Ford blitz ambo project

[Tony Wheeler]

Next job was to get rid of those silly little wheels, which IMO are only presentable with 10.50 x 16 chevrons, at least on a medium wheelbase at any rate. I'll need them for the ambo eventually but in the meantime it will be an F60S cab and chassis, which means 20" wheels.

With the backyard being rather soggy I drove around the front and parked on the driveway so as to use the jack (pic 1).

I think you'll agree the 20" wheels are a big improvement. Radiator went back in to allow for extended driving and I set off into the backyard again. Ran out of time to fit a front drive shaft as I wanted to get some laps in before dark.

Handling greatly improved with proper tyres all round. Good traction allowed me to charge round and round the windmill in 3rd gear with full lock on without cutting up the ground much. Got a bit dizzy though so had to go back the other way round for a while!

Had a ball for half an hour or so doing donuts and spinning out on the boggy ground down the back. Made quite a mess down there but I couldn't help going back for more. It's so much fun to hit the gas half way through a tight turn and promptly find yourself pointing back the other way, to take off again in one motion with the back wheels spinning furiously as you fishtail back up the yard, then swing back around the windmill and do it all over again! I fear for the state of my back yard in the coming wet months!

The fun was interrupted when I ran out of petrol, and by the time I'd raided the lawnmower supply it was pretty much dark, so I called it a day and parked next to my F60L. This one I bought from Ian Styles in Temora nearly 2 years ago, but it only came home in March this year. It was the first one I got running. On the back is Keith's SWB GS body, also bought from Ian, which hitched a ride down. It will be coming off shortly to make way for the crane off my F60S. I'll be needing a crane truck here as the shed is too flimsy to hang a block and tackle.

That pretty much brings you up to date with my blitz ambo project so far. I also have a FGT project planned, which I'll present in a separate thread.

[Keith Webb]

Nice work, Tony - she looks so much better with chevron 20" tyres.

Thanks also for sharing your story so well. I can see I'll have to film a segment for the current 'Year of' DVD at your place.

[Ganmain Tony]

No hard feelings Tony - you wanted it - you got it. Thats how it works at a clearing sale.

I am pleased to see you have done something with it already and hope the project continues to completion...

Happily willing to give any advice from my experience of restoring one to you as well.

Have fun and look forward to more posts showing your progress..

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

Happily willing to give any advice from my experience of restoring one to you as well.

Thanks very much Tony, I'd definitely like to pick your brains on the resto process and get the benefit of your experience. It's been 40 years since I had a crack at this so I can see myself asking plenty of dumb questions!

[Tony Wheeler]

My Ford blitz ambo project took a major step forward yesterday with the acquisition of a rather essential component....a body! Having lusted after one of these as a 15 year old, I can hardly believe there's one sitting in my driveway as I type!

Strange as it seems to me now, this priceless object of my adolescent desire cost only $140 on ebay - I could probably have scraped that up at age 15 from my paper round! Of course, I would have had trouble recovering it from Tumut on my bicycle.

Here's a few pics of this auspicious (to me!) occasion. First one sees her in idyllic surroundings near Tumut, where she served for many years as a children's cubby house; next in the car park of the pub where I stayed overnight; then an unsheduled stop next morning when the car broke down temporarily, and finally a late evening arrival at home in Yarra Junction. Then, by way of self-motivation, a pic from Keith's website showing just how gorgeous she can be made to look!

[Keith Webb]

Well done, Tony - a sweet moment indeed after all this time.

You're planning to restore her as an Army example aren't you?

Next you'll be looking for a lot of canvas, caneite and ply.

I was trying to pick the location of your overnight stay...

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

You're planning to restore her as an Army example aren't you? I was trying to pick the location of your overnight stay...

As a kid I always envisaged my ambo in DBG, so that's what it will be!

I chose the Commercial Hotel in Tumut....they have a Thai restaurant!