Willanthry Chev Blitz C60L Restoration

[Willanthry]

Well, it's all quiet on the Blitz front at the moment as I begin my studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. I tried my utmost to make it to Corowa, but the logistics defeated me; there's always next year, I suppose.

I did, however, manage to persuade one of the tour guides at the Australian War Memorial to let me jump under the Chev Blitz they have on display and have a look (I was in uniform; they never refuse you ).I was looking to see what the set-up was like for the handbrake assembly, but it seemed to be different again from mine, so i was none the wiser, although it was an interesting experience.

Anyway, I've got a bit of time off coming up; hopefully I can get some more work done.

[Willanthry]

Just updating my thread to keep it alive; haven't been able to do anything on the Blitzes for a while because I haven't been home long enough do anything. I have a couple of weeks off coming up in May during which I plan to clean up both my Blitzes and do some work on them. Having found a DVD copy of "The Back of Beyond" and the other Tom Kruse documentaries, I'm very much inspired to get some restoration happening.

I also have some belated photos of a Blitz me and John Mackie scouted out at Ungarie. Unfortunately, my internet isn't letting me post them at the moment, so i'll try again tomorrow.

[Willanthry]

Here we go; Note the date on the underside of the bonnet (if you can see it!)

[Keith Webb]

I assume there is a '5' at the beginning of the pic with the ARN. If so this is the record for it:



If so... it was a F60S, chassis and engine number 3G1910F (seems to be a number short) and the designation is interesting... "KTN". Can anyone tell what that was?

[Willanthry]

Good Morning to everyone!

Well, this is my first post on my thread on MLU for over two years...two years in which a great deal has been going on. I've been all over the place with the Navy and haven't had a great deal of time to settle down to anything, including (unfortunately) Blitz Restoration! I'm currently in Sydney, but I'm once again about to post up North to Darwin to join a Patrol Boat. It'll be nonstop for a few months and then back to Sydney by October. Hopefully, I'll be able to get onto some serious Blitz work prior to Christmas.

Two excuses (among many) for such a long delay in staying up to date and for doing any Blitzwork are as follows;

1. My studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy, from whence I have successfully graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (History) following my thesis on the Australian Naval Contribution to the Boxer Rebellion.

2. The Navy has kept me busy with work, postings and courses, and I haven't had much time to get home to my babies.

The main reason, however, is not as happy or busy. Just before Christmas last year (a few days after I went on leave for Christmas), my main restoration partner in this enterprise, my dad Glen, was killed in a workplace accident. I toyed with the idea of selling my trucks, as I could not envisage continuing the restoration effort without my Dad (who encouraged me to begin in the first place and has helped and supported me every step of the way).

Now, however, as time has passed and I've had time to think, I'm more determined than ever to successfully restore these trucks to their former glory. I think Dad would have wanted that. I'll have to learn a lot more new skills to do this, as I relied on him for a lot of the technical aspects I never had (I'm good enough at dismantling the trucks, not so good as restoring and putting them back together). It's going to happen though, I guarantee it!

I have something of a plan in place to facilitate this. The first step (when I get back from up North) is to have a clean-up and stock-take of the ridiculous amount of rubbish I've managed to accumulate surrounding this restoration (with a view to getting the scrappy out here) and have a general clean-up and maintenance period of my trucks. Next is to use funds gained from the sale of my car to finance a shed (which has long been on the agenda but not necessarily viable) in which to store the trucks and gear. Once this has taken place, I'll have a much firmer foundation upon which to base my restorations and also will be conserving the trucks much better than they currently are under tarps out in the elements.

Looking forward to consulting the accumulated wisdom of this Forum once more on the technical problems which will inevitably arise and keeping you up to date on the restorations.

[Ganmain Tony]

Toby!!

Good on you mate, great to see a post from you on MLU again...

I am informed from time to time of what you're up to by one Mr John Mackie..

Congrat's on completion of your Arts Degree, that sounds like a very interesting topic and one I look forward to bending you ear on at some stage.

I was very very sorry to hear about your Dad. I did meet him while you were away at the Academy.

Stoked you're going to continue with the trucks - you're welcome in Ganmain anytime...

If I can help in any way or if you just want to come over for a tyre kick... please feel free.

[hrpearce]

Hi Toby,
I spoke to your Farther on the phone and he was very proud of you. I know you will miss him, I still miss mine at times and I lost him to old age so it was expected.
Fortunately Blitz's aren't all that technical so restoring them is mainly a time and money thing. Stay safe on the seas and I look forward to your next lot of photos when you start again.

[Howard]

G'day Toby, Long time no hear!
You were the subject of discussion at Corowa, I was wondering how you were getting on.
I too was saddened to hear of your Dad, it is one of those times in your life that always effects you, I hope you coped OK.
And, YES! Boar into the trucks. And as Tony said, look us up next time you are roading it home.
Cheers
H