John Comber Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 (edited) Hello, i have been asked by a few members to post some info and pictures of my current project,which i hope is of interest to a few? GMC 352 rag top, yet to establish the year, log book shows 1939 but that cant be correct from my initial review of data on the model. Was restored it would seem quite well over 20 years ago, parked up in my mates yard by a third party circa 12 years ago and forgoten!! Luckily the front end had been sheeted well and the cab is in good order, kids had got to the canvas and over the years other items have been nicked that could be easily taken off inc the spare wheels. over the last six weeks we have when time allows stripped it down to as you can see to assess how far it needs refreshing as i do not see this as a full restoration job. Awaiting a few more ancillary items to see if she will spark into life.....soon. More to follow as time allows Edited April 3, 2013 by John Comber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locolines Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Well done for saving the old war horse. Good luck with the restoration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willyslancs Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 pics always welcome mate, keep em coming !:tup:: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 John, the 1939 date stems from before the late 1980s when the testing exemption was pre 1940, there seemed to be a lot of 1939 dated lorries then..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kew Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Hi John, tried to buy/trace owner 2 years back when truck was sitting in h/heath good to see being refreshed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_bish Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 looks like the cab survived the outdoor storage really well, less so the bucket hanging off the back... Nice truck, I am guessing with the red on the bumper it was French firetruck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Comber Posted April 26, 2013 Author Share Posted April 26, 2013 Here are some recent photos of progress, brakes all overhauled , engine runs, will fill with coolant this weekend and let her get warm for a good test.Sand blaster has cleaned off loose panels and the full chassis/wheels/rear body, we are now repairing the rear body where the sandblaster exposed problems!! Painting of panels with a first coat started, still a fair bit to do, not enough hours to work, enjoy a hobby and keep a happy family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 (edited) Hi John I'm pretty sure (although not 100% sure) that I last saw this truck in 1990 at War on the Line show at Ropley Station, near Winchester, Hants. I took a particular interest in it because at the time we were restoring an identical example and took some photos (somewhere!) The name of the owner I think (I have a dreadful memory), was maybe 'Phil Atfield?' from Emsworth in Hampshire? It would figure if it were the same truck as, you are roughly in the same neck of the woods and I have never seen that truck that I saw in 1990 on the show circuit since and having had a number of GMC's over the years, I do keep a fairly keen eye out for the various ones on the show circuits. Whatever the past history, its great to see another CCKW 352 coming back to life again - Keep up the good work! A great result to see that it has a nice wooden wheel. I would speculate (although others on here will tell you exactly) that the date of manufacture is prob 1941/42, as it has the timken Split type axles and is short wheel base. The cab of course could easily have been swapped over the years from what it originally left the factory with, who-knows! Whatever, it is great to see another CCKW being saved from the rust pile Edited April 27, 2013 by M5Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Comber Posted May 25, 2013 Author Share Posted May 25, 2013 Thanks M5Clive for your interest, perhaps you are correct in the history, I am afraid the log book I have does not show any details beyond the last owner, however I will ask when I remember! Here are some more photo's of progress on the job, have been burning the midnight and early morning lamp to push on, nearly there!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 Hi John, like Clive I too have a soft spot for GMC's. I used to own a 'split' axle 352 which Clive will remember and that was built in late December 1943. If you go to the CCKW forum all the information regarding contracts and build dates is listed there as well as much other information. Please keep the photos coming, you are doing an excellent job and she will be a credit to you. If there is anything I can help you with don't hesitate to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Comber Posted June 23, 2013 Author Share Posted June 23, 2013 So here is the final part of the refresh for me, i had been fairly full on with the job since January and as everyone knows the time frame you set in mind just falls into insignificance not to mention the budget:shocked: We always had the completion as set to be before the last bank holiday in May as a good friend of mine required it for the film The Monuments Men, just to say the paint was only just dry, and over the three day weekend some good friends rallied round and we put in 40 hours to finish it off, including my kids expertly installing the canvas. Midnight came on bank holiday Monday and the shed lights went out, lowloader came Tuesday at 0930, so its road test was a mere three quarter mile drive to Adrian's to be loaded with an M8. Luckily all went fine with only a minor hitch of an intermittent failing coil which thanks to Hummermark and his filmset tool kit we changed. Currently trying to finish the Rubery Owen trailer, and squeeze a 16' touring caravan inside, again much more work than I thought! then onto another project, however some family time first:wave: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Nice. Looking forward to the film Monuments Men - should be good watching given the cast. Care to reveal the make and shade of paint you used, John? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raeme 21 Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Bloody BEAUTIFUL. Belle of the ball. raeme21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Comber Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 Nice. Looking forward to the film Monuments Men - should be good watching given the cast. Care to reveal the make and shade of paint you used, John? N.O.S pm sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locolines Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Well done mate, that's gorgeous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Ashby Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Very nice, good to see it back on the road................I could almost be tempted again Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Well done....good to see another oldy on the road again. Cheers, Louis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGGY Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Hi John, Very nice looking truck. I have just bought a 353 which also needs a freshen up. Could I also enquire as to what make/shade/supplier of paint you used? Many Thanks, Leggy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulture Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Hi John Fabulous looking job on the truck ! I want that steering wheel !! LOL I hope you don't mind, I've taken the liberty of adding your truck to my CCKW Photo Blog - Truck No 362 Kind regards Vulture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Comber Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share Posted July 4, 2013 Many thanks for the positive comments, most encouraging. Vulture your most welcome to put it in the photo blog. Leggy PM sent on paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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