Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Indeed, David. I think it is time I gave that truck a bit of panel work and a new coat of green paint. My only fear is that the wiring system may not have connectors which will allow me to easily remove the nose panel. I may be wrong though. The former owner is the same fellow who has succeeded in getting the troublesome (for me and every local tyre place) tyres to fit CMP wheels. He is a retired engineer, so it won't surprise me if he thought of any future need to remove the panel/s. An extraordinarily talented man who can do anything he turns his fancy to.
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The installing of these wheels (once all have tyres, of course) will make the rest of the vehicle look ridiculous in grey, and the mismatch appearance will drive me to do something quickly, I expect.
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I've been making enquiries about sourcing a quantity of suitable canvas, for rear body, rear window cover, front window bags, mudflaps, door curtains (and it's carry bag), gear boot, cabin roof (read on, for why), and retrim the seats. Naturally, the rear body will chew up majority of the canvas. I will be making those products myself, so I think it best to start on the smaller, easier things first. Painting will be done before all that. That's the easy bit.
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The good news is, I have new sets of side mirrors and front wing lights which are already green, and ready to install once painting is finished. A new set of rear lights are on hand also, but don't require painting. None are original, but are direct replacements for what is already in use. This truck is more of a daily driver than a restoration project. The roof has had some very poor treatment in the past, and lost its hatch, in preference for a badly finished replacement sheet of steel over most of the roof. I discovered some months ago there is water getting through the weld in two places, and it's too much trouble to do further welding to remedy, so the entire upper surface will get a healthy coat of Stone Guard. That'll seal it off. Stone Guard looks horrible, and I'm not driving around with that visible.......so...I plan to attach a raised steel piece from a spare sunshine roof frame I have, and a canvas cover will go over that. From the outside, it will look entirely like a real sunshine roof. A glance upward inside will confuse though. Now you know why I'm comparing canvas prices!

From a quality perspective, this range looks the best I've seen: http://www.wilsonfabrics.com.au/Outd...oductView.aspx
Download the product data Spec file, and compare! They has several thicknesses available, and all are Australian made.