A little light entertainment: 1939 Ford 1 ton Utility restoration

[jack neville]

That worked pretty well but it got a bit loose at the end of the arc so I jammed some timber in to tighten it while I trimmed one end and dressed the edge. A little heat was needed or the tight spots.

[jack neville]

So far it is coming along nicely.

[Mike K]

Very nice work , a little patience and thinking and it all works out

[Ganmain Tony]

Nice work Jack..

When you say 'Carved' how did you shape the timber?

I'm sure you weren't sitting there whittling with a pen knife

Incidentally, what's the thickness of the sheet metal you're working with?

[jack neville]

Thanks lads.

Actually Tony I used a bit of old fashioned method. Spokeshave and a speed file.

[jack neville]

I also have 1940 and 1941 models of these 1 ton utes that I might get to one day. I need a few more bits for the current body as it is lacking military fittings having been a rear body off a civilian model. Today I took the back off the 1940 model. You can see it has been made a bit wider and has been extensively modified over a hard life. But it will contribute quite a bit.

[Mike K]

I know of two of those battery staff utes being restored in QLD , the 39 model that J Belfield had and a 40 model owned by Danny Stanton. I've seen a few of the V chevron tread 700-17 tyres around , I think Olympic made a batch of them in the 1960s ... the late Ken Morris had them fitted on his 39 battery staff ute ... His 39 had a home made tray and a 49 engine , he bought it from a property at Jindivick for $50 , late 1970's. Ken drove it to many club outings, the ute was in a semi restored condition but Ieast it was on the road at least.