Carrier "RestoMod" in Oklahoma

[rossbart]

Well, I am the guy that bought this carrier. I am excited to go pick it up and hope to this weekend. However, I am a complete newcomer to the universal carrier. This one appears to be in good mechanical condition and the tracks in good shape but, to be honest, I have not yet seen it in person. However, as the carrier family seems to be a fairly close one, I am not going to be surprised if you guys can't tell me quite a bit about this particular one and I am hopeful that you will.

Can anybody give me any insight or knowledge as to the history, ownership, restoration thus far, condition, etc. of this little carrier. For that matter - even what it is exactly. I think it is a Mk I? Universal or Bren?

I have ordered some reference and service books (just ordered Nigel's Universal Carrier Books) and am sure that these will help but for now I'm just trying to figure out what I have.

Any help to the new guy will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ross

[rob love]

It is a mk1, as is evidenced by the two rectengular holes in the hull over the rear diff. The track, with 166 links (as described by the seller) would be almost new....new would have 168 links which would have been reduced to 167 links within 50 miles as the pebbling from the casting wore off.

This isn't a bad carrier for restoration, since the division plate remains uncut, and a bonus is that the angle iron for the side armour remains in place.

The front plate will have to be replaced (where the control panel is) but the good news is that it is a bolt on piece. They are around.

The thing you will need to find is the front armour. It is reasonably complicated. The sides and rear are harder to find but can be replicated fairly easily out of 1/4" (or more ideally 5/16th") plate.

There are a few guys on this forum who started with less than what you have now. Take a look at some of the threads like Jordan's, where he goes from start to finish on restoring basically a stripped out hull.

Good luck and welcome to the fraternity.