking her now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWade Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Hi M yes at least it will be another GMC saved, should look very nice with the closed cab and shopvan body, I hope to have the rest of the tin work and engine and gearbox out next week.I Will keep you all informed with plenty of pics. Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWade Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 Just a bit of an up date on the restoration, the rest of the tin work was removed today, along with the radiator, and the engine and gearbox, have also started to remove the brake pipes and fuel lines in preparation for grit blasting and priming.Heres a few more pics for all of you to enjoy.Howard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry275 Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Howard, Interesting project- look forward to watching it progress. All the best Gerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Great pics Howard and good progress. Are you sure you haven't 'cut and pasted' Tony into that picture? He looks shorter than the Jimmy radiator...........! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.Watts Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 So far in the pictures i have noticed, set of gas bottles, adjustable spanner and a big hammer! looks a proper job to me! :thumbsup: keep up the good work Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWade Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share Posted February 25, 2012 Hello Tom , thanks for that, hows that Fowler Crawler coming on, I will have to drop over and take a look, what about the jimmy is it all ready for this season. Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.Watts Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Howard Fowler is going well, going to take it up to woolpit steam in may along with the jimmy hopefully, will just mess up your thread and put a pic of the fowler on to show you!!:-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWade Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 Hello Tom, dont worry about that pic its a nice looking bit of kit, it will be nice to see it at woolpit. Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Another restoration? Blimey, all these restorations seems like a full time job to be!! Keep us updated, but I know you will. :tup:: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWade Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 Hello Joris, yep this one will be up for grabs, as and when its completed. As I am starting with an empty shell the shop van body can be bespoke built to the buyers requirements.Would make a real nice camper for the shows. Cheers Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 A mate of mine has a converted toolset, it's the best of both worlds! Unfortunately you need a HGV licence to drive these beasts and since I've never been in the military I do not have that (and it's expensive!!). Most dutchmen who do not drive a HGV for a living but have a licence for it anyway acquired it during their mandatory service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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