AEC Monarch comes 'home'

Andrew Blacklock and Paul Campbell, Scammell Routeman Mk II and Leyland Leopard owners respectively, bought this Monarch at auction in early May. Not seen for more than a decade, the AEC was previously owned by Smith's Transport - well-known beer haulers in the Newcastle area and former owners of AB's Scammell. Many of you may remember AB's coverage of the Scammell's last working day a couple of years ago.

The guys got the Monarch home the following week with Jeffrey Smith doing the honours of returning the truck to her rightful place alongside AB's Scammell in Smith's yard. The trip was not without a couple of minor headaches though. When they first tried to start it they discovered someone had snapped off the fuel return line at the auction viewing. Paul got that fixed and fitted a new set of batteries while AB bled it up. She fired up and ran well with most of the lights working and all electrics looking happy.

Once on the road the Monarch was singing along until just short of the shed when the fuel filter and lift pump gauze blocked. A clean, a nbew filter and a temporary fuel tank got her back 'home'. Over the next week, Paul and AB gave her a general tidy up in time for her to take her place in the Smith's line-up (with the Scammell, Albion and Leyland Reiver) at the Hunter Valley Truck Muster.

Above: Smith's for Service. The AEC among friends.

Since then the guys, both Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club members, have been chipping away at the AEC as time permits. Earlier this month they managed a good clean-up of the chassis and underbody and are over the moon with Hamilton Chrome's re-chroming efforts on the truck's front wheel dress rings (the photo says it all - stunning).

As mentioned above, the Smith's fleet is well known in the Newcastle area. Soon after the truck returned to its former home, Darrell Smith, now in his eighties, arrived home holiday and was asked to open the roller door while the family watched. He was very surprised and pleased to see the AEC on the other side of the door and could not believe that it had all been kept a secret for over a month!