New C8 (& Tyres)

[MurrayC]

After many years of sitting forlornly in the corner of the shed and almost a year of repairing and renewing by myself and a couple of mates, my C8 attended its first outing last weekend. It's still not finished and unlicenced so I trailered it to the Old Time Motor Show in Brookton, just east of Perth. It runs well and everything works. The colours are Khaki Green and Sand Yellow and I got the colours matched from modellers' paint The Z number was found under paint on a door and the 46 on red over blue, which was also found under paint, belongs to the Anti-tank Bn of one of the 3 Aust. Infantry Div's in North Aftrica.

I've left the roof off for the time being, it's hard enough squeezing in a 6'3" driver as it is. There's an incredible lack of space in the footwell and how they jammed a sidevalve V8 in the Ford version I don't know.
The spare wheel/toolbox is from a C15, and all I had left of the body was the front frame and the panels on either side of the tailgate. Not having the detail knowledge I've since got from here, and people like Mike Kelly (thanks for all the help Mike), I made it up as best I could. I'll probably redo it sometime in the future.

On the subject of 900x13 tyres, about 18 months ago, I got 4 new Dunlop SandGrips (diamond pattern tread) from Beaurepairs at about $200 each and just 2 months ago, got tubes for them. Both times I was told they didn't exist but, after pushing them to check their computer fully, the counter jumper was surprised to find they 'had some in the wharehouse'. They are still used on some agricultural implements and seem to be replaced only after they run out. The point is they should be urged to check their special or oddsize section.

Murray.

[Jim Price]

Murra C:
The vehicle looks great! The camo paint job is especially nice!
I'll follow up on that Dunlop possibility for 9.00x13 tyres!

Regards,
Jim

[Mike K]

It is looking excellent Murray.That makes 3 restored C8's here , gee, they are becoming very common nowadays !

I think you'll find the tyres are the Australian Olympic brand rather than Dunlop.

Some of the older agricultural towed devices use that tyre size, but with the advent of larger 'corporation' owned farms here, and the large scale farming methods ,much of that smaller farm machinery is now obsolete. Around here they all seem to go for the large round roll up type hay bales.

Yes , you have to pester the tyre people for the odd sizes like 900-13. I found the MRF guy at Agtyres (Tony I think) in Moree NSW, was fantastic , he bent over backwards to help . He even had a basic knowledge of Blitz's and knew of the Chev /Ford differences too .

Happy motoring in your C8

Mike

[Rookie]

Murray

Brilliant job, is now a further insiration for me on the 100 year project

Well done

P.S. Does anyone know where I can access a diagram of how the body goes together for my Portee, Its a heap in the shed and the 3 rolls of film of the disassembly went through the washing machine in my shirt during the drought when we were drinking beer instead of water

Rookie

[aj.lec]

Congratulations
Looking good
could you possibly post a few more pictures from different angles ?
Is the tray and rear section original ?

[Gunner]

Hi Murray:

You mentioned anti-tank "battalion" and I thought I might mention the the RAA like its Commonwealth sisters (RA, RCA, RNZA) use the term "regiment" to describe a battalion sized organisation.

For lots of great info on the RAA see:

http://australianartilleryassociation.com/
http://www.defence.gov.au/ARMY/RRAA/default.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Australian_Artillery

You'll find that the Gunners are a warm and welcoming bunch and will be keen to help you out with research into your vehicle's history.

Welcome to the C8/F8 club!



Mike