D-shackle Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) Hi Everyone, My names Ryan. I'm new here, just put up an introduction post listing my other military vehicles and a bit about myself. Ive recently purchased a 1943 Standard UV Series Tilly, that's a bit worse for wear. I plan on giving the old girl a full restoration. From the limited information I can find it seems these vehicles aren't exactly common. So I'm chasing any information I can get, also like minded people who may either now or in the past have owned a Tilly, people that are knowledgable about them or a pointer in the right direction. I'm also chasing any parts I can find and if anyone could give me an indication of how hard parts are going to be to find. Basically any help or discussion at all in relation to the Standard Tilly would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance... Edited January 14, 2015 by D-shackle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoranWC51 Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 You should get in touch with those here on HMVF that have restored and/or own a Tilly. I did a search and came up with this thread, for example: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?13054-Austin-10-ligth-utility-quot-tilly-quot&highlight=austin+tilly The Tilly's a great little vehicle and a hoot to own and run, I've heard. Good luck with your resto. And by the way: we LOVE photos of ongoing restorations here =) Goran N Here's the Tilly in the thread above in "as found" condition =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Isaac Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 We`re working on a Standard Tilly at the moment. My mother bought it from a builder around 20 years ago and never used it, it has a civvy roof but otherwise pretty much complete.. an un-restored runner. Dad is now getting it on the road again for this season and after 20 odd years finding many more problems than anticipated! How much do you have, any photo`s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian L Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Hi Everyone, My names Ryan. I'm new here, just put up an introduction post listing my other military vehicles and a bit about myself. Ive recently purchased a 1943 Standard UV Series Tilly, that's a bit worse for wear. I plan on giving the old girl a full restoration. From the limited information I can find it seems these vehicles aren't exactly common. So I'm chasing any information I can get, also like minded people who may either now or in the past have owned a Tilly, people that are knowledgable about them or a pointer in the right direction. I'm also chasing any parts I can find and if anyone could give me an indication of how hard parts are going to be to find. Basically any help or discussion at all in relation to the Standard Tilly would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance... Hi Ryan I have 2 UV series Tillys waiting their turn & a stack of spares, Where are you ? PM me your number. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-shackle Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) Thanks Guys. Ian I've sent you a PM as I'm in Australia talking by phone might be difficult but I can give you an email address. Great to hear there is a couple of fellow Tilly owners on here. I'm in Australia which I already know is going to make the restoration that little bit harder especially finding and having spares posted and shipped here. My Tilly is very rough and unfortunately has had the rear tub converted to a flat bed at some stage in it's life. Mechanically it's all there and from the front end to the windscreen it looks to be all there body and trim wise as well. It is missing the seats and doors after that. Big project I know. I'm confident with the mechanical side of things and should be able to rebuild it all and get it running and driving no problems at all. I'm also confident with the body work ect, well the stuff I do have. My main concern is fabricating the rear tub completely from the ground up or finding a few parts to rebuild the tub around will it be possible to find these parts even just some of them? Or maybe a fairly complete tub? I'm fairly confident I could fabricate the doors if it isn't possible to find any? Another main concern is that I will have to find the dash instrument gauges? I will obviously be sourcing parts from the UK and around Europe and having them shipped here. I've also read on one site that not many of the Standard Tilly's still exist with one website giving a number of around 25 still left out of an original production figure of 3000. I've got no idea how factual this information is but maybe someone here does? Any help with any of this and your thoughts and opinions on things would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Edited January 15, 2015 by D-shackle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goanna Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Thanks Guys. Ian I've sent you a PM as I'm in Australia talking by phone might be difficult but I can give you an email address. Great to hear there is a couple of fellow Tilly owners on here. I'm in Australia which I already know is going to make the restoration that little bit harder especially finding and having spares posted and shipped here. My Tilly is very rough and unfortunately has had the rear tub converted to a flat bed at some stage in it's life. Mechanically it's all there and from the front end to the windscreen it looks to be all there body and trim wise as well. It is missing the seats and doors after that. Big project I know. I'm confident with the mechanical side of things and should be able to rebuild it all and get it running and driving no problems at all. I'm also confident with the body work ect, well the stuff I do have. My main concern is fabricating the rear tub completely from the ground up or finding a few parts to rebuild the tub around will it be possible to find these parts even just some of them? Or maybe a fairly complete tub? I'm fairly confident I could fabricate the doors if it isn't possible to find any? Another main concern is that I will have to find the dash instrument gauges? I will obviously be sourcing parts from the UK and around Europe and having them shipped here. I've also read on one site that not many of the Standard Tilly's still exist with one website giving a number of around 25 still left out of an original production figure of 3000. I've got no idea how factual this information is but maybe someone here does? Any help with any of this and your thoughts and opinions on things would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Hi Ryan I just sent you a PM. There are a few restored Standard tillies in Australia . You should be able to arrange a visit with a owner and take measurements for your body rebuild . The Australian Standard register website did have details of the tillies surviving here , but I think the site is no longer around Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Hi Ryan. Mine's an Austin......."Common as muck"..... You'll find lots of information and parts sources through the Tilly Register. Definitely worth joining. Ron http://www.tillyregister.