Thread: Diggers '52 80"

Ok the story so far..... well, just read the above posts... that’ll be easier....

But back to the story punters.......
when we left our hero was engaged in a battle royale with the auction going hordes..... can he prevail???
Lets find out...

The auction arrived at the highlight (well for me, the 28 farmall tractors seemed to attact some people??) I decided on taking a shot at the first one of the three, I only had $500 and the auctioneer ( a good bloke) started with his summary of the vehicle....

It had new tyres fitted (when it was delivered from the factory),

it had a fully functioning motor (at some time)

it is completely original (there isn’t another exactly like this one)

and so on...

he started the bidding at $1000,
so I bid $200,
he moved to $950,
so I bid $200,
He moved to $900, t
hen $850 then $800
and I maintained the only bid of $200 much to the amusement of the gathered crowd...
The tension was building, the beads of sweat formed on his brow and his voice started to break...

“C’mon surely this is worth more than $200 ?” he called,
realising he was right I moved my bid to $201...

He went to $750, still silence,
then $700,
then $600..
Again I bid $201...

still he continued...

“OK who will give me $500?” he asked pleadingly,
all eyes seemed to turn to me, I felt like a tennis player at Wimbledon!
I did feel good though as so far I was the only bidder!!

Ok $500? I don’t want to sell it to Digger here for $201!
“Well” I said “I can help fix that.” so I bid $200 again!!...
<<Laughter through the group, including Budgie >>...

OK he says, I’ll accept the $201 bid!! (I felt great!)

then someone else started bidding...
What the..!!??

so the bidding climbs,
$250,
$300,
$350,
$400...
I bid $450, now getting nervous...
and the other guy hesitated and very quickly Budgie knocked it down to me!

Phew!!

Well punters, our hero has wrestled the evil bidders (well maybe thats a stretch...) and won the first round.. what happens from here??? Lets read on.....

The auction moved on to the other two vehicles, both went for around the $500 mark... then to the pallets of Landy gear, they had some shovel back seats, a fuel tank, springs, assorted bits and pieces, two front guards (steel?) a few bonnets (one with and one without tyre holders) some radiators and a grill surround/radiator support that I recognised as early s1 (perfect for my early parts project “HOIST”).

All exceeded my $50 remaining funds...

Holy smoke punters, what has he done??,
............................was it too much?,
................................................di d he miss out on those other parts??
.................................................. ......................Stay tuned and read on for the exciting answers to these questions..

So, punters when we left our hero he had just won round one but was severely beaten in the following rounds,
...............will he fall down?
...................will his corner throw in the towel to save him?
......................will he be able to convince his 9 year old (who is with him at the clearing sale) not to mention anything to the minister for war and finance before he can 'soften the blow?'...

I later negotiated with the purchaser of the pallets I wanted bits from and got two thin springs, the radiator surround, a dash panel (minus fuel guage) aircleaner and precleaner and a few wiper units for $40... I was happy with that .... for now

One of the cars (the third in line which had an early holden motor) was sold to a bloke who wanted “a shooting buggy”... after having gone roo shooting in a corolla the night before!!

He had no idea about them but was keen to learn and I tried to fill in what I could, directing him to this website and giving him my phone number (and he promised he’d give me first option if he decides to sell but I think he has fallen in love with it.)

The second and most of the pallets sold to a local scrappie who stated he had bought them as his mother wanted a “old jeep” (arrrgh).. he also promised to contact me before any sale or scrapping of the parts or car... This one had a PTO AND GOVERNOR fitted!! (arrrghh again!)

Anyway, following soon will be some photos and what information I can find about the wee beastie (as yet unnamed and un running!).

Cheers Punters , stay tuned for the next instalment (whenever it gets put on )and see what our intrepid rescuer does next!!

Some details:-
Last rego: SA 326-861


Chassis no:- 26161127


Engine no:- 26103251


The photos...
(forgive the inconsistency, bloody camera, it takes nice shots and then crap shots for no apparent reason...)

The “wee beastie” (until I name it anyway)





It followed me home, can I keep it??














Comes with standard rifle rack.... that is standard??



The” Ferret”

(had an original 80” hardtop and a PTO & Govenor... sold to a scrappie)




The “shooting buggy”

(which I think looked the ducks guts!)






The parts:-
My grille with the radiator support I picked up


a wiper set (pretty sure not landy fittings but...cool anyway (6v) )




bits (springs, wiper mtrs, aircleaners, precleaners, door handle, crank handle (badly bent)


dash board spare, headlight buckets, d light shell, ignitions)
[

wheel brace (with welded extra pipe (to assist for leverage?)

Well done Digger. Good story and good buying.
Check the dates on the wheels.

Didiman

Did you ask the scrappie about acquiring the governor? The governors for the IOE engines are almost as rare as a 48 model.

He's promised me first option on all of it if his mother doesn't want it! Now i hope he is good to his word!.

I assume Champions of Adelaide delivery... can someone have a captain cook for me please?

Confirmed as not being a Grenville Motors delivery...