Willanthry Chev Blitz C60L Restoration

[Willanthry]

Did a bit of work on cleaning up the Blitzes yesterday, particular the Ford. Found the number 3G 6926284F on the engine; considering my lack of information on the truck, I wondered if this would help to shed some more light on the truck's history? It also appears as if the truck may have been painted in desert camouflage at one stage or another, which further muddies the waters.

Another interesting feature of this truck is that both the seats can fold down. Was this a common thing for Ford Blitzes at any stage, or could these seats have been pinched from an ambulance or something?

[Keith Webb]

The 3G indicates a 1942 model. The folding seats are usually found in cab 12s but may also have been fitted to the early cab 13s.
If you were to go to the War Memorial and painstakingly trawl through the AWM 126 series of books you will find your engine number matched to a particular ARN which will tell you details of it's body type and often when and to whom it was sold after service. But it really is a needle in a haystack exercise because the vehicles are listed in ARN number and the engines are FAR from sequential.
EDIT: Just had another look at the pics on the previous page and now remember it was a Canadian import with the GS-6 body. With an approximate ARN it should be easy for you to track down.

Originally Posted by Willanthry

Did a bit of work on cleaning up the Blitzes yesterday, particular the Ford. Found the number 3G 6926284F on the engine; considering my lack of information on the truck, I wondered if this would help to shed some more light on the truck's history? It also appears as if the truck may have been painted in desert camouflage at one stage or another, which further muddies the waters.

Another interesting feature of this truck is that both the seats can fold down. Was this a common thing for Ford Blitzes at any stage, or could these seats have been pinched from an ambulance or something?

[Willanthry]

G'day all!

Well, after a solid morning's work, the Ford is now running. After borrowing a few parts off John Mackie (as well as his expertise), the big V8 roared into life, firing albeit on 7 cylinders. The engine has suffered some water damage; the original carby had to be swapped out as it bore the brunt of the water, but no doubt saved the engine from the bulk of the water. Two valves were stiff and sore, but with continued oiling and hand-cranking the engine, we managed to limber them up a bit.

We took her for a drive around the property, and she behaved superbly for a vehicle that hasn't run for so long. So now I own two running Blitzes, and indeed may need them running, if the water which is lapping at the tops of the river banks keeps rising!

EDIT: Photos added.

[Ryan]

Well done, great news, I bet you were smiling when the old girl roared to life.
Any pics?
ryan

[Keith Webb]

Wonderful to hear another old warrior come back to life, even on 7 cylinders! Keep them out of the water...

Originally Posted by Willanthry

G'day all!

Well, after a solid morning's work, the Ford is now running. After borrowing a few parts off John Mackie (as well as his expertise), the big V8 roared into life, firing albeit on 7 cylinders. The engine has suffered some water damage; the original carby had to be swapped out as it bore the brunt of the water, but no doubt saved the engine from the bulk of the water. Two valves were stiff and sore, but with continued oiling and hand-cranking the engine, we managed to limber them up a bit.

We took her for a drive around the property, and she behaved superbly for a vehicle that hasn't run for so long. So now I own two running Blitzes, and indeed may need them running, if the water which is lapping at the tops of the river banks keeps rising!

[Willanthry]

Well, it's all quiet on the Blitz front at the moment as I begin my studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. I tried my utmost to make it to Corowa, but the logistics defeated me; there's always next year, I suppose.

I did, however, manage to persuade one of the tour guides at the Australian War Memorial to let me jump under the Chev Blitz they have on display and have a look (I was in uniform; they never refuse you ).I was looking to see what the set-up was like for the handbrake assembly, but it seemed to be different again from mine, so i was none the wiser, although it was an interesting experience.

Anyway, I've got a bit of time off coming up; hopefully I can get some more work done.

[Willanthry]

Just updating my thread to keep it alive; haven't been able to do anything on the Blitzes for a while because I haven't been home long enough do anything. I have a couple of weeks off coming up in May during which I plan to clean up both my Blitzes and do some work on them. Having found a DVD copy of "The Back of Beyond" and the other Tom Kruse documentaries, I'm very much inspired to get some restoration happening.

I also have some belated photos of a Blitz me and John Mackie scouted out at Ungarie. Unfortunately, my internet isn't letting me post them at the moment, so i'll try again tomorrow.

[Willanthry]

Here we go; Note the date on the underside of the bonnet (if you can see it!)