Great War truck Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 As most of you will already know we have acquired another vehicle from the Great War. This is a Crossley Tender from 1916 which was built for the Royal Flying Corps. We were not planning on buying any more restoration projects but as our friend Adrian said – if you want a Crossley Tender this will be your only chance. Well we have always wanted one, but with only about nine survivors world wide they don’t come up for sale very often. This one came up at Brightwells (thanks for the tip off) and we had to have a good look at it and then placed a bid which after some last minute excitement was successful. We don’t know much about it other than it was believed to have been purchased back by Crossley at the end of the war, then reconditioned for a private sale. What is there appears to be very original although missing some parts. It came out of a scrap yard in 1981 and has changed hands a couple of times since then. We do need to focus on the Peerless but once that is completed here is the next project. In the meantime we can start looking out for parts and gathering information. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 The engine appeared to be in good condition, but was stuck. The absence of any damage to the valve caps suggest that it has never been apart and quite probably never run which is good news. It had the correct Smith and Sons carb on it as well. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 The radiator is a little battered but will certainly live to fight another day. It all provides a bit of personality to it. It was unfortunately missing the radiator badge. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 (edited) However, this was not a problem. While at the Beaulieu autojumble we spoke to a company who make replacement badges and as they had made one previously for a Crossley we commissioned them to make a replacement. Quite remarkably, (and relying on another heads up from a friend) two Crossley radiator badges were currently in an auction just seven miles from home. They were a little damaged (probably from being in a cardboard box with lots of other badges) but I had to buy them. I am not sure if the one without the name is a later or an earlier example. Someone will know. Here are all three for a comparison. Edited March 29 by Great War truck 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 We think there are nine RFC survivors, the one at Hendon perhaps being the best know. My understanding is that after having been fully restored it has been designated never to run again, which is a bit of a shame, but that is museums for you. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 Forum member Tom Fryar has another which frequently makes long expeditions. Here at Shuttleworth. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 It has a fair turn of speed: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 On collection and on its way to temporary storage until we can make room for it. 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8_10 Brass Cleaner Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 What a super buy. Basically the best pickup money can buy. Last time I saw one, other than Toms, was in Mike Sutcliffes garden - in the lorry body buried in shite. Do I remember the radiator in the house?. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 31 Author Share Posted March 31 Yes, you are quite right. The chassis was in a container in the garden and the beautiful radiator was in the downstairs hallway. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flandersflyer Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 (edited) Good ☹️ Edited April 1 by flandersflyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAFMT Posted April 15 Share Posted April 15 On 3/29/2024 at 8:28 AM, Great War truck said: My understanding is that after having been fully restored it has been designated never to run again, which is a bit of a shame, but that is museums for you. She actually can, and did, run after restoration. She went to the Carmen's Cart Marking ceremony after restoration, as well as attending a number of other functions around the WW1 centenary. Unfortunately the management of the museum upset the team of volunteers responsible for all of the vehicles (some of whom were on this forum), and the team walked out. So there is nobody left there with the knowledge or inclination to run it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted April 15 Author Share Posted April 15 Thanks for clarifying that. What happened to the RAF Leyland that was bought by Hendon? Was any restoration work started on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.