Carrier for sale in the US (ebay)

Dinty · #1 24-01-09, 07:48

G'day All, I'm not sure whether this has been posted before today my apologies if it has http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other...1%7C240%3A1318 cheers Dennis

RichardT10829 · #2 24-01-09, 19:41

Yeah Dinty it has been psoted up by kevin Powles in the carrier section buddy

Stewart Loy · #3 26-01-09, 17:32

Folks,

How about a Carrier for sale?

Quote:

1942 BREN GUN CARRIER

Due to other interests I have decided to sell my 1942 Ford Bren Gun Carrier. I was told that this carrier when to the ETO and saw combat during WWII. It has two bullet holes that I asume are original. Beside the camo paint job and unit markings which were done by the previous owner she is all original . All the drivetrain is original and runs very well. starts and runs very well. All the armour plate is original with Ford stamps and broad arrows. There are tons of marking and dates on the plates and brackets. I'm sure I have not seen all of them. I believe the paint on the inside is original. This may be the most original and complete carrier around. It will come with all of the track tools and many accessories such as hand tools smoke grenade discharger, very rare antenna, even rarer Boys anti-gun mounting brackets (not installed) fire extingiushers extra track section, tarp and many other impossible to find items. The engine is the original Ford flat head V-8 that purrs like a kitten.
Please Note, the dummy Bren gun, Enfields, helmet, wire cutters, motar , Piat , Webley and web gear are not included, but may be available to the byuer However evrything that belong with the vehicle will be included.
This is a rare opportunity to own an original WWII tracked vehicle .that is sure to climb in price without spending a fortune I am advertising this vehicle on other web sites and reserve the right to end the aucion at any time. Due to the amount of fraud I will only accept cash in person. Vehicle is sold as is where is. I will help in loading anyway I can and will also store it inside my garage where it presently resides for a reasonably amount of time.
Check out these videos on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF2Ia1SVvUM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUlSR-_fg1s

I have no connection with the seller.

Stewart

Hanno Spoelstra · #4 26-01-09, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewart Loy

How about a Carrier for sale?

Gee, seems to be the Carrier Season . . .

They are dropping from each and every tree!

H.

RichardT10829 · #5 26-01-09, 17:44

yeah hard times on the economy are forcing folk to let go of them, problem is there are less and less people who can afford the luxury of buying WW2 armour

the first ebay one has zero bids with a matter of hours to go, if that had been say four months back the bidding would have been crazy.

i am very interested in the second one that has been posted, very nice indeed.

Richard

RichardT10829 · #6 26-01-09, 19:48

just asked and the reserve is set at 30k......? fingers crossed for the bloke but i have my doubts.....mind i am a pesimist

rob love · #7 26-01-09, 20:09

CT163013 was my first carrier. The lower hull came from stead Manitoba, the power train came from Nipigon Ontario, and the upper armour came from 2 or 3 different carriers located in Northern Ontario. The bullet holes were most likely from hunters, although one of them was a fair size caliber. I used to use the bullet hole to mount a spare sprocket onto the side of the carrier. There were certainly no markings anywhere to indicate that any of the carriers involved in this build had been overseas. The side armour had DND numbers on it vice the CT number one would see overseas. I even have a card somewhere around here with the numbers on it. The armour was all bolted on with carriage bolts, I can't tell by the photos whether they have since been replaced with rivets.

I had a lot of fun with that one, and drove many veterans in parades with it. I believe it has had a few owners since. I traded it for a ferret back around 1998. $30K is a bit steep alright, but it was sure a fun vehicle.

I have thrown a bid onto it for old times sake, but I am certainly not prepared to throw half a years wages at it.

Jordan Baker · #8 27-01-09, 05:36

I seem to remember seeing some pictures of it posted here a few years ago. I think the owner at that time was Steve Katner (similiar spelling). Don't know if its the current owner or not. Looking over the pictures it looks to have the shield in front of the drivers seat for all the linkages. Be nice to see some more pictures of that.

30k is a bit steep but then who am I to set prices. I guess the world market we all share will show what it will go for. Mind you I can be cheap

(Im cnd after all) but I do buy quality.

