Yesterday I went to Rugby to have a look at the collection, and met Andrew and his dad who kindly showed me around the treasures.
There are as shown above four Ford CMPs for sale. Two have original motors and the other two have Ford four cylinder diesel conversions.
Andrew's dad's preference is to sell them as a lot, with spares, so it's no use to bother them with offers for any of the parts seen here. (if there were I would certainly have bought some of them!)
These notes are from my observations so if there's anything I've missed or have wrong, please hop in Andrew.
An overall comment is that the condition of the sheet metal is outstanding, with these vehicles always carefully shedded and what a difference that makes. Having said that if you were after an untouched original you won't find it here as they have all been altered in some way, albeit very professionally.
The first (in no particular order) is this short wheelbase:
It has one of the diesel engines fitted and is built from a medium wheelbase chassis, I suspect it may have been a tipper originally. It is in running condition and looks to be a fine unit.
Next is the 6X6:
Not at all what it seems. Believe it or not this started life as a F60S Ambulance No2. It has been extensively modified with a pair of Chev rear axles and what William said was a LARC transfer case. He had to engineer a second small transfer case to reverse the direction of the front prop shaft:
Third is a crane built (I think) on another medium wheelbase chassis but fitted with 16" wheels and a lazy axle. This one has a V8. It's missing a front spring.
And finally a rather tidy F15A with a good engine but needing a right hand water pump.
The spares I'll deal with later but here's a tasty teaser:
