Hollywood Montage

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Ok its time for one of those fast forward bits where all the work gets done in the blink of an eye.
Apologies in advance as I no longer have all my progress photo's, so am making do with the dregs.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

1st pic is december 1996. Brought the truck of Bruce Wiltshire (sadly no longer with us) who had used it for a donor vehicle for his gun tractor. It had been owned by Tim Vibert way back who had fitted it with a bofors 40mm, before it went trough a variety of owners, losing all the good bits along the way.1/2 a seized motor, 1/2 a cab, gearbox/t'case full of water, the only good bit left was the winch and most of the rear fairleads.
Found a cab that was originally the Tooma No2 fire truck, before ending its working life on a farm at Tintaldra, after one too many brake failures. Not a straight panel left, and the drivers door hsd to stay on the farm as it was part of the family history. Pleased as punch to get that home.
Hand stripped EVERY part of the truck, with the exception of the cab floor frame which I had sandblasted, found what I could, made what I couldn't (notable find was an engine cover under a tree in the mountains, and a front fairlead in a trailerload of "Chick" stuff at a swap meet...$20) Bought another truck so I could workout how to put it all back together and had a dozen or so promises of a drivers door ( in as many years) before I had the good fortune to run into Rick.
By this time I had a running 216 but decided to go for a 235 for the better oil pressure system. went through 2 of them to get one runner.
Due to finacial constraint, the truck was put together with whatever bits I could afford to do at the time, so the motor went in after the cab was finished, and I never got to do the test drive of the rolling chassis around the yard sort of stuff, so it was a most nervous yours truly who ventured out on the maiden voyage last weekend, all the way to top gear.
12 years, 2 more kids, a replacement dog, a few grey hairs.
All in the blink of an eye....
Rich

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Not only do we have the "Before and After" pics, couretsy of Keith, I also have this "Before, Before" pic. Think it was in the 70's, pretty rough and ready conversion, but must have looked great from this distance, still have the wooden cutout cab sides on a shelf in the shed
Rich

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

Ok its time for one of those fast forward bits where all the work gets done in the blink of an eye.
Apologies in advance as I no longer have all my progress photo's, so am making do with the dregs.

Richard...
In the picture of the engine the fuel pump is mounted upside down...
The sediment bowl should be at the bottom...

[Barry Churcher]

Alex, have you been into that fermented grape juice again? Maybe you were thinking of the fuel filter or maybe a V8 Chebby.
Cheers,
Barry

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Barry Churcher

Alex, have you been into that fermented grape juice again? Maybe you were thinking of the fuel filter or maybe a V8 Chebby.
Cheers,
Barry

Barry...
Isn't that a flat head Ford..??

[lynx42]

Well done, Rich.
Good to see it on the road at last. How did it go? No wheel wobble? No unnecessary noises?
I know the feeling when you get something on the road for the first time. Makes you want to start another!! Maybe not.
How's Mojo? Feeling a bit neglected? Well not for too much longer.
Regards Rick

[BSHEVLIN]

That's a nice centurion tank turret bin on the back of that truck