DELYSIA Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 A pleasure to join HMVF! The Highlight of my passion are the WW1 British Mark IV tanks, their war histories and those which have fought at the Battle of Cambrai. My life was change forever when 17 years ago I was able to bring one of them, " DEBORAH D51" back to the daylight. Also I admire all the WW1 vehicles and their lucky and passionnated owners who preserves them and sometimes brings them back to life after hard restauration. Philippe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Hello Philippe Yes, I remember the discovery of this Mk IV. A very exciting time. If you are from Cambrai then you may know this truck. A 1918 British Autocar which was used during the war as a water tanker and following that as a coal delivery lorry in Cambrai up until the 1950's. We restored it as a British Army general service lorry (a great deal more useful than a water tanker) which were used in East Africa during WW1. Am I right in saying that you have a Pierce Arrow truck as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Welcome Philippe! You are man I very much respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcot1751 Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane.c Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_bish Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Welcome on board, must have been great to be involved in that historical moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DELYSIA Posted January 19, 2015 Author Share Posted January 19, 2015 Hi friends, Thank you very much for your welcome and nice words! Hi Great War Truck, Good to be in touch with you! Whaou!!! What's a great lorry that 1918 British Autocar but nothing compared to its rebirth. Superb restoration. I cannot remembered it in Cambrai. If so, I would have make a battle to keep it here! I would be curious to know were it was located. The result is an evidence that he has reached a good home. You are nearly correct regarding the Pierce Arrow. In fact it is not 1 but 2 of them which are here. Both are 5 tons. I think that there are the 2 in France. (Extra to these, I know another one which is a 2 tons. It was sold last summer). There are far to be like I wish but both runs, thank to my good Scottish friend Ian who knows how to speak to such mechanics. The second was bought to be restaure in canibalising the first one. I change my mind because the 2 trucks have good points. Both could be restaured in a great way.I will sell the oldest. (one is 1919 and the other is probably 1917). After they Military carreers they were first used for buildings works and finaly they ended as coal delivery lorries. The oldest comes from the area of Nancy and the other was used after the ww1 in the area of Pont Saint Maxence. Here are the 2 brothers (the oldest is on the right. Unhappilly, its front wheels are not solid tyres): Kindest regards Philippe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 We have the owners name plate showing his business address. I will take a photograph of it. We wrote a letter to him/the family but it was returned - "street not known". You need a radiator? Well I know where there is one (or was one last year): It is in the USA and the owner will probably sell it if the price is right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtskull Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 A pleasure to join HMVF! The Highlight of my passion are the WW1 British Mark IV tanks, their war histories and those which have fought at the Battle of Cambrai. My life was change forever when 17 years ago I was able to bring one of them, " DEBORAH D51" back to the daylight. [ATTACH=CONFIG]100666[/ATTACH] Also I admire all the WW1 vehicles and their lucky and passionnated owners who preserves them and sometimes brings them back to life after hard restauration. Philippe I visited Flesquieres a few years ago and was privileged to be allowed to inspect this tank at close quarters; a memorable experience and a genuine welcome from the local people. Welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DELYSIA Posted January 20, 2015 Author Share Posted January 20, 2015 We have the owners name plate showing his business address. I will take a photograph of it. We wrote a letter to him/the family but it was returned - "street not known". You need a radiator? Well I know where there is one (or was one last year): It is in the USA and the owner will probably sell it if the price is right. Thank you very much for the information. This radiator is a master piece possibly unique. It could solve a serious problem in a restoration project. However, it is not needed on my side. Both trucks got their own in an acceptable condition. I am more interested to find a pair of wooden wheels and solid tyres to replace the front modern wheels of the old truck. Alternatively, it could help the next owner! All the best Philippe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Quisk question please. Is Deborah open to visitors? I hope to get over for a day in June with a friend from New Zealand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tank Museum Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 For Great War Truck. Would you be able to get in touch with The Tank Museum on marketing@tankmuseum.org Our Curator has a couple of questions for you, but unfortunately your private inbox on HMVF seems to be full. Sorry to interrupt the thread. All the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DELYSIA Posted January 20, 2015 Author Share Posted January 20, 2015 Quisk question please. Is Deborah open to visitors? I hope to get over for a day in June with a friend from New Zealand. Hi Tony, Quick answer: It is possible only on appointment and if I am available. If so, I will be delighted to welcome you and look forward to meet you there. http://www.tank-cambrai.com All the best Philippe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 I thought I recognised your Pierce Arrow. Here it is on pneumatics about 10 years ago in Belgium if I remember correctly. It was said to have been in a movie but i never found out which one it was This must be the smaller Pierce Arrow which you referred to. Who bought it? It does look rather nice: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DELYSIA Posted January 20, 2015 Author Share Posted January 20, 2015 I thought I recognised your Pierce Arrow. Here it is on pneumatics about 10 years ago in Belgium if I remember correctly. It was said to have been in a movie but i never found out which one it was This must be the smaller Pierce Arrow which you referred to. Who bought it? It does look rather nice: Well spotted!! The top picture was taken in La Louviere in Belgium. This lorry was bought in France by a Belgium collector. This is where I found it few years ago. Now it is back to France. (It is the one I will kept). The previous owner has a lot of staf and he was used to rent equipment for movies. This truck never became a movie star. I cannot tell you in which film it was involved. I only know that it was not an easy matter to start it. The engine was a bit of a tiger! Now my Scottish friend Ian Douglas changed it into a cat! The second picture shows the only 2 tons I know in France. The previous owner was an hotelier. It was nicely restored and the price was high. No idea who is now the new happy owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 When it was up for sale in Belgium it was for a lot of money I thought 25,000E I think. A friend went to have a look at it but didn't think it worth the price. You are probably familiar with this super Pierce Arrow? Ideally, this is what you want to find. Sadly the wheels have since collapsed. Surprisingly the chassis is in very good condition considering how long it had been outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Did you see this one on E bay: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 This one was also on E Bay. Didn't sell at not much money: Made with data plates in French and English, but unlikely to have made it outside the USA: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Here is the name plate from the Autocar. Mr Fernand Charlet. We wrote to him but the letter came back "address not known". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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