Cross channel raiding
 

Congratulations to Andy on his new Toy!!!!! :cheers:

Now the question what do you restore it as?
 

Hi Andy and Tony

My question is do you restore it as what it started life as or do you restore it as what it has been for nearly 70 years. Either choice is good.

Looks to be a fine example of a careful conversion to civilian use. Do you have any idea of how long it was an active wrecker?

What ever you decide keep us posted.

Cheers Phil

The question
 

I agree, which way to go, the work carried out back in the late '40s was to high standard, the crane is a Ernest holmes twin boom, the weight plate, which is a GM Canada one, states the weight at 10,000lbs, this would seem uprated for C15A.

All of the running gear has been well maintained, and is still showing copius amounts of grease and oil, and all works as it should.

The cab is in extremely good condition with only surface rust, no welding needed!

I intend to get the engine running first, just to find out the condition of engine, drive train etc.

I am trying to find out the holes in the history, what we have so far is it has been in a barn for over 30 years, it originally came from a Renault dealer in Ghent Belgium. I am uncertain if the conversion was carried out by the garage, for the garage or was done and put up for sale, still searching on that.

It seems to be a 1944 build but haven't managed to get any more accuracy than that.

Very nice purchase. It was for sale at Jaap Rietveld if I remember correctly.
I agree with Phil, but personally I would go for back to WW2 specs.

good luck,

Alex

Moving on...
 

After 30 years in a barn, it's hard to believe, but after a bit of work, flushing fuel system, old fuel no doubt, cleaning points, cap, leads, new plugs a quick by pass of the wiring, and it burst into life, on all 6!

Oil pressure was very low, 6psi, so that called for a bit more of a look, finally found a blockage on the filter screen going to the pump, mutton cloth bits.
The engine had had some work done on it before being put away, the cross hatch is clear and good on all bores, con rods actually look new.

Clutch works, transmission gets all gears, PTO works fine, oil pressure now up to 40psi.
Just a few issues with the brakes to go.

You have got to respect this old technology, a 6v system that still works, an engine that still starts and a clutch that hasn't stuck, and it's 68 years old.

Andy,

good job rescueing that C15A. When I first posted it on this forum I was afraid it could be broken up.

So what are you going to do? Seems you have little trouble getting it running. Then use and show it for some time while you find the missing parts to rebuilt it back to original configuration?

Regards,
Hanno

chev blitz
 

Wow, what a truck!
My 2 cents says restore it as it is. It looks fantastic.

The old girls willingness start sounds like it like it's new home
 

Hi Andy

These old Chevy engines always amaze me, they just want to run.

Cheers Phil

Hanno
 

Hi Hanno, yes that is my initial plan, sort out the mechanical and electrical side, get all the running gear up to standard and then decide.

I am awaiting a reply back from the recovery and towing museum in Chattanooga Tennesee, they are doing a bit of research on the twin boom holmes crane on the back, this will help find out when the conversion was done. The quality of the conversion is outstanding, the front wings are made of a single sheet, no joints, no welds and no filler, the coachbuilding on the rear is also to a very high standard, thinking to the costs involved in all the body work and sourcing the crane from America, seems highly expensive, surely there must have been cheaper options, buy a C30 or C60 wrecker, I am sure that size was the main issue, still...

I have been following your finds with great interest, they are appreciated, gives a good coverage, thank you.

Had a little drive in it today, just to turn around, lovely. Will be the last for a while, brakes are coming apart, need to get in there and sort out, I know these won't respond as well as the engine did.

Is resleeving of the master cylinder the only option, it is beyond honing, (however did hone out just to test the rest of the system, and got a good pedal, just not much braking), are master cylinders available?

Regards

Andy

Kind words.
 

Hi Phil, I hope so.
The TLC is just starting, I want to be driving on the road this summer, 2014 would be good to go on the Normandy run, however the bright orange may not be welcome. All though a petal in a sea of green...

Regards

Andy

Mr. Gosling
 

A message for James, who found the C15A, took me to see it and then used his truck to recover from Belgium, who was the second buyer if I hesitated, and still is.

Thank you

Not many people are generous with there time and seek no reward, you are a gentleman in the true meaning of the word.

See you Monday.