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.