Chev 6 Seater Utility

[Euan McDonald]

I have a chev 6 seater rear guard if anyone wants to build a replica 😃

[Wayne Henderson]

Thanks for the photos, keep them coming

After I finished the frame I sealed the timber with a primer and undercoat.
All joints were screwed together along with a locally produced wood epoxy.

I had major doubts about the rigidity of the construction as the whole thing swayed side to side. Fears of tearing itself apart off road.
But I was faithful to the original construction method so pressed on.

The original tin sheeting was too far gone to reuse,with the exception of a few corner sections, so I had new sections folded up locally. All the flat sections were easy but the inner wheel arches proved a bit harder. I think these were made up using a Jenny Wheel (?).

[Keith Webb]

Incredibly impressive, Wayne!

Originally Posted by Wayne Henderson

Thanks for the photos, keep them coming

After I finished the frame I sealed the timber with a primer and undercoat.
All joints were screwed together along with a locally produced wood epoxy.

I had major doubts about the rigidity of the construction as the whole thing swayed side to side. Fears of tearing itself apart off road.
But I was faithful to the original construction method so pressed on.

The original tin sheeting was too far gone to reuse,with the exception of a few corner sections, so I had new sections folded up locally. All the flat sections were easy but the inner wheel arches proved a bit harder. I think these were made up using a Jenny Wheel (?).

[Wayne Henderson]

A local sheet metal bloke made up the outer sheet steel from exact copies of my original parts.

"No, I don't want 10mm folds, I want 3/8ths"

He also put me on to the wonders of ISR 70-05 adhesive.
Brilliant stuff to use and strong beyond belief.

I nailed the sections on one at a time taking care to stay true to the original nail holes.

The long curved top sections were rolled up to fit and nailed in place.
I added one sheet of steel across the top as per the original and once nailed on all worries about rigidity stopped.

[Wayne Henderson]

Blasted the chassis and it all went back together well. New spring bushes, a king pin kit from the US, all the original side steps, original wheel bearings and a partial engine rebuild. Gearbox was good and like new inside.
Replaced all brake and fuel lines, new wheel cyl kits and cleaned up the brake parts.

Fitted the front cab and roof to the rear section, bolted at the front nailed at the back, not a big fan of how this was done and it is the weakest part of the body so I made a few unseen improvements in the join.

Starting to look like a truck at last.

You can now see the fuel tank and filler cutouts in the floor.

[Keith Webb]

Looking fantastic Wayne, excellent workmanship.

[Wayne Henderson]

Thanks Keith, lots of time thinking things out from the few photos that survived.

The original tail gate was cactus but good for reference only.
The Ford tailgate had upper latches that were accessible from the outside to aid in opening, Chev's didn't...

The bottom hinges are beyond agricultural in design but original as are all the hooks and hardware.

There was another Bren Gun mount in the centre of the tail gate but not fitted on the original vehicles from the few photos I have. I hazard a guess that this would have got in the way when using the tailgate in the lowered position as a table or bench. Also being testicle height may have been a factor.