1944 C-15A-Wire-5 Restoration

[RichCam]

As with anything over 70 years old, it takes longer than anticipated to "get 'er done" but the exterior window, window screen and interior sliding windows are now complete and installed on the Wire 5 box. Jim and Steve did a great job rebuilding rusted frames, forming new ones, freeing up mechanisms and restoring latches and sliders. The interior of the box is going to be restored by the new owner. Not shown are the 5 black out curtains and interior louvers for the roof vents.

[RichCam]

Attached are some pictures of the present state of the exterior of the Wire 5 Box. I have to mount the No.19 radio antenna storage tube and the new owner is going to install the sliding step underneath. Unfortunately, the box did not come with the lower stowage racks. I am going to assume that these were removed when the box was originally mounted on the trailer to provide adequate clearance. I should be able to mount the box on the C-15A chassis this Wednesday or Thursday for a test fit. Will follow up with more pictures.
Regards,

[Dennis Gelean (RIP)]

Thanks for posting this, love to see pictures of the black out curtains. the spare tire holder is the correct one. 2 cmp seats were used in the van bolted to the floor. I have a original ws19 radio table but need plans for the slide out tray the holder in the front is for a fold up table that was supplied with the penthouse. the devil and the money is in the details.

[RichCam]

Guys, it has been a busy summer and I'm spent a good portion of September on the Wire 5 project. We had problems with the HEI coil and electronic ignition/distributor system on the 250 engine. I pulled it out and replaced it with a more traditional mechanical points, distributor and coil. Next, we couldn't figure out why I kept loosing acceleration, especially under load. We discovered a major vacuum leak in the carbutor so I pulled that out too and replaced it. Now the engine runs tickety-boo. Smooth idle, no smoke and much more simple plumbing - just the one vacuum line to the vacuum advance.
With the chassis running properly, it was time to lift out the Radio Box this morning and get it on the frame!

[RichCam]

So, the C-15A originally was retrieved from the Minett area, the Wire 5 Radio Box was retrieved from a junk yard in Emsdale. I'm not sure if these two components were ever together but if they were, it would have been 70 years ago! Even if they weren't together, the Wire 5 Radio Box fit onto the C-15A chassis like a glove. Once it was U-bolted in place, I took the unit out for a spin! Does it ever ride NICE! 35 mph, 4th gear, 1/2 throttle - lights on, windows and vents open. After over 2 years of work, it sure is FANTASTIC to go out for a drive! Many thanks to Jim, Steve and Scott for their help with this project!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Rich,

Congrats on the restoration - sure looks great!

Hanno

[Robert Bergeron]

Great achievment Richard !

Congratulations for a job well done.

Cheers.


Robert