My Project: 1957 109" Series I Flat Tray

[Jock The Rock]

Well on Wednesday I picked up my 1957 (I think) Series I 109" Flat Tray

Very happy lad

It has the original motor and gearbox in it, both work very smoothly but leak a hell of a lot of oil. I picked it up and put 2L of oil in the motor, then got to Melbourne and found there was none in the gearbox. So in went some for that

Many thanks to Sleepy who picked me up from the airport then drove me up to Gisborne. And then ushered me back through Melbourne to the ferry, all in reasonably heavy traffic. I would have been buggered without you mate, Thanks

Anyway back to the Landy. I was under the impression it was original but when we got up it was obvious it had been restored once before a few years ago. The paintwork outside is a bit average, but inside it's still good. The bad news is the further and further away I got from the seller the more rust I found in the bulkhead so that will have to come out and be treated. Unless it is past it, if it is does anyone have a bulkhead to suit? I may be up for a new chassis too, have to have a closer look at that one.

Driving it down from Gisborne was a dream, the steering is amazingly light. Unlike my Series IIA (could be a problem with the IIA ), the gears are good and I could hold 70-80km most of the way along the free way.

Once I hit Tassie it was a bit annoying as I had no windsreen wipers and it poured with rain most of the way home

My original plans for it were to re register it and use it as it is, without to much restoration. Saves me buying a trailer. But now I've found the rust I'm urring on a slow rebuild to former glory

Not sure yet I'll keep you posted. And for those that helped out before I'll try and track down the Chassis number in the morning

Heres some photos courtesy of Sleepy

Oh and the exhaust note on this thing is just sweet












Bit interesing I know







And as soon as the Landy got home it was pressed into service helping a mate clean up trees







Feel free to ad anything I missed Sleepy

I hope you all like pics

[Lost Landy]

Its a shame your so far south as I could have sold you the bits you may need, as i have 3 1/2 109" LWB series 1s. 2 have rust free chassis & firewalls.

[Sleepy]

It was a fun day Jock - Happy to help.
Yes Melbourne is like that everyday (and worse ) you're lucky not to have to deal with traffic like that.

I reckon the chassis should be ok - I am pretty confident any problems should be repairable. Not as confident with the firewall although I have seen much worse.

The dodgiest bit was that near side outrigger with the exhaust passing through it - that one may need some work.

You're right about that motor it seems to pull very well and has a great sound - and didn't blow any smoke. (I'm jealous - I really want a 2l spread bore now )

She looked very straight. Love those seats too.

Great to see you put it to use too.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Edit - and those springs - How many leaves did I count? 12?

[Jock The Rock]

It was a fun day Jock - Happy to help.
Yes Melbourne is like that everyday (and worse ) you're lucky not to have to deal with traffic like that.

I reckon the chassis should be ok - I am pretty confident any problems should be repairable. Not as confident with the firewall although I have seen much worse.

The dodgiest bit was that near side outrigger with the exhaust passing through it - that one may need some work.

You're right about that motor it seems to pull very well and has a great sound - and didn't blow any smoke. (I'm jealous - I really want a 2l spread bore now )

She looked very straight. Love those seats too.

Great to see you put it to use too.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Edit - and those springs - How many leaves did I count? 12?

I hope to have a closer look all over it tomorrow. I got home that day, parked it on the front lawn then had to pack and dash down the midlands so I haven't had a chance to do anything on it since I got it home

I'll have to buy some seals and a RAVE CD and get to work on the oil leaks. I'm keen to get it on the road as soon as I can

I've just been thinking about that exhuast, I'll have a look tomorrow but do you reckon it is supposed to exit the engine bay where it does?

And lastly yesterday I went to a clearing sale down the Midlands, guess what was up for grabs. Yep a Series I. Think it may have been a 86" or 88" with a hard top and unfortunately a Holden 6 in it but it did have a decent firewall. So there I was thinking bargain bargain bargain and rubbing my little hands together. But bidding started at $1500 and went all the way down to $500. In the end it had a reserve of $1500 I don't think it was really worth that much, but would have been nice, it also had a PTO on the back and a huge drawbar

[chazza]

Nice find Jock!

Those springs look to be well knackered; might be time to buy a new set

Cheers Charlie

[olmate]

Well done mate - she looks like a good find A set of new springs as said and you wont know yourself

[JDNSW]

Looks quite nice, but I think you have touched on the main problem with Series 1s - they are all over fifty!

That tray is certainly not original, but does look quite suitable.

John

[Jock The Rock]

Thanks for the replies fellas

Just one other thing when I picked it up the lady owner had named it Barbie. Just to annoy her husband

I'm trying to think of a name for him. I told a mate about it and he suggested Ken, but doesn't really sound right. My other series is called Burt

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Pedro_The_Swift]

keep the tray

those rear springs are amazing

[Defender=1st]

Awesome looking series 1 jock, will have to come up for a squiz sometime, got that SI paper work to drop up anyways.