Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Keith Webb]

From memory there were exhaust systems, wiring looms, instruments, transfer case power take off conversion kits, windscreen glass, Chev distributors, rear shrouds for the radiator, splash panels for Fords, including the ultra-rare one that goes under the radiator, known as the lower radiator shroud (see section K3 of your MB-F1, top right pic).

[Private_collector]

Keith,

Rare you say, eh.

I have one of those somewhere I believe. Maybe I post a photo of it...............every time you show that bloody gear boot

Did you come up with anyone who will manufacture more of those boots?

Put me down for a couple, if you ever get any made!

[Keith Webb]

Yes, Max has gone back to the manufacturer of his ones and has placed an order.

As for the lower shroud... I was pulling your chain a little I admit as I have a couple rescued from Hughes Trading. I don't think I've ever come across a blitz 'in the wild' with one fitted.

[Private_collector]

Bought a new vacuum cleaner to use with my sand blasting cabinet.

The original one died the death of a thousand farts!
Anyone who has heard an electrical motor in process of burning out will know exactly what I mean

Today I was shown a set of two paintings which someone had painted during WW1, while their relative was in europe fighting the germans. They are VERY impressive and extremely detailed. More like murals really. I will attempt to photograph these and show them here, when I get a chance. Apparently it was a form of 'therapy' while awaiting safe return home of their loved one.

[Private_collector]

Nose painted 1.jpg Nose painted 2.jpg Nose painted 3.jpg Nose painted 4.jpg Nose painted 5.jpg
The nose panel is finally finished! With fairly stiff wind gusts and council working on the dirt road (wind blowing my way, hooray!!!), I continued with painting as scheduled.

Each coat required a light going over with a tack cloth, and gentle removal of selected pieces of crap. Winds decreased just prior to final coat, which was a great blessing because final coat was mostly reducer with a 'hint' of actual paint. That coat was basically to flatten the sheen further.

Cont'd...

[Private_collector]

Nose painted 6.jpg Nose painted 7.jpg Nose painted 8.jpg
I think I got all the little bits painted, that go onto the nose. Mine has a removable piece across top where the bonnet sits onto. Lucky I kept the brackets with the larger part.
Nose painted 9.jpg Nose painted 10.jpg
It was only this morning that I realised the passenger side 'air vent' is missing it's inside handle. Must have been like that all the time I've had it, unless it fell off at sandblasters. I don't give a damn.....the driver side has it's one

[Private_collector]

Headlight driver.jpg Headlight passenger.jpg Headlights both.jpg
Once the paint was almost touch dry, headlights went on, as did the upper mudguard bracket that sits under nose panel. I also did a very brief trial fitment of the bonnet late this afternoon. As usual, it fits in a way that touches a number of areas where it shouldn't! It also will require addition of a shim under each hinge attachment point. Here we go again!!!!
Accelerator linkage.jpg
Now that I have a new vacuum, i'm back in the business of blasting my own smaller parts again. Started with the accelerator pedal and associated hardware. These are now painted (black) and drying for fitting on Sunday.
TAC sign for nose.jpg
I have been stuffing around with ways of spraying the TAC sign onto the nose panel. A lot of unusual ways have been suggested. Hair spray has been rumoured to have sufficient 'stick' to hold the stencil in place. It doesn't work. I tried using a paper glue stick around the edges. This works but can bleed through the edges and spoil the edges.

Tomorrow I go into town and buy a pack of A4 size labels, which I will print a copy of the TAC sign onto. Then the white bit gets cut out and the remainder gets put on the nose for spraying straight through. No problem, simple, unless the label sticks No........it won't......will it?!?!? We will know by end of Sunday.

Tomorrow is a 'CMP free' day. Next SitRep Sunday. The vehicle serial numbers might be on then too.