Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

You will see they match perfectly to the wooden dash and door cappings Tony will eventually fit ...

Perhaps Tony can wear clogs to drive it too.

[Private_collector]

I didn't think of a wooden dash. That would be nice.
Perhaps in burl walnut!

I have worn clogs......once, when in Amsterdam. I was gonna buy a pair but couldn't get a wallet to match.

As for the timber used for rifle cups, you know I didn't think to ask. I was really quite overwhelmed by the craftsmanship and it slipped my mind. I have asked the fellow to call in here and have a look at the CMP for himself, which he assures me he will do in near future. I will be sure to ask about the timber when I see him then. In some ways I wish he hadn't done such a good job of the cups, and I would have no issue with painting them. Give me a few weeks to get used to the idea and they will no doubt turn green, but I just can't do it now. It would seem a little disrespectful to hide all the beauty and effort that made em. Maybe I could 'accidentally' knock one, causing a blemish I would have to hide. Naaah!

I remember when I was first told that the Chevs had a wooden steering wheel and Fords didn't, I was disappointed. The wood steering wheels look great, if restored well. I will have to make do with having the bland old plastic one tarted up. Come to think of it...............what the hell is it made of? I really don't know.

I'm hoping to get sufficient materials to make two new side curtain frames, tomorrow. If the passenger door is on this weekend as planned, and I have the frames made and checked for fit, I will take them to auto upholsterers next week and give the 'go ahead' for work to begin. It will be a milestone to have them on the newly restored doors.

This weekend I am going to see a 'free' trailer with a usable axle and wheels. If suitable, I can proceed with removing both front & rear ends, in readyness for sandblasting. Transfer case will come off prior too. If the side curtain manufacture starts soon, I will wait a while for chassis work, on financial grounds. The 'kitty' is getting a little light.

[Private_collector]

pyrene 1.jpg pyrene 2.jpg pyrene 3.jpg
Never a 'dull' moment.

[Private_collector]

passenger door finished 1.jpg
Passenger door is now on. I made three shims yesterday, just in case I needed some. I actually used four in total. Same old story about top hinge hitting door edge, same old story of door front edge hitting windscreen support frame, and thats despite the frame pack being insitu. All these problems now overcome.
rifle cups finished 1.jpg
Rifle cups and fire extinguisher installed.
cab covered 1.jpg
With the last of the floor bolts tightened and ready for painting next weekend, I put the cab to bed for the week.

[Private_collector]

side curtain frame new 1.jpg side curtain frame new 2.jpg
Got the two side curtain frames made. One nearly completed, needing only a strip of metal along rear edge. The other one, just a bare frame. The attachment points will be made for that one next weekend (I ran out of metal bar). They are very easy to make really. I could have gotten away with making only one and using one original, but the original one was a bit tired and would have taken more time & effort to repair than to replace!
door curtain frame jig.jpg
That jig worked as I had hoped. Only one cut required once bending completed, and after that cut the ends are ready for welding, which occurs in the jig also.
engine hatch 1.jpg
The engine hatch is to be sent for sandblasting tomorrow. It was lucky that the plate screwed over this hole was thick enough to be used as the repair patch, when I get it back from blasting. Hopefully that will be next weekend!
What would you need to access behind the hatch that was so important as to ruin it. Maybe it's for a speaker

[Howard]

Good work, Tony, You are an inspiration...
Thank you for the detailed posts!
H

[Private_collector]

Well, it's finally here folks! The above mentioned book that I had long since given up for dead.........or at least lost in post [lost in space]! The mystery of delay was revealed when I saw it had actually been sent 'surface' AKA sent via SEA, with all the lengthy delay that goes along with it. Last thing I received by sea was a vintage parachute which was far too heavy for air. It took less time to arrive than this book, and had 6 or 7 different kinds of packing tape, where it had been opened & inspected by each port/customs along the way.

In addition to the book itself, there is also the original letter of thanks to the factory worker this was presented to. I believe these were ONLY produced in sufficient numbers for each of the wartime Ford factory and associated support services workers. That would make this a very rare book indeed. Anyhow, enough of the talk, and more of the photos.

I have chosen 15 pages to post here, with a cross-section of appeals. As they say...."something for everyone"....possibly.

Ford 1.jpg ford 2.jpg ford 3.jpg ford 4.jpg ford 5.jpg

More to come!