Stewart Loy · #9 27-01-09, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Mind you I can be cheap

(Im cnd after all) but I do buy quality.

Jordan,

Your new bank account will be delighted to know how much quality you will soon have.

The C15a tarp sample is at the canvasmith as of yesterday, so get ready. The tarps and covers should be ready soon.

Stewart
in MD

rob love · #10 27-01-09, 21:49

My old carrier is up to $14,400 now, with lots of time to go. While this carrier, in it's present form, is far from as complete as it once was, it should still give a pretty good indication of what a carrier will sell for these days, even if the reserve price of 30K is not met. More and more I am starting to feel better about the ebay carrier I bought 6 years or so ago. You don'e pay too much, you just buy too early.

Someone paid over $100K for a poorly restored jeep with a couple dummy guns on it at one of those big car auctions the other day. For that kind of money the buyer should have got one, and maybe even two or three of the best of the best MVPA show winners. But these days there are people with far more money than time.

cletrac (RIP) · #11 27-01-09, 22:20

The first one went for $5800. Did anyone we know get it?

horsa · #12 27-01-09, 23:20

I'm surprised the carrier without top armour sold so cheaply when compared to the wrecks that got that much money a few months ago. While this one wasn't perfect (what there was anyway), it did run and that alone should have made it worth more I'd have thought.

Rob's old carrier may not be a truly fair test of the market if it doesn't meet reserve. Reason I say that is the seller could have a friend bump the price along to edge it closer to reserve without meeting it. People on this forum could do the same if the $30K reserve amount was factual and so bid without fear of a financial obligation.

Guess we'll know in a week if someone really wants it bad enough. But they'll miss out on the fun that goes into working on their own project.

rob love · #13 28-01-09, 00:34

The first one actually tempted me. In part for the running powertrain, although the engine did not appear to have the oil cooler outlets so may not have been original, but rather for that nice 166 link track.

I agree with David about the fun of putting one together. There are, as far as I am concerned, several fun stages to a carrier (and most antique vehicles at that).

First is the initial purchase, and the daydreaming of what you are going to accomplish.
Second is the big easter egg hunt for all those little missing bits and pieces. This can take years, but each find or ebay win gives us the little adrenalin dose we need.

Then the third stage, the assembly. This stage is actually more like work, and is actually spurred on by the adrenalin of the cuts and bruises gained during those 2:00 late night work episodes.

The fourth stage comes when you put that final 48 hour work stretch in before some deadline, whether that be a parade or a display, and then drive it out of the shop.

5th stage will be the parades and displays where you get to hear the veteran's stories. This stage is priceless.

There are likely other stages, but I guess the final stage is seeing your carrier sell on ebay for $30,000 US, and feeling like you maybe should have held on to her for another couple years and earned a good lump of tax free change.

The carrier now on Ebay had it's first real drive after stage four down the MooseJaw hanger line to the loading dock where it drove up into the back of an MLVW and headed to Winnipeg for the VE day 50th anniversary. It drove from Kapyong Barracks via motorcycle escort to Polo Park for a display, then downtown Wpg for the parade, got it's photo on the front page of the Wpg Sun with a load of Wpg rifles vets on board, then on the Forks for another display, and back to Kapyong by motorcycle escort again. Next day, back into the MLVW for the 9 hour drive back to MooseJaw. It did close to 20 miles that weekend, and didn't even hiccup once. I worked until 3 in the morning the night before leaving getting all the lights installed just to tease Gordon Falk, who didn't have lights on his. As I was overhauling and installing the rear axle convoy light at 2am, I thought to myself that this was enough and called her a night.

Come this summer, when I am back from Kandahar, I will be putting a bit more effort into stage 3 of my present carrier. Seeing this old girl on ebay makes me miss her.

rob love · #14 28-01-09, 00:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsa

People on this forum could do the same if the $30K reserve amount was factual and so bid without fear of a financial obligation.

That is a dangerous game to play, especially if the seller lowers the reserve part way through the auction.