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-shackle Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 That's a beauty Ron. I hope to get there with the standard eventually. I've emailed the Tilly register and will get that all sorted ASAP. At the moment I'm trying to find out the tyre and rim specifications for the UV standard Tilly, so I can at least get it rolling and up on the trailer. If anyone has any idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Tyres were 6.00x16 either road pattern or cross country pattern fitted on 4.00x16 rims, sorry I don't know any other details but I'm sure the Tilly Register will be able to help you further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian L Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 (edited) Tyres were 6.00x16 either road pattern or cross country pattern fitted on 4.00x16 rims, sorry I don't know any other details but I'm sure the Tilly Register will be able to help you further. I've fitted Goodyear Hi-Miler & Avon Traction's to the rear of mine and they look period ish. But on the front I found you have to fit original style tyres as the diameter of modern 6.00 X 16 like Camac etc are too big and catch the front lip of the wing when turning. And here's a couple of photos for you to get you started :drive: Edited January 17, 2015 by Ian L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fayjo56 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 VERY nice Ian, come on get your finger out and get 'em done:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_bish Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 they look lovely, look to be a nice solid base for a restoration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goanna Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Brakes..or lack of can be a concern with these cars . Cable operated brakes are a bit of a worry Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I used 600x16 town and country tyres on my Austin, as fitted to early Landrovers. The pattern is very similar to the original tyres. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-shackle Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 Thanks a lot guys. I was hoping the rims on another vehicle of the age would be similar so I could take them down swap them over and put it on the trailer. It's in a very remote area and as Mike (Goanna) would know remote in Australia means 4 hours to the nearest town or 400km. I'll just have to go down with new tyres and fit them to rims on site. No issue. Ian your vehicles look really good. You've got a much more straight forward project ahead of you than me. I'm trying to gauge how hard sourcing parts is going be after confirming only 28 Standard Tilly's are known to be floating around. I want it to be 100% factory original. But depending how complicated the rear tub and finding parts for it might be. This may not be possible. It might get a temporary mod tray as a last resort well until something maybe one day pops ups. I'm just putting it all together. Any advice or opinions on this guys would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Well Willys Jeeps have the same size tyre. So some second hand 600x16 bar treads will get you going. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian L Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Ian your vehicles look really good. You've got a much more straight forward project ahead of you than me. I'm trying to gauge how hard sourcing parts is going be after confirming only 28 Standard Tilly's are known to be floating around. I want it to be 100% factory original. But depending how complicated the rear tub and finding parts for it might be. This may not be possible. It might get a temporary mod tray as a last resort well until something maybe one day pops ups. I'm just putting it all together. I would of said that making the rear body is the easiest part of the whole restoration with all its flat panels unlike the Austin, but until we see photos of what your starting with its difficult to know what your up against. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goanna Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 (edited) Some history . At about the time the war ended the Standard company here in Melbourne ( not owned by the UK company but assembled its products ) imported a batch of the tillies and these were sold through their dealerships to civilians . As far as we know, the military here never used the UV tillies . We think it was 80 to around 100 but not sure of the actual number . To get back on their feet, Standards also assembled war surplus Dodge trucks T110L models and sold them . I do have a magazine article written by the Australian Standard historian Brian Rawson . From memory they began in the 1920's, assembling Talbot cars . A VMVC club member here , restored his dads UV tilly back in the late 1970's. His dad had purchased it just after the war .It appeared at rallies often, but I haven't seen it for many years . Another club member had two of them but these have also disappeared. A guy in Sydney had one too . Mike Edited January 18, 2015 by goanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfy Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 The Tilly Club already mentioned by Ron are a friendly bunch and can assist in putting you in touch with other owners and photos of restorations etc. Carleton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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