How To: Restoration of Ford M8 armoured car US Ordnance number 7373

[Big D]

Hi all,

Not a huge amount to report this time as I’ve been on an overseas holiday and then busy with a container load of goodies since we got back. Included in the container were some nice parts from Belgium and France (thanks to Jaap, Philippe and David) as per the pictures: 37mm ready rack, turret rear plate; some conduit, siren, NOS air cleaner; repro locker lids, oil pump, slave cylinder piston cups, and some other odds and ends.

I also managed to get hold of an air cleaner hose and headlight holder (thanks Roy) and acquired the correct driver seat (thanks Bill). With a bit of repair work the seat is now ready to fit. If nothing else, it has been a good time for collecting parts.

As far as the work on the turret goes, prior to doing some work on it, I did a wee exercise in tracking the bullet trajectories through the turret. After all the thought and discussion on whether to keep the bullet holes or not, I figured that I would keep those holes that told a story. As a result I have kept about 4-5 holes on each side of the turret where I could track the bullet through one side and then to, or through the other side. I figure that they will certainly be the basis of some discussion by observers. That was my logic anyway!

The few holes in the rear and front of the turret are now filled and the replacement pieces of turret skirt have been welded on. The skirt was going to be tricky for me as the replacement pieces I had were quite twisted so I got one of the guys in the engineering workshop to do this. It helps having the right equipment and expertise. The bearing faces that were damaged by bullets have been repaired and smoothed and the storage rack is being folded as we speak. I made up a steel block for one of the microphone hooks to go back into the turret. The other one had been cleaned out by a bullet. The replacement footman loops are also now in place. After that, we'll straighten the mounts for the gun ring and then it should be ready for a blast and a paint.

[Big D]

A few more photos.

[Big D]

Hi all,

Here are a few more pictures of the turret which is now nearly finished. The storage rack is fitted, footman loops welded on, turret skirt done, and ring mount supports repaired. There are a few bullet holes still there without the turret looking like Swiss (American) cheese. I still need to fit new dome clip buttons on the top of the turret for the canvas cover. All of the old ones have been broken off in the holes. These appear to have a thread of 10-32 so I will drill and retap the holes and source some of the dome clips with the hole in them and screw them onto the turret.

I am undecided (call it dithering) about what to do with the .50cal and the mounts. I have both a ring mount and an elevator mount with the right turret mounting plate, but have yet to decide which way to go. As you can see we have repaired the ring mount supports and I've also fitted the base part of the support for the front of the .50 cal in the elevator mount, so I am hedging my bets!

What's everyone's views about what works best? I think the ring mount looks cool and it is probably right for the year of manufacture of this M8. At the same time, the elevator mount could have its advantages.

[Big D]

Some more pictures.

[James P]

^ Damn fine work you are putting into that restoration, always a treat to look at the "as arrived" pics and see the progress to where you are today.

[David Herbert]

Obviously it's entirely down to personal choice but if it was my M8 I wouldn't go for the ring mount . I agree it looks cool but I think you will find it makes climbing in and out of the turret really hard work and the only way to stop it rusting is to oil/grease it, which gets on everyone that rides in the turret - who tend to be your guests. Another practical point is it makes the vehicle quite a bit taller which could make a difference to getting it into a building (possibly at an event if not at home base). To my eyes it also looks a bit less lean and more top heavy with the ring mount but beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

Great job so far though.

David

[Big D]

Hi James,

Thanks for your continued comments. They always help with the motivation!


Hi David,

You make a couple of really good points. Height could be an issue dependent on where I eventually store it. I hadn't considered the other comment you made about rust prevention. A very good point and something else to ponder!

Thanks gents!