"HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY" to my Albion chassis No. 361A

[Private_collector]

Hey, I know that truck!
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Looks even more impressive in person.

[Mike K]

Rick

Do you have the acetylene headlights fitted to the Albion ?

FJ Holdens, yes they were a cheap first car back then , usually could be got for around $50 or less . I remember going to help somebody pickup a FJ sedan, it was ten bucks .

[Bob Carriere]

.....when enlarging the pictures for details I notice spare fuel cans....3 on each side..... that look very similar to the WW II POW cans.....

Is it correct to assume that the origine of the CMP 2 gal Petrol-Water-Oil can go way back to the Big War??? How similar are they in size and construction??

Very nice restoration by the way.

Cheers

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

.....when enlarging the pictures for details I notice spare fuel cans....3 on each side..... that look very similar to the WW II POW cans.....

Is it correct to assume that the origine of the CMP 2 gal Petrol-Water-Oil can go way back to the Big War??? How similar are they in size and construction??

Very nice restoration by the way.

Cheers

Hi Bob C., Mike K., Tony B., Robert P., Hanno S., Wayne H. and Phil W.,

Thanks you all for your comment about my Albion.

Bob, The 2 gallon cans go back to about 1908 or there abouts. In those days there were next to no service stations and you purchased your petrol from the chemist. The cans were the only way to buy it at that time and you will see cans on the running boards of many veteran and vintage cars.

Here is a photo of my 102 year old 1914 Talbot with a red can from the 'Big Tree Motor Spirit' company, a New Zealand company which imported motor spirit (petrol) into Australia in 1914.

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The cans are pretty well made and of a thicker material than the ones found on 1970's Australian army vehicles. They are almost identical in size. There are hundreds out there still from the early days. I have about 30 or so but not too many are of a military origin. The Vickers machine gun in WWI and WWII also used them for cooling water.

Regards Rick.

[Bob Carriere]

I see you are not new at working on old machines.......

Wonderful restoration on that Talbot.

Bob C

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Hey, I know that truck! Looks even more impressive in person.

It's even more impressive on the move Tony! I recall my first encounter while driving through Corowa - upon exiting the roundabout my progress was blocked by a large green contraption travelling at an unhurried 10 mph. I sat close behind all the way to the caravan park, totally mesmerized by giant spinning sprockets and flapping drive chains!

Later of course as I became fully acquainted it struck me what a truly historic vehicle this is, and what a visionary project on Rick's part way back in the '70s, when everyone else was into jeeps! Congratulations Rick and HAPPY BIRTHDAY 361A

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[Lionelgee]

G'day Rick,

Happy Birthday for the Albion. A pristine restoration, one that you can be very proud of.

Were you able to trace the Albion's military service history and whether it went to any battlefields?

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Keith Orpin]

Hi Rick, (and Jill)
Thoroughly enjoyed the pictures and description of the find and rebuild of the Albion, reminds me of recovering my Dodge from a scrapyard back in 1977.
So, happy 100th birthday Albion.
Best regards
Keith

[lynx42]

Thanks all for your kind words, Jill, my spanner hander and No.1 girl found this letter which I had misplaced years ago. It has more of the Albion's history from an old bloke I met years ago. Michael K. died 15 years or so ago so I am glad the letter was put away safely. Thanks Jill.

You can see the winch in the as found photos in post 1. The right rear of the chassis had the right rail pushed across towards the left chassis rail and I had to replace the rear cross member as well as straighten the chassis and get the sag out as well.

Regards Rick.

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