Wanted: Chev Blitz C15A North QLD

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Crane trucks often have modified/butchered chassis due to the strain and forces that they were not designed to cope with.
Vendors idea of complete maybe very different to your own.
All trucks were running when last used.
From the pics, money could be spent a lot wiser.
If you are going to search so far and wide, it does open your options up. Here is a comparison for location, condition and price: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/WW2-Army-...p2054897.l4275

Sale may be over by the time you look, but the pics and info will give you an idea. (not to mention the vendor is on MLU)
Rich.

[Private_collector]

Luke,

I do agree with Richard. $2000 is a lot for that condition. Heaps of rust holes means HUGE effort repairing, or more likely, further searching for replacement parts. Dents are a relatively easy fix. A bit of gentle persuasion, and a little filler, all fixed. Rust holes are a major time waster, and a real big pain. Even worse, they will be expensive if you need to pay pros to do the job.

Can you give us some information on what areas of expertise you guys have. What restoration or repair experience do you have, or are wanting to learn? I guess what I'm wanting to know is, what things will you need to pay other people to do.
CMP as found 1.jpg Front end installed 1.jpg Front signage 1.jpg passenger door repair 1.jpg Engine with external parts test fit 2.jpg
The above photos are of various stages of my rebuild. The 'as found' photo, does not show that I also got a almost intact cab and some rather rare parts, such as original side curtains (I had new ones made from the remains), spare tyre rack, tool box, etc... I have spent over three years solid work, and a couple years very little work, to arrive at being roughly 60% done. I know you have more people to work on yours, but I think you can get substantially more for $2000. If you don't do better initially, you may be up for much, much more later on. Even worse, you could lose interest if things stall for want of usable parts.

Incidentally, the engine you see in the photos, is a buildup of all new mechanicals, block, water pumps, carburetor, distributor, etc, etc.... If you want to piddle away cash, follow my lead. If are clever, you will use my actions as a WARNING, and avoid what I have done. It would be embarrassing to admit how much money has been sunk into my engine. I should have gone to a hotrod shop and reversed their 'modifications'.

Beware of the 'it ran a while ago' engine. I bought a Ford Sidevalve from a supposed fellow enthusiast/restorer which was supposed to be a "good, rebuildable engine". When I removed the heads, entire engine was solid with rust and full of water. If you don't get to hear the engine running, best to assume it's stuffed! If it is knackered, you won't be surprised. If it isn't bad at all, that's a big bonus. Mind you, if swapping it for a later engine, who cares anyway. Check the chassis VERY WELL for cracks and bad welding any time in last 70+ years. Some trucks were absolutely flogged to death, and chassis often showed this. Mine was shortened, but salvagable, though not without specialist welding first. That said, I haven't finished the truck, so it's not been tested yet!

Please don't feel we are discouraging you, Luke. In fact, it's quite the opposite. All the folks here are motivated to encourage and assist where possible. I can only speak for myself with the next statement. I feel there are better vehicles for that kind of price.

[Tony Mathers]

I will add to what Tony Baker has said:

From my recent experience, you will save yourself a fortune if you buy a $10,000 going concern as compared to a $1 -> $3000 almost going blitz.

You would be shocked when you get all the bills to get one running... and then there is the time it takes....


But if you have the time and the money, go for it as it is an excellent and rewarding undertaking.

Tony

[Private_collector]

A mate of mine had this truck advertised on ebay, for $6000.
dsc_0781-resized-960.jpg dsc_0782-resized-960.jpg dsc_0785-resized-960.jpg dsc_0783-resized-960.jpg dsc_0885-resized-960.jpg
It is not exactly original, but had been altered in ways to make it a practical and reasonably comfortable vehicle to go travelling in. He has swapped the sidevalve V8 for a modern diesel of greater reliability and function. While not bodily restored, it is quite rust free and sound. All the mechanicals were rebuilt to ensure trouble free motoring. As were brakes. The electrical system is exceptional. The truck sat unloved on ebay for weeks. Knowing the owner, and the standard of work that he put into it, I struck a deal and bought it for myself. It will be a fun project, as I make visible changes (hopefully, improvements) to return it to a more military look. The bridge plate, serial number, and military division symbol on the front, are only temporary, until I get around to a color change. Since buying the truck in March/April, all I really needed to do is put fuel in and turn the key. Had some interesting experiences in this truck, that's for sure.

Deals like this come along now and then. If I had bought this truck in 2010, I would have put all my efforts into it alone, and saved myself a lot of hard work! Well, maybe not, but my point is with a running, drivable vehicle, you can work on it while still enjoying the use of the toy. That way you get to do restoration work AND enjoy the benefits straight away. Just a thought.

[Luke Jackson]

Thanks Tony. I think your $6000 truck is probably the sort of thing I'd like to eventually end up with.

I guess I don't have much experience with any restoration on trucks. I do a bit of motorbike work, and I know my way around an engine, but I honestly have never welded or anything before. I do have some engineer mates and a boilermaker or two in my circle of mates-of-mates.

Budget is also a bit of an issue. The upfront cost of a runner is out of my price range, so that's why I was looking for a cheaper entry point and sort of lay-by it up to a working state. Like you say though, projects make you pay one way or another.

I'm making some enquiries in Charters Towers (an hour west of me) and in the local area, so I suppose I'll just keep on plugging along.

I was chasing a blitz primarily due the engine being relatively accessible and the chassis etc looking pretty simple. I thought it'd would be a good intro to car mods without totally butchering something into a hotrod or whatever.

The advice I've gotten from MLU has been very supportive and I definately get that while everyone is enthusiastic, no one wants to see a newbie get ripped off

[Private_collector]

I was talking with a fellow restorer and 'blitz sniffer' today. I swear he can smell the damn things from miles away. Like the child catcher from Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang, but not creepy! Anyhoo, he told me about a pair of Monkey Face CMPs and some cab13 Chevrolet ones he came across out west QLD a while ago. Sounds like they might be reasonably complete, and the farmer owner is keen to get rid of em. My friend will see if he can contact the owner for me, to find out if they are still there. While I don't have any further information on these vehicles, they might be worth a thought. I have asked for photos, if possible. I believe they are located in vicinity of Augathella. If any further info is forthcoming, I will hand it on. My friend has no interest in Chevs, so didn't give them any thought while he was there retrieving a vehicle for himself (I'll post photos I took today, on my thread soon) and a nice sunshine cab roof for me. I write this post after just returning home from a ~700km round trip, with another trailer load of parts.

[Luke Jackson]

Thanks Tony, definitely pass them on. Its fairly remote, but closer than Victoria. I've made some enquiries that might bear fruit a lot closer to Townsville, however, so I'll let you know. It's good to see that they do come out of the woodwork when you poke around!