Oh no.....bought a CMP! Chev C8 cab 11

Alex van de Wetering · #1 08-02-08, 15:14

I am happy to say that I have finally made the step from scale modeling into the 1:1 Military Vehicle world. Last Saturday Dirk Leegwater and I agreed on the purchase of a Cab 11 Chevrolet C8 restoration project, which will be delivered to our new house in March.

Over the past few years I was able to find a lot of information for my modelling projects on MLU and hopefully equally helped others with pictures and information. The line between 1:1 vehicles and scale modelling became thinner and thinner and slowly I was running out of excuses not to buy a MV myself. When my girlfriend and I bought a new house last November; space was not an issue anymore and a more serious information quest began. I do have some experience with restoring Italian classic cars, but heavy military stuff is new for me. A certain Scottish individual suggested I’d buy a carrier, some Dutch individuals suggested I’d buy a CMP truck. I studied options like the Austin Tilly and a British or Canadian 8cwt. In the end I chose a Monkey face restoration project.

Below you will find a few pictures of the C8, which featured on MLU before; it spent several years in Elliotts yard Ontario, before making the jump to NWE, 60 after its brothers!

A big thanks to Nick Bullock, Dirk and Stefan Leegwater, Nigel Watson, David Moore, Max Hedges and Tony Smith for answering all my questions over the past few weeks/months. I am sure I have lots more when I start the restoration, as a lot of techniques are new for me.

The Chev does have to wait a little before the restoration will start; I have to finish my girlfriend’s Fiat Giannini first.

By the way, I will still keep on scale modelling. In fact I am currently building a range of CMP masters for a Belgian modelling firm.

cletrac (RIP) · #2 08-02-08, 16:32

That's a nice truck you've got there. That original wireless box is hard to come by. I lucked out finding one for my C8. If you have any problems just ask and I'll try to help out. Most of the info I've accumulated on the C8 is already posted on the forum somewhere.

Phil Waterman · #3 08-02-08, 23:22

Hi Alex

Welcome to the insanity, you do know of course one CMP is never enough keep us all posted on the course of your insanity oh I mean keep us posted on progress with the restoration.

Cheers Phil

aj.lec · #4 09-02-08, 01:03

congratulations alex

Even better you got a chev

well done and good luck

Hanno Spoelstra · #5 09-02-08, 21:50

Congrats, Alex!

I look forward to you and the Chev moving practically into my backyard.

Hanno

austin tilly · #6 11-02-08, 21:27

Hi Alex,

Congrats! Great to see that another CMP will be restored in Holland

Cheers,
Arjan van der Hoek

PPS · #7 15-02-08, 01:46

In the "unusual" (

) manner of off going off-topic, what is the model in the wall cabinet - right hand side, second up from bottom?

Paul.

Nick Bullock · #8 24-02-08, 18:17

Hi Alex
better late than never, heres a picture of something I think you may need!! I have kept hold of it for years just in case... This could well be the case!!!
Well done on the purchase they're great little trucks..
regards
nick

sapper740 · #9 24-02-08, 19:30

Congratulations Alex, welcome to the club! Restoring a CMP should be a cinch if you have had experience restoring Italian cars. My mother had a '70's vintage Fiat 124 that gave me fits trying to keep it running for her. Derek.

aj.lec · #10 24-02-08, 21:35

I could do with that chassis in Australia

I dont think it would fit in an air parcel though

Nick Bullock · #11 24-02-08, 21:48

theres a c15, c8 and c8a chassis in the picture, I have promised the c8 chassis to alex, the others are free to a good home. I have been threatening to cut them up for a long time but just don't have the heart, lucky for alex as it happens!
regards
nick

cmperry4 · #12 24-02-08, 22:25

Looks like you've got lots to work with there - I've tried to winkle a C8 hulk from a place near me, but last time I looked, the guy still had it.

Alex van de Wetering · #13 26-02-08, 17:16

Quote:

Hi Alex
better late than never, heres a picture of something I think you may need!! I have kept hold of it for years just in case... This could well be the case!!!
Well done on the purchase they're great little trucks..
regards
nick

Hi Nick, good to hear from you and thanks for the picture of the chassis. It shows once again how great the MLU world is....I never imagined that a spare C8 chassis would be available anywhere in the world. I still have to work out how to get the chassis to Holland.
The chassis of my C8 is definataly the thing that worries me the most. Nick you have already seen these, but for the MLU-ers I attached some pictures of the "modifications" made to the chassis by one of the former owners in Canada. There is a chunk from the left and right chassis rail and a chunk from the gearbox crossmember, certainly not something I can fix myself.

Derek, yes.....let's just say I am familiar with rust

Andrew. Before Nick saved me with the spare chassis, I looked on ebay and did find some replacement crossmembers on Ebay USA. Maybe that's something for you to consider. I think I have saved the seller's name, so I'll let you know.

David. I am not sure about the strap. In about a month I will have the C8 at home and will take more detail shots.

Alex