RichardT10829 · #15 28-01-09, 11:03

David the 30k figure came direct from the seller i have a copy of the email if its required.

I have to be the sour puss here guys, i think you would be a fool to pay 30k for a carrier, more so in todays economic climate, people just dont have that kind of spare cash lying around now, and the economy is going to get worse over the next two years, we in england will never fully recover from the recession all be it that it will get a bit better than it is now. in my area there as been in excess of 20K people made redundant. large firms are folding left right and center.
i suppose it is a buyers market for carriers, (if you want one cheap) as folk need money.

i really hope this guy gets the 30K he wants, but i was always told at the very begining when looking for a carrier "dont pay more than 17K for a US or Canadian one" and "dont pay more than 25K for a fully restored good quality British carrier" this person has many carriers but shall remain nameless.

looking at Robs old carrier it is nice yes, but it is what we used to refer to classic cars as a "Bitser" in other words its built up from bits of other vehicles ie not original and by Robs own admissions the carrier certainly has no provinence to active WW2 fighting service the guys name is Chris ? if this helps ID the owner

i am new to all this guys so if i am way off base i appologise, i meerly compare this situation to experiences with the classic motor trade where provinence and originality is everything and makes the difference from a 40k price tag to a 4k price tag.

cheers folks

Ps my comments are not intended to cause any offence to anyone who are restoring / own carriers or any MV.

Richard

horsa · #16 28-01-09, 14:36

I sure wouldn't throw bids on it just to get my name out there as one of the temporary high bidders and would also caution others against it. Just meant in the other post that it does happen and will artificially inflate the perceived market value of an item if it didn't make reserve. And wouldn't you be surprised if you bid below the presumed reserve and you saw the bidder status that reserve had been met

Richard has been doing the right thing. He knows what he is looking for after all of these months and has researched prices and the factors he'd encounter with shipping from North America to the UK. Hold out and find the project vehicle that is right for you. It's out there waiting.

Doing your own restoration, even if you farm segments of the work you can't do yourself out to a shop, will be more satisfying in the end. Rob's got the progression of stages down pretty good. Lots of highs and lows spread out over time. Works out better in the end since it gives you time for your busted knuckles, cuts and scratches to heal up.

rob love · #17 28-01-09, 14:39

I agree that 30K is nuts, and for a bitster at that. But the buyer doesn't know it's a bitster, and it is presented as a complete unit which has seen war service. No offense to the ebay sellers on this forum, but this seems to be par for the course when it comes to ebay.

The recession may take some of the guys out of the game, but there are still lots of guys out there with too much money. Quite frankly, in my neck of the woods, nobody I know has lost their jobs, and the only reason I know that something is going on is because gas is half the price it used to be. Otherwise, if I hadn't read about in in the newspapers, I wouldn't know it existed.

I see the old girl has now crossed $15,000. Still a long way to go to reach that reserve.

alleramilitaria · #18 28-01-09, 15:04

dave the wreck that sold a little while back was one of the "got to have it for my project" deals. some german unit from the peoples republic of CA. are building a 39 ford truck and want to make a tracked truck out of it. it was going to sell for what ever the asking price was. i met the guys (nice guys) when they were going to pick it up.

horsa · #19 28-01-09, 15:44

Hey Dave, I know the impulse buyer types well. Reminds me of our mutual friend who buys the golden jeeps. Bet those guys on the left coast wish they had waited for that last cut-down but running carrier for their project. Would have been a much easier conversion.

Guess you survived the latest Texas ice storm since you are posting early this morning. We only got a quarter inch of ice here overnight but it will be shorts and short sleeves weather again by tomorrow afternoon. Good thing since I have some things to paint outside this weekend.

alleramilitaria · #20 28-01-09, 17:47

had to go and chip the ice off the other halfs truck, she is from NSW and so not used to advers weather. the thing was about the other carrier was that they already had a running ford truck and so didnt even take the motor of the one they got. they hualed it back to CA with a light trailer and a F150.

yea about golden jeep boy, how many $3000+ data plates has he got now?

does he still have his $20,000 project T-16? it will look good if it ever gets finished.

stop up some time, i have added about 75 new british items to the store.
dave

horsa · #21 28-01-09, 17:54

He hasn't started work on either of his T-16 projects. But he did buy another jeep to scavange parts from.

rob love · #22 29-01-09, 03:12

My old carrier has been withdrawn from sale on E-bay. Sold elsewhere perhaps?

