Two T16s to restore

EricF · #1 03-07-12, 16:29

We are two slightly beyond middle aged guys in western Missouri that have two T16s that we are finally restoring. Like most of the restoration projects I have been watching, there are parts missing like bins, appropriate gas tanks and a few sections of armor. Our linkage is rusted and much of it needs replacement, and of course plumbing looks dreadful. At least one of the vehicles is the Swiss import, but the other was stripped down to bare bones, primed and waiting to be brought back to life. It might have been one of the ones that was in Canada. Unfortunately we had to spend several years just getting things ready to start the actual process of restoring them. We had to build a large enough work shed, complete with concrete floor that was poured by both of us alternating one wheel barrow load at a time. Our shed won't be seen in Better Homes and Sheds magazines any time soon, but it finally does allow us to do what we been anticipating for several years. We've been watching David Gordon's unbelievable restoration project since he started back in 2007. His work has been a wealth of reference for us, and we'll continue to refer to his efforts to help us with ours. We've also kept an eye on the fast work that Andrew Honeychurch has accomplished with his T16. Andrew some of your later pictures and information on remounting the rear end are going to come in very handy this weekend, because we're attempting this ourselves. Fortunately there are two of us, so we'll either find it a little easier than you did, or there will be two guys with damaged fingers. Our plan is to offer our own pictures and narrative like David and Andrew have done. We'll be asking for help finding parts, how to get problems solved and look for any other recommendations you are all willing to offer. Wish us luck! Eric & Glen

maple_leaf_eh · #2 03-07-12, 16:33

Ah, the sickness spreads! Run NOW! Before you lose yourself!

horsa · #3 03-07-12, 18:55

It’s all good therapy and will help keep you young

Rod Shaver in Arizona made a run of fuel tanks and he bought a bunch of the lockers that go above them when we did that production run. Might be worth seeing if he still has any since it would save you having to reinvent the wheel on at least one part of the project.

Look forward to seeing pics and following your progress.

eddy8men · #4 03-07-12, 21:50

as a fellow t16 restorer i look forward to watching your project take shape. good luck with it

rick

EricF · #5 03-07-12, 22:31

These are the original photos of our two T16s. The one without tracks is the one we are currently restoring.

horsa · #6 04-07-12, 00:03

Yep, both hulls show evidence of having done Swiss service. That will account for the lack of internal lockers and fuel tanks since they ripped everything out when they converted the vehicles into APCs.

You'll have to jump through most of the same hoops I did while putting my carrier back into British configuration if that's the ultimate goal.