[Lionelgee]

Hello Lang,

What a sad end to the story of your vehicle! Especially, after it made such and epic trip for you. Thank you for posting up the details of your trip.

Sometimes there are benefits to other people making "modifications" to historic vehicles. When I bought my 1940 WB Chevrolet ex-Australian Army truck I was told the engine had seized. After doing some research I tracked down a complete car with a "Blue Flame" 235 motor fitted to it. I could upgrade the original 216 Babbitt system to a 235 with a fully pressure lubrication system.

The vehicle had just been sold and I thought I had nothing to lose if I contacted the seller and asked if they knew what the new owner's plans were? The previous owner wrote back that the vehicle was going to be "Rodded" and the engine taken out and replaced with a V8 motor.

The previous owner negotiated with the vehicle's new owner on my behalf. I was able to buy the 235 engine. What was really interesting was that the 235 was a replacement engine that the second last owner fitted to the car. That replacement engine was shipped down to Victoria from ....

Bundaberg!

The engine was soon on its way back home!

Thanks for the magnification tip too Lang.

P.S. Time has past and a couple of brain cells rubbed together. The vehicle was advertised on eBay as coming with a replacement 235 engine - which grabbed my attention. The car was a early 1940's staff car. It had a unserviceable 216 engine fitted in it. The car's owner ordered the 235 Blue Flame to replace the 216 engine. The project was stored in the yard of either a panel beater or a mechanic. The project became stalled. The vehicle was then used as collateral on work that had been done on it. At the time I felt a bit miffed that such a vehicle was going to "rodded". It was bitter-sweet. I however, received both the 235 and the 216 so I benefited from the exchange. I will go and wash now... I feel dirty.

Kind regards
Lionel