Found: T16 or UNIVERSAL

[Paul Dutton]

WANTED either a T16 or Universal Carrier restoration project.
Any condition, as found / basket case, ex display etc.
Whats out there??
Dont mind shipping or local (UK) recovery at right price.

No silly prices please, im trying to keep these beautiful machines alive.

Many Thanks in advance

Paul

[Ben]

Hi Paul

A few on here have imported carriers into the UK, myself included. We can offer advice if needs be.

I would recommend you aim for a basically complete carrier, perhaps that needs upper armour. At the end of the day you get what you pay! A good project complete with all the bits you want but needing work will go for between £7k-£12k depending on completeness and condition. Much less and the work becomes much more and you'll have to do some serious hunting for parts.

T16's are cheaper.

Ben

[RichardT10829]

Also money saved on the initial project, ie a hull minus its armour, you need to factor in the cost of tooling and time to replace those bits... I purchased mine minus its armour and had to buy a strong rivet gun..something to heat the rivets, a mag drill and cutters to drill and countersink the plate work....then learn the dark art of riveting. Where as if I had paid more for a more complete project in the first instance it would have worked out the same in costs but a whole lot less work involved.

Canada is the place to go for carriers IMHO....they tend to weather better over there so they survive that bit longer out in the elements.

[Lynn Eades]

Paul, along with this great advice born of experience, you need to put some thought into the state of the track. Old track that is worn out frees up. good track that is badly rusted may not. Track can be very hard to get, and the lack of good track is ultimately the one thing that will put your carrier off the road. The track on a carrier that has sat for a long time can tighten up and look good. Sometimes in that situation the bits in contact with the ground are no good any more. Be careful.

[Paul Dutton]

Thanks all, I will take your advice. Cost is the main factor and I can bide my time for right machine. I'm still learning about them at moment so I can wait.
I don't mind the fabrication or parts sourcing, it's half the fun as well as the research. I'm an experienced classic car restorer and engineer so not too fazed.
I read about the guys who happen to find one in the bushes or buried in their local woods, read their restoration threads and watch the you tube vids of its first run........ sooooo jealous of you all. Lol.
Please keep up the excellent work you guys and make me as green as hell with envy.
Hate you all and thank you.....!!! Lol

[chris vickery]

Hi Paul

Take your time to find the best example that you can. I am a fellow restorer and collector who has built and restored many historic mvs over the years.
When you figure out the labour and material costs, research etc, it is often times better to take advantage of a complete example rather than a parts machine.
Trust me, I owned 6 UCs at one point in time with only one really being a feasible candidate. Maybe prices in Europe dictate otherwise but here in Canada a person would be hard pressed to get more than $20,000 CAN for a restored carrier.
I will keep a look out for you over on this side of the pond.

[Neil Ashley]

If you want to portray the vehicle in British markings stick to a Universal as no one has produced any evidence yet of T16's with British Units in the field.

The Canadian Army seemed to have been the main users but I understand 43rd Recce did trial T16's as 6 Pounder Gun Tractors prior to D Day.

[Paul Dutton]

Originally Posted by chris vickery

Hi Paul

Take your time to find the best example that you can. I am a fellow restorer and collector who has built and restored many historic mvs over the years.
When you figure out the labour and material costs, research etc, it is often times better to take advantage of a complete example rather than a parts machine.
Trust me, I owned 6 UCs at one point in time with only one really being a feasible candidate. Maybe prices in Europe dictate otherwise but here in Canada a person would be hard pressed to get more than $20,000 CAN for a restored carrier.
I will keep a look out for you over on this side of the pond.

Thanks Chris
It's not the end value to me. When we restore machines it normally costs more than they are worth. I do it to satisfy myself and preserve a small bit of history. I actually enjoy getting sh#t high in muck, rust and oil, and discovering the history of machines. I love seeing other people's faces when they see what you have achieved. And I enjoy meeting self (mental) minded people who share the same passions as I do.
I have relatives in Toronto and Australia looking out also. They are able to help with shipping if need be!
Many thanks in advance to all who replied and offers of help, but according to my missus, not the kind of help I need.....!! Lol.

[Paul Dutton]

Just thought I would give this post a BUMP and keep people in the loop!!!

Thanks

[Paul Dutton]

Bump, bump!!!

[lssah2025]

PM sent.........

[maple_leaf_eh]

One of the more active buy/sell "theatres" in Canada is Kijiji. The country is broken down by province and then by city or region. If you set up some structured queries (and save them as text files), it is easy to run searches every day. If there is an alerts tool, I haven't found it.

The other possible source would be the truck and heavy equipment trader websites. The electronic versions of the paper copies seem to get a lot of traffic.

Of course, finding one is only half the job. Then you will have to identify what is actually offered and negotiate with the seller. Recovery and transport are another set of issues.

[Paul Dutton]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

One of the more active buy/sell "theatres" in Canada is Kijiji. The country is broken down by province and then by city or region. If you set up some structured queries (and save them as text files), it is easy to run searches every day. If there is an alerts tool, I haven't found it.

The other possible source would be the truck and heavy equipment trader websites. The electronic versions of the paper copies seem to get a lot of traffic.

Of course, finding one is only half the job. Then you will have to identify what is actually offered and negotiate with the seller. Recovery and transport are another set of issues.

Thanks for that. I haven't a problem with the logistics, especially in Canada and Oz, got relatives there to help. Still trying to find a restore project before I get old(er!) Lol trying to hunt down a local one at moment that was used in a local farm with a water tank strapped to its back!!!!