Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

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This afternoon, I took some time to remove old paint & rust scale from the cab rear panel. Prior to stripping, I could feel many wavy areas and feared what I may find once surface cleaned. The majority of the 'wibbles' were actually the spot welds, therefore not as bad overall as I expected. The trolley for cab base has come in handy as a good support with great accessability to both sides, while dents are being beaten. I was hoping to have the cab floor on this trolley today, but I didn't get time to retrieve it from sandblaster on Saturday.
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These holes for the rifle holding bracket (upper) seem to be intentionally recessed. Are the bolts for these similar to floor bolts? The proximity to top of the panel suggests they may have been recessed so the roof panel would sit over them. Is this correct?
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This is the remains of the twisted wire cup I used to strip the paint. It was about 85% when I started. I broke the last few strands as I removed the final square inch of crap. I believe I got my moneys worth out of it! Have found these stripping wheels work exceptionally well, if a little scary to use.

P.S: The black color is etch primer. Once dents are repaired, it will go to sandblaster. I am hoping not to need filler on the repairs. Time will tell!

[Private_collector]

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Well........now that the auction is ended and I have won it, I can tell you about this great piece of Ford history. A book which seems to have been presented to the workers of the Ford factory, as a token of thanks (see the photo of letter).

This book has ALL THE ADVERTISEMENTS Ford had published, apparently.

I have been sweating on this auction ending, for the last few days. There were a number of other bidders, but I feel this book is so rare now & so significant (especially with the original letter still with it), that I had to have it at any cost!!!!

The following is from the auction listing:

FORD OF CANADA IN WARTIME produced by The Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. It is a rare book put out by Ford Motors of Canada containing the Ford institute advertisements art prints.As far as I can tell it was never put up for sale commercially, but given out as gifts. The original letter found just inside the cover is on Ford letterhead and dated August 12, 1946. Obviously typed out on an antique typewriter. Letter is Signed (by fountain pen) by W.H. Clark: G.S. , Personnel Manager.Collection of Advertisements published from 1941 to 1943, used to both inform and maintain moral. Published in a reduced size from the original Ads and brought together in book form. The written content is action packed and full of statistics of the mechanized war. See the following quotes:

"Thousands upon thousands of modern fighting machines - artillery tractors, gun carriers, lorries, transport trucks, mobile workshops and other vehicles which make the motorized column a self-contained fighting unit."
(from The Empire moves..on wheels!)

"But there comes an anxious moment when the Tank Commander heads the land battleship for a pre-arranged "harbour" to get supplies and ammunition. With enemy air-craft overhead, enemy scouts prowling on all sides, camouflage is quickly thrown up and protective guns placed in position." (from Rendezvous Under Fire!)
Includes: List of War events by yearOver 40 Action Art Prints with advertisement content for Ford V-8 Mercury engines
Great Wartime action art prints depicting battles, factory and lab settings, nurses, infantry, big guns, bailey bridge and Soldiers under fire, etc.



Sorry folks...................you let this one slip through

[Keith Webb]

Tony the pics are all missing - perhaps you can scan and upload some yourself, would love to see them.

[Private_collector]

Are photos there now? I restarted and they are showing here!

If not, that's probably because I have been up for hours, watching the auction slowly ticking to an end

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Are photos there now? I restarted and they are showing here!

If not, that's probably because I have been up for hours, watching the auction slowly ticking to an end

Yes, they're there now, must have been some sort of glitch.

What an excellent find, well done!

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

This is the remains of the twisted wire cup I used to strip the paint. It was about 85% when I started. I broke the last few strands as I removed the final square inch of crap. I believe I got my moneys worth out of it! Have found these stripping wheels work exceptionally well, if a little scary to use.

Hi Tony,

I use a lot of those twisted wire brushes, and will never use one without a full face screen and glasses. The amount of wire strands I have had that goes through several layers of clothes makes you realise how dangerous they are, but very effective.

regards, Richard

[Private_collector]

I know what you mean!

I have worn a number of the strands in my legs, while using the wire cups.
Wearing long pants don't make a difference, and too hot for leather apron.

I have a large wire cup that goes on a big sander/grinder/polisher, bit I haven't had the nerve to use it yet. I did try it on and run the sander, but the noise the cup of that size makes is quite terrifying!

[Ken Hughes]

Hi Tony,yes the rifle mount screws are the same or close to it as the floor countersunk screws,looks like its comming on well.

[Private_collector]

Thankyou good sir!

[Private_collector]

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Got my parts back from sandblasting. Floor plates don't look too bad with all the crap off them. Quite pronounced pitting in places, but most of it is beneath the seat locations and won't stick out badly. Underneath of the plates are nearly perfect.
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As soon as I collected the bits from sandblaster, I headed to the local and well stocked nuts & bolts shop. I bought 40 of the correct profile bolts and nuts to suit. It's a shame I didn't count the holes before I went. I will actually need in excess of 60 for floor and fuel selector valve. Oh well, I won't get that far tomorrow anyway.

[Private_collector]

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The cab frame came up well. No rust problems underneath the floor areas, but one rust hole on mates side arch. MIG should take care of that tomorrow.
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When inspecting the frame, I found a number on the very top of mates side where the window frame goes, but about 7-8 inches in from the end. What is this number? Is it a part number, or a serial number of the truck? It's still as clear as day after 70 years of muck blown off. There is an oval shaped hole punched through near the number and then welded up, with a much smaller hole drilled through again. Bloody strange!
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The steering column bracket that bolts to the frame has me puzzled. I know the two holes on upper part attach to the frame, but what do the other two bolts attach to (the ones with the bolts still in them)?