Ford Instruments Restoration
 

Hi Gals & Guys

After emailing some images privately to Max Hedges I thought some may be interested in my progress on this aspect of restoration. There are four posts as I haven't yet worked out how to get more than one image on a post.

This one is a typical Ford Blitz - before photo, and this was a good cluster to start with.

Ford Instrument Restoration Two
 

And this is the after image

Ford Instrument Restoration Three
 

The next two are before and after of the cluster for the Rover Light Armoured Car that two of our Museum members purchased. Again it it Ford based.

Ford Instrument Restoration Four
 

And this is the After shot. Sorry if I appear to be blowing my own bags but I just love this stuff.

Bob

Keep posting!!
 

"Blow your own bags" all you like...this is great! It not only shows what's being done but also the qualiity and standard to which it is. I LOVE before and after shots. Thanks for posting.

Ford Instrument Restoration
 

Excellent work Bob.You have a lot of talent! Keep posting your before and after pics.Do you still have for sale the Repro guage faces you posted on this Forum a few months ago?I'm uncertain on how to retrieve previous threads to check on this.
Cheers,
Jim

Ford Instrument Restoration 'cont.
 

Hi Jim

Thanks for the comments. Yes I am still doing the repro faces and full restorations. To get the info go to the bottom of the Restoration forum and retrieve all posts from the beginning. I think most of my instrument threads are there. I may also have a couple on the Softskin forum.

Attached is my latest, for Max. This is the before photo and the next is the after shot.

Max - it's in the mail.

Bob

Pic 2
 

And here is the result. This is an example of the earlier faces that were common to the early Oz Bren Gun Carriers and earlier Blitzs.

If anyone out there has dead gauges, speedos, panels etc. I would be happy to receive them as I can always salvage something.

Bob

job well done
 

Bob,just thought I would thank you for a job well done and that the dash arrived safley, Ihave been showing it off to anyone who comes along, best get back to work now as we are still shearing.

Max

Re: job well done
 

What are you going to call the young 'uns? :p

the ewes
 

Geoff,

The old girls were glad to get their wool off now they're all back in thier paddocks wishing they had still had thier wool on as it's turned a little colder. They have just started to pop out the odd lamb or two so it's best they had their coats off for that. As for names there are too damn many to start that, maybe just call them all lambie would do. Looking forward to spring soon.

Max

Re The Ewes
 

LAMBIE?? LAMBIE??

Come on Max, what sort of a macho Australian image is that. What about Killer, Knuckles, Feral or KEEFY.

Bob

Bob,

I would have thought it would at least have been "Darling"... :D

re names
 

Well there is one ram I should call killer.I caught him bashing one poor old ram about pretty bad,I managed to save him but since then I found one other dead in the paddock,perhaps we should warn tourists about them just like Bob's snakes.More lambs today. (lamb chops Mmmmmm yummy).

Max

My Latest Offerings
 

Hi Gals & Guys

Here is the latest. For those of you with an observant eye, you will notice that the brass switch plates are now a better colour than before. There was a lot of searching for a better vinyl.

Bob

Gaskets
 

PS on the previous post, the panel colour is Khaki Green No. 3.

Now to show there is no expense spared in my restoration endeavours, I had a gasket tool made for the very delicate FORD gaskets that live behind the gauges.

What gaskets you say?

Well believe me they exist. I tried cutting them out but just too fiddly. The round ones are replacements for the back of the gauges and the big one of course is for the speedo. They are all available.

Bob

Speedo Face
 

PPS on the instrument panel.

For the very observant, you will notice I have now produced a non-Waltham face which will fit onto the King-Seely and Stewart Warner faces.

Bob

Dashes
 

Bob
with this article in mind I retrieved the Dash out of the Ford that worked its guts out building the Alcan highway and Canol project, will post of pic of the sorry thing shortly, have to convert from one digital medium to another. Its your for the challenge if you want.
Sean

Snowtractor
 

I love a challenge.

Bob

NOS 1940 Ford Instrument Case
 

Bob,

Up for auction at eBay is a NOS 1940 Ford Instrument Case (Item number: 2453969271). "Not the best of cases,but good for restoring" and the item is located in Australia, so this might be just the thing for you?

Regards,
Hanno

Ebay Item
 

Hi Hanno

Thanks for the heads up. I really must get my act into gear and get my web site going or start selling on Ebay if people are willing to pay that sort of money for an incomplete and unrestored panel. Whoever buys it will find the main part of the housing missing as it only has the bezel, fascia plate and rear plate. The box means nothing. The white fascia plate was used in some of the early Oz Carriers.

Bob

NOS 1940 Ford Instrument Case
 

Sorry Blokes,

That was me selling the case. I'm new to the forum and was'nt sure if I'd be out of line advertising my goods via this forum.

I thought the box added a lovely touch

By the way my ebay user id is hot065 and I have a case in better condition comming up next. (box included)

Steve

khaki green NO.3
 

To Bob M in croweater land :

Where do you source your Khaki green No. 3 . as seen on that Ford instrument panel ? it looks very nice . Is it enamel ?



Mike

Re. Khaki Green No.3
 

Mike

I sourced the colour during the restoration of the Museum's Carrier. Colour was located in a hidden obscure place that had'nt been subjected to too much weathering and overpainting. I took the scrapings to my regular paint provider, Protec Paint, and they matched it up. I have been using this version for a couple of years. If you like I can bring a sample to Corowa for you.

Of interest, off the modeller's site, they talk about Khaki Green (but no number).

B.S 381-1939 - base colour, 3 colour disruptive pattern Europe 1939 (Humbrol colour 30, Tamiya colour XF26/Xf58). They then suggest the base colour for Europe 1942 is the same B.S number but Humbrol colour 151.

Bob

1940 Instrument Case
 

Hi Steve

Firstly, I hope you didn't take offence about my comment on the box. Thats not a bad price you got. As you can see from this post and others re. my instrument restorations I'm always on the lookout for stuff to restore and sell on. Where are you finding your stuff? Oh stupid me, you are not going to tell me your source.

Let me know when the next one is on Ebay as I'm interested in what people are willing to pay that will also give me a guide of the worth of the stuff I'm restoring.

Bob

1940 Instrument Case
 

Hi Bob,

Of course no offence taken. The case on e-bay is on its way to Brazil. My supply has run dry as I picked these up at a clearing sale.

I've kept the best one for the restoration of my 1940 Ford Pickup which is a long term project after my Yankee Joe. The Pickup came with a AIF rego plate on the rear, and the front chrome grill replaced with painted wire mesh. I'm hoping someone might have a photo of a 40 pickup with this type of grill fitted.

I may need some repo faces from you when the time comes.

Steve

Hey Bob, the following item is on e-bay at the moment. A Ford 1940 standard speedo calibrated 0 to 100 (Mph or Km/h???).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2459390610

Re: NOS 1940 Ford Instrument Case
 

Steve has put it up for auction recently: NOS 1940 Ford Instrument Case

Ford Istrument Cluster - Ebay
 

Hi Tony
Thanks for the heads up. In my hands that would change from a frog to a prince but at $AU44.87 starting price plus postage, currency conversion costs etc. no way. The speedo is a 100mph Stewart Warner.

Hanno - different item to Steves, his is just the housing.

Bob

blitznboy
 

Salesman Bob has discovered the world of eBay and put up for auction a restored Restored King-Seely (Ford) Instrument Housing. Looks great, blitznboy :)