Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies
Someone has spent a lot of time restoring that vehicle! It never looked so good when it was with the Army.
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I agree, the former owners have certainly gone to great lengths to bring this unit up to scratch. I indeed feel honoured to have been deemed worthy of taking possession of it.
From what I've managed to find out, the majority of the rebuild was done by a Vietnam vet(name unknown sadly, but I will find out), and he saw to it that the body was removed from the chassis and everything bead blasted and painted in 2 pak. It appears that everything was re galvanised too.
He had the brush bar and tool holders powdercoated in black. Not sure if the chassis itself is painted or powdercoated, I'll climb under and have a look later. I believe he was also responsible for the fitting of the red 202 Holden engine and reco gearbox.
The next owner, Wayne, from Nowra NSW, fitted the high speed transfer case, most of the new bushes and body/window rubbers, the very comfortable seats, and he also added the hard top, which is again coated in 2 pak. Wayne fitted new free wheeling hubs, tyres, steering components and many many other bits and pieces.
I managed to track him down via the internet and had a good yarn with him prior to my taking delivery of the vehicle, and he sounds like a thorough Gentleman to me. His advices were greatly appreciated, and his assurance that this was indeed a fine vehicle definitely gave me greater confidence in proceeding through my purchase.
Wayne told me that the spring packs may be due for a reset, which I noted, and he said about the only other thing I'll need to source would be a couple of new windscreens, too easy. I've gone over the vehicle and can't find anything other than what he mentioned, so again, what a great honest man.
I drove it home to Melbourne from Kempsey last weekend, and the trip was quite pleasant and uneventful.
My intentions are to take the restoration further forward again, adding sensible bits and pieces, and generally keeping the restoration going along the same lines as what the other fellows have strove for.