Another C60L Restoration

[Mike K]

Not sure if these pics are of the 4 wheeled machinery trailer or the truck

The drill press is seen in pic 1 , in the foreground is a metal shaper

BTW I dont know how they managed to machine anything accurately on a lathe mounted on a flimsy floor in a truck . Lathes are extremely sensitive to any deviation in uneven floors . Mike

[Mike Cecil]

Couple of point to note:

The canvas side curtain bag looks like it is for a Ford (used pegs, not a bar) and for late pattern Australian side curtains for de-mountable '44 pattern doors. Check the depth of the bag (front to back) and see if the top closes with a set of side curtains with the longer door mounts for the steel doors. The small pocket on the front is for the driver's handbook, etc. Fords with standard cabs with steel doors did not use side curtain bags: they used wooden floor mounts and a rotating bar mounted about half way up the back panel in the centre.

As indicated in Mike's posted images, the Aust CMP Machinery trucks came in something like 20 different configurations of machinery and purpose. Each type was suffixed with a different letter, so a 'Truck, 3 ton, Machinery (Aust)' would have a letter suffix, such as 'Truck 3 ton Machinery, K, (Aust)' indicating a certain combination of tools, machinery, and benches (so, more than just the fixed machinery). So, if you are going to equip the vehicle with machinery, etc, then you'll need to choose which configuration you want to build (unless the machinery body has some obvious pointers as to what it was originally?)

The steel log book holder originally had a shaped, leather top flap closure.

The wide back seat, as Keith pointed out, is a late pattern Australian seat and common to both Ford and Chev (but 'invented' by GM-H at Woodville). More comfortable than the standard, but the term is, of course, relative!! Comfort and long distance Blitz driving are like combining 'military' and 'intelligence'!

The body was a nice find. Was it 'local', maybe Elphinstone? I think I recognise it! These were generally built at the GM-H Special Body Plant at Fisherman's Bend, Melbourne. This plant afixed a large brass plate to the lower wooden coaming on the rear, but they are mostly long gone. The bodies were migrated forward to 2-1/2 ton Studebaker US-6 6x6, then later to the 5-ton International F1 6x6 (often mistakenly called a 'Mk.5').

Nice truck. Will look good, and you are not wasting any time, that's for sure!

Mike

[Tony Mathers]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Couple of point to note:

The canvas side curtain bag looks like it is for a Ford (used pegs, not a bar) and for late pattern Australian side curtains for de-mountable '44 pattern doors. Check the depth of the bag (front to back) and see if the top closes with a set of side curtains with the longer door mounts for the steel doors. The small pocket on the front is for the driver's handbook, etc. Fords with standard cabs with steel doors did not use side curtain bags: they used wooden floor mounts and a rotating bar mounted about half way up the back panel in the centre.

Thanks for that, I was thinking of using it only as a pattern anyway, but now I know it has value to ford blitz owners, I may be able to swap it for other parts.

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

As indicated in Mike's posted images, the Aust CMP Machinery trucks came in something like 20 different configurations of machinery and purpose. Each type was suffixed with a different letter, so a 'Truck, 3 ton, Machinery (Aust)' would have a letter suffix, such as 'Truck 3 ton Machinery, K, (Aust)' indicating a certain combination of tools, machinery, and benches (so, more than just the fixed machinery). So, if you are going to equip the vehicle with machinery, etc, then you'll need to choose which configuration you want to build (unless the machinery body has some obvious pointers as to what it was originally?)

I don't suppose you have a list of Australian workshop configurations? I have the Bellona Handbook 3, which lists the English / Canadian configurations, is it the same?

I think it may be a fitters truck, because the ladder fitting was on the side. But that is a uneducated guess.
Before I replace the floor, I had better map out all the empty bolt holes, but I suspect when they replaced the floor to fit it to the Inter F1 all the heavy machinery got shuffled / replaced.

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

The steel log book holder originally had a shaped, leather top flap closure.

The photo doesn't show it to well, but the flap is still there.

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

The body was a nice find. Was it 'local', maybe Elphinstone? I think I recognise it!

A full 10 points for that answer..

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

These were generally built at the GM-H Special Body Plant at Fisherman's Bend, Melbourne. This plant afixed a large brass plate to the lower wooden coaming on the rear, but they are mostly long gone. The bodies were migrated forward to 2-1/2 ton Studebaker US-6 6x6, then later to the 5-ton International F1 6x6 (often mistakenly called a 'Mk.5').
Mike

Brass plate is long gone, but this body spent time on the blitz and the inter F1, I don't think it was on a Studebaker as the wheel well hole isn't big enough. (going by the one at Bandiana)


Thanks, all this is great information (But I need lots more) sorry if I am too greedy.

