Willanthry Chev Blitz C60L Restoration

Willanthry · #1 25-05-09, 13:12

According to the plate on the dashboard, this other cabin's details are as follows:
Chassis Model: WO96
Cab Model: ??
Chassis Serial: 3-8443-61358M
Engine Serial: PR3 946 470
Order No: SM-E52-448
Date of MFG: 3-10-44 AUS M

There's nothing stamped in the Cab Model section, nor any trace of anything having been stamped there, strangely enough...

Keith Webb · #2 25-05-09, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willanthry

According to the plate on the dashboard, this other cabin's details are as follows:
Chassis Model: WO96
Cab Model: ??
Chassis Serial: 3-8443-61358M
Engine Serial: PR3 946 470
Order No: SM-E52-448
Date of MFG: 3-10-44 AUS M

There's nothing stamped in the Cab Model section, nor any trace of anything having been stamped there, strangely enough...

Yes a C60L. And WO 96 was 'Truck, 3-ton garage Aust'. Built in Melbourne too.

Bob Moseley sent me info on one built about a week earlier in the same configuration: 3-8443-61308 M PR3946264 SM-E52-448 26 9 44 AUS M

Willanthry · #3 27-05-09, 10:37

Well, after much frustration, we've managed to remove a Fire Brigade modification from the Blitz; a rod set in one of the canopy frame holders to hold a spotlight. It's been set in rubber, and would not be moved by persuasion or brute force. We welded a bolt to the top of it so that we could wrap a chain around it and give it something to grab on to, and we then lifted the rod out with the tractor. Believe me, the truck was almost half a metre off the ground before the rod yielded and came out. In the end, human ingenuity prevails!! :P

Now the trick will be removing what's left of the rubber from inside the canopy holder...

And in breaking news, I've managed to locate the original canopy frame itself that went with this Blitz! It's also located on "Willanthry", and is doing service as a damned trellis! Luckily, the modification is not extensive, and if i could persuade the owner to part with it, i may gain it for my truck.

Willanthry · #4 10-06-09, 04:18

Yesterday, I managed to score the presence of the great John Mackie for a day to aid in my restoration. Myself, my father Glen and John spent yesterday pulling apart the spare engine we acquired with the Blitz, to see what sort of condition it was in. As you can see from the photos, one of the valves has been left open, and because the engine has been in the open for so long, water has slowly but surely infiltrated one of the piston sleeves. However, using John's expertise and honing tool, we've given her a bore out, and may be able to get away with it. The rest of the engine is in magnificent condition; the crankshaft is in amazing condition, all the pistons are fine apart from the number 2 piston, which has suffered from it's inundation, and we may be able to clean up this engine and get it running ourselves without too much undue expense. Lucky eh?

As you can see, we also scored rain yesterday, hence our makeshift shelter out the front of my dad's shed...

Willanthry · #5 04-07-09, 03:53

Well, the work on the radiator is finished, and i'm extremely happy with it. The core is fine, the radiator didn't leak even before we got it done up, the tank has been beaten back into shape and it's come up very nice under a coat of paint! All in all, very happy indeed!

Willanthry · #6 14-07-09, 03:24

I received the word from the people i bought my Blitz from that the canopy frame that belonged to the Blitz had been transformed into...a bird cage! Thus, in the interests of keeping the Blitz as original as possible, i acquired the canopy. The catch, of course, was that it was in the condition that you can see in the photo below. After a day's work and much cursing, my dad and i freed the canopy, and we've got it home.

Also, i'm posting a couple of pictures of the extra spare tyre carrier on my Blitz for a member of this site named Peter.

Does anyone on the site know which way around the canopy goes on the tray, out of curiosity?

Mike K · #7 14-07-09, 07:00

Truck 3 ton Garage.. The trailer is just for interest ...its a seperate item.

Howard · #8 14-07-09, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willanthry

Well, the work on the radiator is finished, and i'm extremely happy with it. The core is fine, the radiator didn't leak even before we got it done up, the tank has been beaten back into shape and it's come up very nice under a coat of paint! All in all, very happy indeed!

Toby,
Who did your radiator, and how much?
HH

Phil Waterman · #9 14-07-09, 14:34

The Pioneer Kit mounted above the rear wheel sort of surprised me. While common to US equipment of the period I don’t remember see these mounted on CMPs. Was this a common thing, or was this an example of equipment moving around either in ones and twos or we had a shipload of them and decided to use them?

Cheers Phil