Restoration update

[Jim Davis]

thanks for the comments guys, we finally got the glass for the windscreen the other day. The passenger side frame was worst for wear so we decided to get it done first, and had no problem at all, moved on to the nice smooth drivers frame and .... it was 99% in, then CRACK Thankfully its a small crack in one corner. Anyways a little bit of character is good for an old girl like a blitz.

We're not sure what tray we'll put on it, depending on whats cheaper and or easier to make we might go with a timber or steel tray, probably won't do the drop sides, but will try to keep the proper look. The frame of the truck has been cut back to the rear springs at some point so our tray probably won't end up normal length.

If anyone has some photos or info on the types of trays and the differences between canadian\australian mods, and when steel predominantly took over from timber etc that would be a great help for our decision making.

I'll try to post some photos next week too, but it'l be using the slow internet at home so bear with me.

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Jim Davis

If anyone has some photos or info on the types of trays and the differences between canadian\australian mods, and when steel predominantly took over from timber etc that would be a great help for our decision making.

Hi Jim
I see yours is a mix of dates but if your vehicle has 6" steering ends the appropriate body type would be steel, like the one on this C60L.

[Jim Davis]

Hi Keith, thanks for the info, we have the larger type steering but we also have the smaller type steering box, its a bit of a hybrid. From memory the older parts of the truck are 42, and the latest 45. Would the tray of the body be all steel?, or was steel plate placed over a timber bed?

Here are a couple of recent photos. The windscreen wipers now work, they just need arms. Starting work on the side curtains, we had one frame that looked original so we've copied it for the other door.

[Bob Carriere]

.........but if your vehicle has 6" steering ends .......

Hi Keith

Are you implying that some early (43-44) C60 or F60 in Australia had small C15a front axles eggcups.........four bolts on top instead of six on the larger units.

Curious because we did find some 1945 Autralian contract C60L in Canada that had the smaller C15a front axles and some were shod with 10:50 x 16 tires....

We passed it off as being factory assembeled with left overs at the end of production as the war ended.

Enjoying the warm weather I assume.

Boob

[Keith Webb]

Hi Bob

What I was saying was only the very early (1942) cab 13s here had wooden GS bodies (as well as wooden spare wheel carrier toolboxes) and these early Fords in particular had the lightweight steering as a hangover from cab 12 production. That is why for example Australian No 8 and 9 FGTs for example had light steering ends.
I have not heard of Aussie contract C60Ls in Canada like that - interesting...
I thought the only ones with 16" wheels were the 30cwt medium wheelbase vehicles used for ambulances. But interesting to hear about and you could be right assuming they were left-over production.

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Are you implying that some early (43-44) C60 or F60 in Australia had small C15a front axles eggcups.........four bolts on top instead of six on the larger units.

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Keith

I have pictures of at least half a dozen such Australian contracts..... all built within a 6 week period in Sept 1945.......all had small 16 inch wheels and small C15a front axles......and all long wheel base...... some had round gauges some had the old early civvy instrument cluster...... and obvioulsy none where sent to Australia as the hostilities drew to an end.....

Bob C.

[Keith Webb]

They must have been made from spare bits because in Australia Holden built complete cabs and bodies - only the chassis components were shipped for cab 13s.
Love to see some pics.

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Hi Keith

I have pictures of at least half a dozen such Australian contracts..... all built within a 6 week period in Sept 1945.......all had small 16 inch wheels and small C15a front axles......and all long wheel base...... some had round gauges some had the old early civvy instrument cluster...... and obvioulsy none where sent to Australia as the hostilities drew to an end.....

Bob C.