Rod Bellars collection

[Hanno Spoelstra]

M3 Medium / Grant I is interesting as it seems to be rather complete - even though it is split up over several lots.

NOTE: This unit was complete however has been disassembled by the collector with relevant parts being advertised in this auction. Lloyds Auctions have attempted to provide images of parts relevant to this unit however are not representing that the tank is complete. Lot Number 1016 in this auction is the removed turret and parts to match this tank. We are continuing to source matching parts.

Lot 1003 is the hull: https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/LotD...31&lid=3330164

The corresponding turret is Lot 1007 (not Lot 1016 as indicated by Lloyds Auctions). The turret hatch is Lot 1014. There is a set of tracks and a gun shield in the auction too.

Original US registration number is USA W-3010491, if read correctly.

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Original US registration number is USA W-3010491, if read correctly.

Joe DeMarco added this info and shared a photo of Rod:

Yes, that looks like the one that is up for auction.
Rod found the corresponding Serial Number 3856 stamped inside where the dataplate would have been.
He also reported the Brit WD Number from under the paint layers as T-25746.
His Lee would have been accepted at Chrysler in June 1942.
Counting heads, I think it would have been one of the last Chrysler Lees built with working doors.
It was shipped from the US and would have arrived in Australia before the end of 1942.

Rod was a tremendous source of info, although his texts were somewhat elusive as they were unpunctuated, stream of consciousness and peppered with Aussie slang. It took me a while to figure out that "dog's bowls" were ventilators.

Our friend Jim Goetz visited him.
Here's a photo. Rest in Peace, Rod.

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

M3 Medium / Grant I is interesting as it seems to be rather complete - even though it is split up over several lots.

Lot 1003 is the hull: https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/LotD...31&lid=3330164

The corresponding turret is Lot 1007 (not Lot 1016 as indicated by Lloyds Auctions). The turret hatch is Lot 1014. There is a set of tracks and a gun shield in the auction too.

Well that’s great, the auction house states “ **NOW INCLUDING TURRET AND CANON**”. But what the auction house actually includes is a Staghound Armoured Car turret. I cannot fathom why they do not include the M3 Grant turret that’s up for auction as that would enable the buyer to put the tank back into a proper configuration.

And oh, the bidding stands at AUS $97,000 with 6 days or more to go.

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NOTE: This unit was complete however has been disassembled by the collector with relevant parts being advertised in this auction. Lloyds Auctions have attempted to provide images of parts relevant to this unit however are not representing that the tank is complete. Lot Number 1016 in this auction is the removed turret and parts to match this tank. We are continuing to source matching parts. This tank was driven by the collector onto the drop deck trailer for transport back to his property.
Top 73mm cannon and assorted parts for reinstatement are now included in this allotment.
9th Feb updated the 73mm top gun assembly and mounting parts have had photos uploaded which will be included in the sale. Items specific to this Lee Tank, will be included in the sale when the purchaser collects this item. This will be done in conjunction with a Lloyds Staff member.
**** It is worth noting that a new/unused DC3 9 Cylinder Radial engine as used in this Lee Tank is available in auction Part 13, Lot 217 ****

[Bob Phillips]

ON a similar note, the radial engine offered for sale looks like an early C1 engine with the cast aluminium cooling fan. It is absolutely not the type used on a DC3 and I can hardly understand why a reputable auction company would not have put a little more effort into doing their homework before offering goods up for sale. A similar thing occurred at the Littlefield auction where all manner of mixed vehicle parts got lumped together in job lots.

[rob love]

The auctioneers are not lifetime collectors, and sell everything from soup to nuts. I see the same thing at a lot of the lesser gun auction houses.....it does no favors to the consignors.

I do see where on some of the lots, the auction house changed the listing as a result of someone more knowledgeable sending in a correction. But in many cases, the potential buyers will leave the mistake, hoping to ward off other buyers.

I think the guys who will do the best are the ones who could actually go to the auction house and see what is in the bottom of some of the box lots.

If the problem with the turret was pointed out to the auction house, I have no doubt the Staghound turret would get moved out of the M3 listing. But it would appear the M3 turret is doing rather well on it's own, so hard to say if the turret listing would disappear and move over to the tank.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by rob love

If the problem with the turret was pointed out to the auction house, I have no doubt the Staghound turret would get moved out of the M3 listing. But it would appear the M3 turret is doing rather well on it's own, so hard to say if the turret listing would disappear and move over to the tank.

You're right, that Grant turret does rather well on it's own at AUD $37,110 at the moment. Rod's relatives should be happy, the sale of his collection will bring in some good earnings.

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Source: https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/LotD...31&lid=3330168

[Andrew Rowe]

So what did the Carrier sell for?, I see they do not list the prices once the total auction has closed, so if you do not write them down at the time you miss them. I saw it had got to over 53K including buyers premium , but still had 5 hours to go, Cheers.

[rob love]

I was also disappointed when I looked at the previous nights auctions to see the prices disappeared. Although from a different country and hemisphere, it is still a great reference for prices.