Doghouse
 

Great work with the step. I've not seen that felt around the edges of the engine cover before, but it looks like it was always there... the parts book should show it if it is original.

The mudguard 'Z' piece
 

Hi Tony,

Great job: the truck is coming along nicely.

Do you have the little 'Z' shaped piece that bolts to the lower rear edge of the mudguard? It clears the forward edge of the step and prevents mud & crap from coming off the wheels and spraying across the surface of the step.

Mike

Thank you
 

Keith and Mike.

Good point Keith - Ill check it out..

I think this the bit you are referring to Mike? I reckon they would be a must.

Did they have Rubber flaps attached to them as well? I have one with additional holes in the lower part which would suggest perhaps some owner/drivers did.

Working on the loom amongst other jobs.

Has anyone seen this black strip attached to a door? I assume it was once rubber. It is rock hard and any profile it once had is beyond recognition.

Start of the final challenge.
 

So I bit the bullet and had the tailgate blasted. I expected it to fall into bits.

We are truly blessed you Canadian fellows used the best steel in these trucks.

Dry Australian inland also helps preserve as well.

Hard to see from the pictures, but this thing had a dreadful bow in the middle.

Warming the steel. Then into it with the copper hammer with timber underneath. Hitting the highs then turning it over, hit again, turn over, hit again and repeat.... it is actually sitting true now.

Cant believe it... Sure there is some patching to do. But this is salvageable in my opinion :thup2:

Canvas
 

Hi Tony,

Good you have those. Not rubber: double-layered canvas, with a stitched turned-back edge, and an 'X' cross stitched across the centre. Had some but long gone, and no images.

That 2C1 body looks very restorable.

Mike

Nice work Tony!

I agree....looks like a very restorable body.

Some strategically placed wooden blocks and driving over it with your car can also do wonders.

Alex

Car Press
 

Alex - I like the way you think - whatever works is in... In my book.

I did actually stand on it initially and bounce (gently) on it. It did help a bit.

But of an update - photo's don't do it justice and Narrandera Exhaust centre were bloody patient and did incredible work to get all the fiddly bends and eventual successful line up of the pipes at the front. Grinding cleaning painting and approx a dozen test fits done by your's truly.

Apologies for photo's - but exhaust system is finished. :drunk:

Exhaust
 

Should get them to do a few more now they know how... I remember having one made in the mid 70s when I worked for Hughes Auto Spares, it was an exhaust place in Brunswick who made them without any fuss as they had been doing them for years.

Yours looks truly excellent!

Thank you
 

Very kind words Keith...thank you.

Still working on little fiddly jobs. Thought Id better get out the headlights and check them out and clean them up, Managed to fit the original bits to the new loom wiring. I am getting some modern Halogen globes that are 6 volt and fit these pre focus type lights. I'm going to have a crack at cleaning up the reflectors. Ill see how they go with a bit of Silvo.

The other bit that's been bothering me is the gap in the front spring hangers and the leaf springs themselves. I found the right size washers for each side of the leaves and went over the eye bolts, they went in like they were meant to be there.

Silvo
 

This took a lot of goes on one light. The other came up nicely quickly.

Silvo is definitely the right product for this job.

Long overdue update.
 

I do sincerely apologise for not updating this thread.

I have not been idle. In fact this restoration has occupied nearly every waking moment I've had the last 10 or so weeks.

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Time Passes
 

Again, apologies for not updating this thread more frequently..

Revised roof, after a lot of research and digging around what appeared to be original remains of Rubber and Timber used to join metal framework to the roof

Additionally samples of what was left of round head bolts and nuts.

And samples of the rubber that lined the frame on which the hatch rests.

Corowa 2024
 

Made it to Year of the Blitz 2024.

Apart from a few little hiccups with the Lights it all went smoothly.

Early V8 Nationals Echuca
 

This event is usually reserved for the Cars but I was made very welcome.

Some of the most magnificent early Flat head V8 vehicles of display and the sound? Absolutely divine!

I explained the loudest note you can hear from a Blitz is the gearbox.

Echuca is a wonderful place to visit & a perfect venue for this event.

8 hour trip over and 8 hours back. The Little truck did herself proud.

Got the fire extinguisher bracket, rifle butt & medical kit in place.

Beautiful Blitz, Tony!


David

A beautiful, meticulous restoration on your Blitz. Well done Tony.
Ken.

Your Ford looks gorgeous, Tony! Congrats on a job well done.

And good to see you are taking it on serious road trips :thup2:

Thank you
 

Very kind words,

Thanks David, Ken & Hanno,

Finally remembered how to upload some videos.. (I Hope)

https://youtube.com/shorts/kDVsoTOVn...i-iak0RTtv9IJ5

https://youtube.com/shorts/rpLDdprmx...1wQ9Ts2itwi2ra

https://youtu.be/e_AWPLa_9LM?si=ggNDVj-t2fLTjC2X

https://youtube.com/shorts/25xg03P5h...MhJIN69iZH43Fu