Wanted: Chev Blitz C15A North QLD

[Private_collector]

A mate of mine had this truck advertised on ebay, for $6000.
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It is not exactly original, but had been altered in ways to make it a practical and reasonably comfortable vehicle to go travelling in. He has swapped the sidevalve V8 for a modern diesel of greater reliability and function. While not bodily restored, it is quite rust free and sound. All the mechanicals were rebuilt to ensure trouble free motoring. As were brakes. The electrical system is exceptional. The truck sat unloved on ebay for weeks. Knowing the owner, and the standard of work that he put into it, I struck a deal and bought it for myself. It will be a fun project, as I make visible changes (hopefully, improvements) to return it to a more military look. The bridge plate, serial number, and military division symbol on the front, are only temporary, until I get around to a color change. Since buying the truck in March/April, all I really needed to do is put fuel in and turn the key. Had some interesting experiences in this truck, that's for sure.

Deals like this come along now and then. If I had bought this truck in 2010, I would have put all my efforts into it alone, and saved myself a lot of hard work! Well, maybe not, but my point is with a running, drivable vehicle, you can work on it while still enjoying the use of the toy. That way you get to do restoration work AND enjoy the benefits straight away. Just a thought.

[Luke Jackson]

Thanks Tony. I think your $6000 truck is probably the sort of thing I'd like to eventually end up with.

I guess I don't have much experience with any restoration on trucks. I do a bit of motorbike work, and I know my way around an engine, but I honestly have never welded or anything before. I do have some engineer mates and a boilermaker or two in my circle of mates-of-mates.

Budget is also a bit of an issue. The upfront cost of a runner is out of my price range, so that's why I was looking for a cheaper entry point and sort of lay-by it up to a working state. Like you say though, projects make you pay one way or another.

I'm making some enquiries in Charters Towers (an hour west of me) and in the local area, so I suppose I'll just keep on plugging along.

I was chasing a blitz primarily due the engine being relatively accessible and the chassis etc looking pretty simple. I thought it'd would be a good intro to car mods without totally butchering something into a hotrod or whatever.

The advice I've gotten from MLU has been very supportive and I definately get that while everyone is enthusiastic, no one wants to see a newbie get ripped off

[Private_collector]

I was talking with a fellow restorer and 'blitz sniffer' today. I swear he can smell the damn things from miles away. Like the child catcher from Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang, but not creepy! Anyhoo, he told me about a pair of Monkey Face CMPs and some cab13 Chevrolet ones he came across out west QLD a while ago. Sounds like they might be reasonably complete, and the farmer owner is keen to get rid of em. My friend will see if he can contact the owner for me, to find out if they are still there. While I don't have any further information on these vehicles, they might be worth a thought. I have asked for photos, if possible. I believe they are located in vicinity of Augathella. If any further info is forthcoming, I will hand it on. My friend has no interest in Chevs, so didn't give them any thought while he was there retrieving a vehicle for himself (I'll post photos I took today, on my thread soon) and a nice sunshine cab roof for me. I write this post after just returning home from a ~700km round trip, with another trailer load of parts.

[Luke Jackson]

Thanks Tony, definitely pass them on. Its fairly remote, but closer than Victoria. I've made some enquiries that might bear fruit a lot closer to Townsville, however, so I'll let you know. It's good to see that they do come out of the woodwork when you poke around!

[motto (RIP)]

Hi Luke and welcome aboard.
I would definitely go along with the opinions expressed and recommend you side step the truck you're considering.
$2,000 and the cost of getting it to northern QLD. Wow! I would still be doubtful if it could be got home for free as you won't really know what you've bought until you eyeball it.
If you are prepared to have a truck hauled home from Ballarat to Townsville then an arc drawn that distance out and centred in Townsville would cover an enormous area within which there must be a very large number of CMPs.
Don't rush in. When thoroughly examined the very first Dodge Weapons Carrier I purchased was only good for parts and I payed a lot for it. Lesson learned.

David

[Luke Jackson]

Thanks Scott. I saw that one. Tried to get in contact with the owner and offered a carton of beer for him to let me have a look and got no response.

A bit too good for me, but still worth a view. Ah well, who doesn't want free beer?

[Private_collector]

Luke,

Call him instead. I have had lots of times where I have used gumtrees email system with no reply, then found out later, they did not receive the email at all.