New to the Shilo Museum:WW1 Cadillac Ambulance

[maple_leaf_eh]

Why does the last photo make me hum the theme music from, "The Beverly Hillbillies"?

[rob love]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Why does the last photo make me hum the theme music from, "The Beverly Hillbillies"?

Blasphemy!!!

Actually, I have hear that a lot. Once the wood is back on it, and the tarpaulin manufactured and in place, it is going to really look like something. The tarpaulin and canopy over the driver give the WW1 trucks a real personality.

[rob love]

So have made some progress thanks to 12+ hour days. Just about to wrap up a 14 hour day now. Still have two days to go before I have to drag it over to the main museum for a display on the Somme. Just about all the woodwork is done, I still have to assemble the bows for the cab along with the header bow. Also still have to make a tie rod between the two headlamps so I can hang the 1912 license plate (which of course would never have made it to the Somme, mind you neither did this truck).

That should leave me a whopping full 24 hour period (who needs sleep after all) to manufacture a tarpaulin. I have a brand new Juki waiting in the textile room, along with a great selection of "common sense" turnbutton fasteners. But I have to admit time is getting tight. Of course, the bosses want to see the upholstery done too, but unless they invent a day between Wednesday and Thursday it isn't likely going to happen.

Anyhoo, here are some shots. It will get a final paint to even up all the touch ups in the morning, so hopefully the smell of fresh paint will be gone by the Friday opening, although it may well be masked by the excellent smell of new canvas.

By the way, I did take a shortcut by making the back door out of oak plywood, as is the firewall. The sides are all tongue and groove, as are the front doors, but the rear door was made up of about 8 pieces, and I am just too exhausted.

[cliff]

fantastic work.

[rob love]

Thanks Cliff.

I have to admit to lowering my standards near the end. When I was redoing the running boards, I ran out of 5/16 square nuts. I have used no hex nuts or hex head bolts during the entire project, unless they were original Cadillac. However, I ended up using 5 hex head underneath the left running board. Is it any wonder I can't sleep nights now.

I have since found 5 square 5/16 nuts that I could use, but have not found the 20 minutes required to rethread them and install them.

[Wayne Hingley]

Looks very nice Rob. Great work. Im sure it will be a real attention grabber with the crowds, once on display. I look forward to seeing it in person one of these days.

[Paul Dutton]

WOW, what a fantastic find and preservation. It looks stunning. A credit to you and your team.