Willanthry Chev Blitz C60L Restoration

[Willanthry]

G'day Howard! I was near your neighbourhood the other day on my way to Wagga. If I could copy your doors, that'd be great! I'll see about getting a carton of cans headed your way for the favour . I do have a spare Chev Engine, so don't worry about that; as a matter of fact, i was thinking of taking it to a mechanic in Wagga to fix it.

G'day to you Phil! I daresay getting it back in will be the trick, but i'll cross that bridge when i come to it lol. The tripod and endless chain was the easiest way to get the engine out for us, as i don't have access to a forklift or anything like that. We simply used our old Deutz-Fahr tractor to lug it away, and it was as simple as that! That's me on the left in the fourth picture, by the way; i had the camera on a timer.

[Willanthry]

We finally found time to bring my other acquisitions from "Willanthry" today back to our farm. Apparently, at one stage, there were two Blitzes up at "Willanthry"; a C60L and a smaller truck of some description. I have the cabin from that truck now...as to where the rest of it is, who knows?

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Willanthry

We finally found time to bring my other acquisitions from "Willanthry" today back to our farm. Apparently, at one stage, there were two Blitzes up at "Willanthry"; a C60L and a smaller truck of some description. I have the cabin from that truck now...as to where the rest of it is, who knows?

What does it say on the data plate? By the look of it It would seem likely to have been another late production C60L.

[Willanthry]

According to the plate on the dashboard, this other cabin's details are as follows:
Chassis Model: WO96
Cab Model: ??
Chassis Serial: 3-8443-61358M
Engine Serial: PR3 946 470
Order No: SM-E52-448
Date of MFG: 3-10-44 AUS M

There's nothing stamped in the Cab Model section, nor any trace of anything having been stamped there, strangely enough...

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Willanthry

According to the plate on the dashboard, this other cabin's details are as follows:
Chassis Model: WO96
Cab Model: ??
Chassis Serial: 3-8443-61358M
Engine Serial: PR3 946 470
Order No: SM-E52-448
Date of MFG: 3-10-44 AUS M

There's nothing stamped in the Cab Model section, nor any trace of anything having been stamped there, strangely enough...

Yes a C60L. And WO 96 was 'Truck, 3-ton garage Aust'. Built in Melbourne too.

Bob Moseley sent me info on one built about a week earlier in the same configuration: 3-8443-61308 M PR3946264 SM-E52-448 26 9 44 AUS M

[Willanthry]

Well, after much frustration, we've managed to remove a Fire Brigade modification from the Blitz; a rod set in one of the canopy frame holders to hold a spotlight. It's been set in rubber, and would not be moved by persuasion or brute force. We welded a bolt to the top of it so that we could wrap a chain around it and give it something to grab on to, and we then lifted the rod out with the tractor. Believe me, the truck was almost half a metre off the ground before the rod yielded and came out. In the end, human ingenuity prevails!! :P

Now the trick will be removing what's left of the rubber from inside the canopy holder...

And in breaking news, I've managed to locate the original canopy frame itself that went with this Blitz! It's also located on "Willanthry", and is doing service as a damned trellis! Luckily, the modification is not extensive, and if i could persuade the owner to part with it, i may gain it for my truck.

[Willanthry]

Yesterday, I managed to score the presence of the great John Mackie for a day to aid in my restoration. Myself, my father Glen and John spent yesterday pulling apart the spare engine we acquired with the Blitz, to see what sort of condition it was in. As you can see from the photos, one of the valves has been left open, and because the engine has been in the open for so long, water has slowly but surely infiltrated one of the piston sleeves. However, using John's expertise and honing tool, we've given her a bore out, and may be able to get away with it. The rest of the engine is in magnificent condition; the crankshaft is in amazing condition, all the pistons are fine apart from the number 2 piston, which has suffered from it's inundation, and we may be able to clean up this engine and get it running ourselves without too much undue expense. Lucky eh?

As you can see, we also scored rain yesterday, hence our makeshift shelter out the front of my dad's shed...