RichardT10829 · #23 29-01-09, 11:17

unless they got wind of this thread (prospective buyers that is) i found this place by typing "bren carrier for sale" into google and it brought up an old thread in amongst the list from this site.....

or a you say, its been sold locally to save ebay comisions etc etc

Richard

43stuart · #24 31-01-09, 18:08

I've been following this thread for some time and finally decided to register to post a reply.

I hope I will be welcomed. In regards to the carrier on ebay it did sell local and under the reserve at a reasonable price. Chris, the owner who posted the carrier for sale on ebay was not aware of the carriers past as it changed hands several times since Rob Love had it and I'm sure the "story" of it evolved with each new owner. Yes it still has the "offending" bolts but will soon have them repalced with "rivets". Chris is a reputable seller and a reasonable man who did not wish to misrepresent this carrier and he was just as interested in it's past as the new owner who reads this forum.

How do I know this? Because I bought the carrier and I'm the new owner.

I'd like to thank Rob Love for both the great job he did on the carrier when he owned it and for the information and this forum. I'd also like to thank Chris for working with me on this purchase after I showed him this thread. The carrier will go well with my Brit gear and 1942 Dingo.

By the way, although it is a "Bitzer" as someone pointed it out, it at least is a "bitzer" with original parts and armour. Show me an "original" WWII jeep and I bet its a "bitzer" with alot of repro parts like most "restored" MV's are that you find.

So..it will be headed south soon to NC and I'm looking forward to using it and showing it.

By the way, anyone headed to the 65th aniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy? My father fought there under the Polish II Corps and my Grandfather died in battle there and is buried at the Polish Cementary. If you are let me know as I'd like to meet fellow members with similar interests. I'm also on the G503 forum as well if you venture there.

Glad to see folks restoring these as "projects" "bitzers" or the exceedigly hard to find, very expensive and rare all original, not missing anything motor pool fresh mint ones they may or may not be out there.

43stuart

Hanno Spoelstra · #25 31-01-09, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by 43stuart

I've been following this thread for some time and finally decided to register to post a reply.

Hi 43stuart,

Glad to hear your bought yourself a piece of Canadian armour! And welcome to this forum. Grab a beer and tell us your first and last name, that's how we like to talk to each other around here.

Thanks!
Hanno
MLU Forum moderator

43stuart · #26 31-01-09, 21:26

Hanno,

My name is Bogdan Gieniewski and glad to join the forum! Looking forward to my piece of Canadian armour.

Hanno Spoelstra · #27 31-01-09, 21:46

Welcome Bogdan,

Congrats on buying that carrier! I think it is a great buy. I hope we will see more of it and you on here in the future.

Regards,
Hanno

rob love · #28 01-02-09, 02:27

Hey Bogdan.

You bought a fun vehicle there. If you look into the carrier section of the Maple Leaf up sight (which this forum is part of) you will find one or two photos of your new carrier shown once Jim Rice traded it from me. If you ever have questions about it, or it's history, feel free to PM me, and I can offer you whatever help or info I can. I finally have a decent scanner so I should be able to scan some of her early photos and post them. However, I will be out of the country for another 3 months, so any scanning will likely have to wait until May.

Jordan Baker · #29 01-02-09, 03:20

Welcome Bogdan

As Rob says, Carriers are a blast. There is tons of info on these amazing machines in the Carrier Section.

When you get a chance could you post some photos of the sheet metal cover that is just in front of the steering colum bolted to the floor.

43stuart · #30 01-02-09, 21:10

Rob,

Thanks! I'm currently overseas as I'm on active duty and hope to be back in March to pick up the carrier. Won't have much time to play with it as I will be headed back and will finish up in June. Appreciate any information, photos history you wish to share with me.

I'll PM you shortly

Bogdan