Philliphastings Posted October 22, 2020 Posted October 22, 2020 (edited) I recently discovered several fascinating wrecks at the base of a cliff including the truck in the following pics which appears to be a Karrier. I would appreciate any assistance regarding a firm ID and where to find chassis numbers, model and dating etc. Most of the cast parts have KARR embossed in them. I have begun carrying small parts back up the clff via backpack - a very difficult task indeed ! As for the chassis and torque tube - I have no idea how to recover them on foot and they will probably remain down there unfortunately... Cheers Phill Edited October 22, 2020 by Philliphastings Spelling Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 22, 2020 Author Posted October 22, 2020 More pics, I have begun saving smaller parts. if there was any real way to recover the chassis frame and heavy parts I would certainly save them Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 22, 2020 Author Posted October 22, 2020 Last lot of pics for now. Will be trekking there again soon for more pics and carry more parts up the cliffs... 3 Quote
jpsmit Posted October 22, 2020 Posted October 22, 2020 Interesting find! Is there a college or training school nearby - helicopter/ recovery/ military who might want a training exercise? Even a group of motivated scouts? 1 Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 22, 2020 Author Posted October 22, 2020 It's not far from the RAAF Airbase at Richmond NSW, but in the short term I'm going to see how far I get backpacking a Tirfor hand winch in cheers Phill 1 Quote
David Herbert Posted October 22, 2020 Posted October 22, 2020 You really know how to make life hard for yourself don't you ! I suppose it will keep you fit though. Had these wrecks been tipped over the cliff as a way to dispose of them ? If so I would assume a lot of broken castings and mangled chassis rails. I can't help thinking of Laurel and Hardy wrecking all those classic pre-war cars by pushing them over cliffs. David Quote
Zuffen Posted October 22, 2020 Posted October 22, 2020 If you mount a recovery effort put me down as labour. I live in northern Sydney so quite close. I also have a Tirfor. Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 23, 2020 Author Posted October 23, 2020 I recovered most of the loose smaller parts today including casting fragments, one of two fuel tank saddles, steering column support bracket, steering drag link and brake rod assembly. Just as I was packing up I spotted a brass grease/oil cup fitting in the dirt ! 2 Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 23, 2020 Author Posted October 23, 2020 I guess there can be not doubt regarding the make of this vehicle. Despite smashing the radiator and surround out, previous looters were kind enough to leave the maker’s plate in the dirt for me to find... 3 Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 23, 2020 Author Posted October 23, 2020 Sadly there is not a single part of the chassis frame that hasn’t been bent, cracked, twisted or even rusted through ! 1 Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 23, 2020 Author Posted October 23, 2020 There are two neat machined channels one either side of the engine bay... 1 Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 23, 2020 Author Posted October 23, 2020 And finally, for today, I checked the torque tube for a brass data plate but it was missing. On my next expedition I plan to take my metal detector and a small rake. Cheers Phill 4 Quote
Doc Posted October 23, 2020 Posted October 23, 2020 Hi Phill, What an interesting find. Timely to share this was waiting for me in the mail: Best of luck with your recovery. Andy Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 24, 2020 Author Posted October 24, 2020 Hello Andy Well that is quite a coincidence ! I'm secretly hoping to find the plate with a metal detector - you never know. meanwhile I have been spending hours pouring over your fascinating restoration blog. It is proving to be very helpful identifying parts, even though this truck appears to be a different model to yours. kind regards phill Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 24, 2020 Author Posted October 24, 2020 On the dash panel (soon to be recovered) was this screwed on brass plate with On and Off markings etched into it. I’m guessing this was for the magneto switch ? Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 24, 2020 Author Posted October 24, 2020 The hand brake pawl handle was brass and has been looted a long time ago. I will be recovering the hand brake mechanism and cross shaft very soon cheers phill Quote
Rootes75 Posted October 24, 2020 Posted October 24, 2020 Keep it coming Phill, this is like lucky dip to see whats survived. When you have it all back to your place will you take a picture of it all laid out together? Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 24, 2020 Author Posted October 24, 2020 (edited) That's not a bad idea and I was thinkng of laying it all out to photograph eventually. It will take some time of course. The metal detector should turn up some interesting trinkets next visit. Apart from the mangled chassis frame, the torque tube and the massive torque tube cross member I think I can dismantle most everything else and manhandle it back to civilization over time. I'm knd of hoping the engine cylinders mght turn up buried at some point too.... cheers phill Edited October 24, 2020 by Philliphastings 3 Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 26, 2020 Author Posted October 26, 2020 Another day of discoveries and recoveries ! First up, I found part of the radiator header tank with Karrier cast into it... Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 26, 2020 Author Posted October 26, 2020 (edited) Then I found a lot more of the transmission case including a corner of the top cover with the other part of the Karrier name cast into it. I then loaded up my backpack with lots of small parts as well as the other fuel tank saddle bracket, floorboard to dash bracket with accelerator pedal assembly attached, the brake pedal assembly and both side lamp mounting brackets. I ran out of daylight to get that all photographed but will catch up all in good time. Edited October 26, 2020 by Philliphastings Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 26, 2020 Author Posted October 26, 2020 (edited) And finally, THE find of the day... It’s in the attached pic, no wonder I missed it last time... Can you make it out...? Edited October 26, 2020 by Philliphastings Quote
Philliphastings Posted October 26, 2020 Author Posted October 26, 2020 No it’s not this ‘Green Grocer’ Cicada I spotted nearby,... 1 Quote
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