[Keith Webb]

Thanks for that, I was thinking of using it only as a pattern anyway, but now I know it has value to ford blitz owners, I may be able to swap it for other parts.

Like a Chev gearbox?

[Mike Cecil]

The canvas side curtain bag: it's only of value to Ford Blitz owners who have 44 pattern Aust cabs with canvas doors.

Mind you, that sounds like a worthy trade, Keith: Chevie boat anchor for magnificent but slightly delicate Ford canvas product.....

I'd be surprised if the body had not spent some time on a Studebaker. The Studebaker US6 was the deployable truck type for overseas service from 1959 through to the intro of the 2 1/2 ton International No.1 Mk.3 in the mid-1960s. The full suite of required configurations were built onto the Studebaker, including the workshops. By the time the 6x6 Inter F1 came along, the only workshops still in service were mostly on Studebakers. It is possible it bypassed this phase, but I think the odds are against it.

In any event, I'm really glad it is now at a good home and getting some TLC: it spent way too long behind the shed in the weather (along with a rare pump/water purifier trailer body). The owner simply had no room to get them under cover.

Mike C

[Tony Mathers]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

The canvas side curtain bag: it's only of value to Ford Blitz owners who have 44 pattern Aust cabs with canvas doors.

Mind you, that sounds like a worthy trade, Keith: Chevie boat anchor for magnificent but slightly delicate Ford canvas product.....

I am visiting Keith this afternoon...

I'd be surprised if the body had not spent some time on a Studebaker. The Studebaker US6 was the deployable truck type for overseas service from 1959 through to the intro of the 2 1/2 ton International No.1 Mk.3 in the mid-1960s. The full suite of required configurations were built onto the Studebaker, including the workshops. By the time the 6x6 Inter F1 came along, the only workshops still in service were mostly on Studebakers. It is possible it bypassed this phase, but I think the odds are against it.

You may be right but the wheel hole is only big enough for one wheel, the Studebaker workshop at Bandiana had a wheel well big enough for both wheels.

In any event, I'm really glad it is now at a good home and getting some TLC: it spent way too long behind the shed in the weather (along with a rare pump/water purifier trailer body). The owner simply had no room to get them under cover.

The rare pump/water purifier trailer body is still outside along with a WWII generator trailer that I just don't have the time (or money) to restore. (I was offered it)

[Mike Cecil]

If the wheel well is only one wheel wide, it didn't spend time of a 6x6 F1 either, so must have been sold off prior to, or soon after the change over to the Studebaker in 59-60. (and they were not mounted on 4x4 2 1/2 ton Mk.3)

My guess is it was sold originally on a Blitz, but the joker who purchased it wanted another body type (tray?) so ditched the workshop body. Good that you will not have to alter it back to the blitz configuration, and it also means the bolt holes in the floor should align with a given Blitz WW2 machinery type.

Mike C

[Matt Austin]

G'day folks,

This piqued my interest...

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

...The body was a nice find. Was it 'local', maybe Elphinstone? I think I recognise it! These were generally built at the GM-H Special Body Plant at Fisherman's Bend, Melbourne. This plant afixed a large brass plate to the lower wooden coaming on the rear, but they are mostly long gone...

Mike

My International K5 has such a plate. I removed it, cleaned it up, (as it was coated in flaked white paint) and primed it in grey, for now. I don't know if they're easy to find, but it could be replicated.

Attached is a pic, which may be of some interest.

Cheers,
Matt

[Tony Mathers]

Thanks Mike I will be patient..... maybe

I have owned a copy of Armed and ready. Industrial development and Defence of Australia, 1900-1945 since it was published and I remember reading the trials and tribulations of trying to get enough machine tools during wartime.

Hence my query about that old English lathe.


Matt that plate looks awesome.... dammm something else I have to find.

[Tony Mathers]

I did manage to visit Keith last night, and as well as a few lovely trinkets, I got a lovely front for my truck with working and complete air vents as well as the bottom half of a gearbox.
Looking at the newly acquired gearbox made me realize my original gearbox had a extra growth hanging out the side.


restore 32.jpgrestore 33.jpg

Can anyone tell me what it is?

[Lynn Eades]

You are referring to the PTO ?(power take off unit)

[Tony Mathers]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

You are referring to the PTO ?(power take off unit)

Ok yes probably - what would it be connected to? this was a supply truck.

Thanks