First time UC buyer

[Shaun May]

Hello I have just joined and would like to ask a question about UC prices. Now I read the section on the main area of Maple Leaf Up about a first time buyer however the price listed there is $1000 - $20000 US. I am interested in hearing more accurate prices for various conditions of vehicles.
I am beginning a 10-year time line at the end of which I would like to buy a UC to work on. I want one not in good condition, however would like to know what one in good condition is worth. I am just starting a family and want to restore with my children (when we have them ). So could people who have ether already been looking for a while or have purchased a UC please help me? Thank you.

Shaun May
Canadian

[Stewart Loy]

Hello, and welcome to the Club,

There is a Universal Carrier advertised in the latest TriAd in Ontario. I have not seen the advertisment, as I am in the US on business - but as soon as I get back home I will post the information.

I think it is the same one, near Hamilton, that was not sold on eBay a few weeks ago. The price in the paper is $7K, "running and ready for restoration". I am close enough that I could take a look - in fact I think I will. It will get another data point for the Nigel Watson managed InfoDex database, if nothing else.

Where are you in the gigantic counrty of Canada? There are Carriers everywhere, bit if you live near enough to London, Ontario perhaps we can arrange a tour of my garage - so you can see what you are getting yourself in for.


Best regards,


Stewart
Beachville

[Phil Waterman]

If you are going to start in this hobby you have to realized that one is never enough.

However as most people on this forum will tell you it is nice insanity.

[Shaun May]

Where are you in the gigantic counrty of Canada? There are Carriers everywhere, bit if you live near enough to London, Ontario perhaps we can arrange a tour of my garage - so you can see what you are getting yourself in for.

Thanks, I would LOVE that, but I live in Saskatchewan and as for the one in the paper I am still preparing to buy. This is year 1 of my 10 year plan my first challenge was getting my wife to agree to having a tank when she doesn’t even like guns. I still need to get my manuals, which I noticed can be found here, and a suitable work space.

However that said any information on the one you heard of in the paper would be great. I can never have to much info besides Im seriously addicted now

If you are going to start in this hobby you have to realized that one is never enough.

Yes I can feel it already. I am looking forward to the joy and the pain of this challenge.

What may I ask brought you into UC restoration?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Shaun,

To echo Stewart, welcome! Carriers are definitely not for everyone, but if you're "hooked", you're hooked! Carrier owners are all a bit "off", but I wouldn't have it any other way...

You're probably best to start now in your planning ('scheming', vis-a-vis the wife ). Broadly speaking, you have four basic categories of carrier available to you, each with ascending cash values and levels of work/expertise/time/money required for restoration:

First, there is the basic "lower hull and chassis" carrier. These are common across Canada. Most of the armour has been gas-axed off through the years to lighten it up and increase the driver's visibility. Some you will find still running (highly useful), but it's a big job as you'll have to fashion the armour out of mild steel plate and attach same using rivets (preferred but difficult) or carriage bolts (easier but not authentic). At least there are few difficulties about doing so if you are, or know of, a skilled metalsmith. It's all pretty much flat plate. It's a long-term project (except if your name is "Dirk" ).

Second, you'll find carriers which are more-or-less intact, but with bits of armour cut out in the driver/commander's compartment (for the aforementioned visibility). These are fairly easy to replace if you are, or know, a good welder (Stewart can comment here), and the rest is mechanical or finishing. One of these is probably your cheapest prospect if initial cost is an issue.

Third and rarely, you will find complete machines simply needing complete stripping and rebuilding. If the owner knows the market at all, one of these will cost you dearly up-front, yet be the easiest in terms of restoration. You will probably spend the same in the long run on any of these, overall, but here the bulk of your money is spent right off the bat, and the rest trickled away later. If you have an understanding wife and don't want a years-long restoration job, this is the way to go.

Lastly, you might find something which has previously been restored, is in good to excellent running condition and which requires minimal investment in time and money to complete. These can be both rare and expensive, as those who have taken the trouble to get them that far are well aware of the money they themselves have invested in the thing. You're paying for THEIR time and money, but on the other hand, you have something you can use pretty much right away, and refine as you go along. DEFINITELY the way to go if you have the cash and are not equally as driven by the "restoration bug" (some just love the process).

More thoughts... you'll probably spend the same in the end no matter which option you choose... so really, it's up to an honest assessment of your own motivation and skillset. Finishing, in terms of all the little accessories and knick-knacks (stowage boxes, brackets, kit etc) will take a while regardless; much of this stuff you'll have to fabricate.

Try and get one running if you can... those old Ford engines can be a bear to replace if you need to. They ARE around, but can get pretty pricey if you have to magnaflux blocks and replace everything inside. Once you have a good one, though, it should last for as long as you own the thing...

All for now, I'm sure the carrier owners here will add more as time goes on!

Geoff

[Shaun May]

Thank you Geoff , that was very informative. I must admit that I am trying to balance the up front cost with my lack of mechanical knowledge. I need at least a sort of running engine as it has been along time since I worked on one, a 84 ford mustang being the last one. However I do have a brother in-law who is going for his heavy mechanics ticket .

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Shaun - don't be disheartened. Carriers are the easiest things in the world to restore. They are basically a 2 compartment water tank with an engine in the rear and having tracks. They are very agricultural. I've been restoring one for the last 2 years but its only taken that long because I've been involved with the restoration of many other vehicles. Out here all the carriers run Ford Mercury motors which happen to be the preferred motor for our speedway drivers. So of course I had our motor completely restored by a couple of old speedway hands. Its almost blueprinted and I'm just afraid I might spin off the tracks when we get her going. The motors are basic and with a few of the old right tools and someone with a bit of knowhow, they are easy to recondition. All Ford CMP owners run the same type of engine although many of those are the common 85hp motor not the elite 95hp we use. We are luckier than you as our carriers are all welded armour and not rivets, apart from maybe some very early ones. All the add ons can be fabricated or sourced through other collectors and you get very excited when another obscure lump of green comes to light. I have numerous photos of our restoration and I also kept a running sheet of our progress. You should move to OZ as we still have plenty of carriers around to restore. Good luck and keep the forum posted. And as an afterthought, once the motor is out it makes a good play area for the kids. Give them a wire brush and they can be useful as well.


: Tell me Sunray, to what are you alluding when you say "Carrier owners are all a bit off". I reckon any budding restorer should serve their apprenticeship on a carrier.

Go for it Shaun

Bob