Ford blitz ambo project

[Keith Webb]

I remember the excitement of those times very well. Of cranking the F60L up an incline of blocks so we could experience a few fleeting seconds of it in motion... The funny thing is the first experience of riding in a real, live blitz for both of us was a C15A Sigvan belonging at the time to John Shaw who bought it from disposals in Alice Springs and used it as a camper van with the internal wall moved back to allow for a second seat. It now resides in far north Queensland in the Sid Beck collection.
The writing you can see on the photographs was my best attempt, and sometimes I was lucky to be allowed to use my father's typewriter which I felt was most professional.

[Tony Wheeler]

Funny you should mention the Sigvan Keith, I was only thinking about it today. I was remembering that first drive one Sunday morning, when John took us off road in a gully off Deep Creek Road in Mitcham. I remember it like yesterday, but I couldn't figure out how we both fitted in the seat. I'd forgotten he'd moved the wall back and put in a back seat.

What prompted me to think of that Sigvan was the realization that our first drive had been in a Chev. I then tried to recall our first ride in a Ford. I think you went out in Cowley's F60S tipper one day, but I suspect my own first ride in a Ford may have been as the underage driver of my own blitz!

[Keith Webb]

Well remembered Tony! My first Ford ride was indeed in a F60S tipper. I have the spare wheel and also a spare NOS radiator from that vehicle, purchased from Warwick a couple of years ago. I had to pick them up from Strabane Avenue.

Here's the F60S:



Link

And the Sigvan - as we set out for Mitcham with Tony in the background...

[Keith Webb]

And here's no ordinary picture, it is the first of thousands of CMP images I have taken since 1970. It is one of two Cab 12 F60Ls at that mill.

[Keith Webb]

This was a very rare thing - colour reversal film was so expensive I hardly ever had any, but I remember buying a roll of Agfachrome for the special event.



You can see an excited Tony on his bike as he arrived from work at Harry's Shell garage. I waited quite a while for this pic.

[Keith Webb]

Taken around the time Tony got his first blitz I think, maybe even on the same roll of film.

[hrpearce]

Hanno we need a new sub-forum "reminiscing for the over 55's"

[Tony Wheeler]

Keith lashed out occasionally and bought a roll of colour film, so it can now be seen that my second blitz was red! The first one was yellow BTW, but having no colour pics you'll just have to take my word for it!

This pic shows my second blitz in the final stage of dismantling, prior to clean up and paint. In evidence too is our mode of transport - although Keith being a year older than me was possibly driving by this time.

[Tony Wheeler]

Great pics Keith, some of which I don't recall ever seeing before.

I must learn how to post images in the message body.

[Tony Wheeler]

First pic shows the chassis from my second blitz newly painted, having been shortened from F60L to F60S wheelbase.

Second pic shows final engine fitment, which as mentioned earlier was the only time we used lifting gear of any kind.

Remaining 3 pics are pretty much self explanatory.

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

Keith lashed out occasionally and bought a roll of colour film, so it can now be seen that my second blitz was red! The first one was yellow BTW, but having no colour pics you'll just have to take my word for it!

This pic shows my second blitz in the final stage of dismantling, prior to clean up and paint. In evidence too is our mode of transport - although Keith being a year older than me was possibly driving by this time.

No need to take your word for it, here it is in glorious colour taken during the tear down.

[Keith Webb]

Here's another taken before it was towed. I have some more somewhere with the Bedford used to tow it and also one of your dad bravely steering it while under tow.

I think I may still have those odd headlights somewhere.

[Tony Wheeler]

Wow, those colour pics sure trigger the memory neurons!

[Tony Wheeler]

First pic shows the final stage reached, with only the bumper yet to be fitted. Good roofs were scarce even back then, so to keep out the rain whilst parked I rigged up a makeshift canvas top supported by a flimsy wooden frame.

With the project now driveable I came under increasing parental pressure to move it elsewhere, so they could finally retake possession of the backyard. Arrangements were made to park it in a sawmill in Wesburn belonging to a fellow blitz enthusiast, who owned a C15A at the time. Second pic shows preparations for towing; third pic passing through Yarra Junction; fourth pic at the sawmill in Wesburn; final pic on first test drive in nearby mountains.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Tony - I can just visualise two freckled faced kids forty years ago on their treddlies haunting all the Blitz sites. But more importantly we need to get together so you can tell us some real dirt on our mate Keefy.

Bob

[hrpearce]

I had to have a last drive before removing the transfur case for repairs.