Autoblinda 41 restoration

[Stephen Tegner]

Hi Gents. I just wanted to let you all know that I am busy restoring our museums Autoblinda 41, it is a really interesting process so far, I am taking a lot of pictures along the way recording the process. Unfortunately the gearbox is missing the gear shift lever and control box, this is a smallish box that is bolted onto the actual gearbox, otherwise the engine seems pretty complete, it has the magneto, carb and so on. If anyone can put me in touch with someone in Italy that might have spares avialable please let me know. Many thanks.

Steve Tegner
Workshop supervisor
South African Museum of Miiltary History.

email: stephen@tegner.me

[Lynn Eades]

What is an Autoblinda? Photos please.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

What is an Autoblinda? Photos please.

I think it is an Italian WW2 armored car

[Lynn Eades]

It should be good!
Auto = Good (it has wheels)
Blinda = bloody fast, flash of inspiration.
I eagerly await a photo.

[cliff]

found this photo on a Google Search from http://www.ww2incolor.com/italian-fo...agForward.html

[Lynn Eades]

She's not bad looking. I thought the Italian vehicles of that era were not very "suave"
I imagine there wouldn't be too many Autoblinda survivors?
Stephen, How does an Italian armoured car end up in a South African museum?

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Stephen - she is a beauty. Never seen or heard of one but I would be interested to see images of what you are restoring as I know everyone else will as well.

Bob

[Haridimos]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Stephen, How does an Italian armoured car end up in a South African museum?

The AB 41 armourd car was used by the Italian Army during World War II in the terrain of North Africa. The one at the Museum must be a battle survivor.

I found two interesting photos on the net, an Autoblinda during its service at N.Africa, and a wreck in a desert inviroment.

[Stephen Tegner]

Hi all, yes that is indeed how it looks. I will see how to go about posting pics on this site, perhaps I should upload to photobucket first and then import them. Anyway I'll definitely give you all the full gen as it progresses. Well, as to how it ended up in SA, after WW2 there was a victory drive and this was part of the gift that was given by the commonwealth to the Union of South Africa, as it was then known. We also have the only remaining ME262 night fighter left in the world as a matter of interest.

All the best
Steve

[Haridimos]

Steve, we are looking forward to see pictures of the "before" condition of the vehicle. Try to use the simple keys of the message board!

As for the M-262 of the National Museum of Military History, it seems that the S.A. aircraft has at least 7 to 8 other brothers, according to THIS.

kostas.

[Stephen Tegner]

Ah well, there you go, another illusion shattered.

Steve

[japes]

There is a restored autoblinda in a private collection in San Marino. The owner also has a running Italian medium tank and a small tankette with the coolest trailer. Search for Italian tanks and Pordenone and you will see them on youtube, quite different from what we're used to seeing. I believe the owners last name is Temeroli but I've never had any luck connecting with him. Good luck.

J.P.

[Stefano Ruggeri]

Steve,
I've only just come across this thread on the AB - a wonderful vehicle. I've had a couple of rides in one and it's fantastic. If you still need Fabio Temeroli's number please get back to me and I'll get it for you. I don't know how brilliant his English is but I'm sure that we'll sort something out. BTW, another AB is being restored by Edoardo Ansaloni in Bologna. From my knowledge of him he wouldn't sell spare parts even if it was to save his grandmother's life but you never know I suppose...
Stef

[Stephen Tegner]

Hi Stefano and gents. Stefano yes please if you could assist me in any way possible I would greatly appreciate it. My knowledge of AB41's is unknown, I am feeling my way trying to do as little damage as possible during the stripping. I have taken between 800 and 1000 digital images during the stripping just to document the rare beast. Only recently I was struggling to remove the wheel hubs (brake drums) from the axles, fortunately I succeeded in the end I'll post pics now that I have adsl at home so this will make posting images easier. Anyway if you could please email me on:

stephen@tegner.me

Or I could email you?

All the best
Steve.

[Stefano Ruggeri]

Steve,
Have sent you an Email with Temeroli's contacts.
Cheers,
Stef