Awesome 10x6 Atki...yes, 10x6!

Rufus Carr, one of several Northern Territory-based ACC readers, sent in this June 2008 photo in early November. He says:

Last pic is a 10x6 Atkinson.This is one of two 10x6 Atkinsons that Noel Herrod ran new on cattle trains out of Charters Towers. She is seen here in Katherine, NT but the present owner lives in Townsville and travels about putting up phone towers etc for Telstra. A couple of months after this phto was taken we were on holiday in the Cape York region and there she was again at Lakeland near Cooktown.

Sydney Antique Machinery Club - September 20, 2008

Mark Bowman visited the SAMC's show in September of last year but encountered camera problems. While he enjoyed himself, he was only able to take these four photos! He writes:

The emphasis was on stationary engines and tractors however there were about a dozen or so trucks (Ed - so despite the camera problems, Mark still managed to get 33% of the trucks attending!). There was also a contingent of army vehicles and motor bikes. There were a few stalls selling spares and tools and even one selling handbags. I assume that was for the husbands who had dragged their wives to yet another "old machine meet". You had to be careful crossing the roads as a couple of huge steam tractors were hairing around the tracks at nearly 4 kmh! Next time I'm putting the right memory card in the camera!

Above: a very tidy 1946 Chev of around the 1500cwt size. Below: I'm sure I saw this AS110 (?) at Dubbo in July. Ah, just reminded myself that I haven't shared my Dubbo pics...oh dear.

Above: a tidy Morris Commercial LC3 in good company. Below: an unrestored example of the ubiquitous International S-model.

Success for inaugural HCVC SA meeting

Above: an impressive turn out indeed. The Bedford J2 next to the Langford Kenworth is owned by reader Duncan Margetts. Photo by Murray Langford.

September 6, 2008 was an important date for South Australian enthusiasts when we formally established a branch of the HCVC in our state writes Murray Langford.

Both the organising families, the Craigs and the Langfords, were overwhelmed to see the crowd of approximately 70 friendly faces at the Tanunda inaugural meeting. Enthusiasts were there from all over the state and it was no problem getting nominations for official positions. So we are underway, everyone is positive and good ideas are flowing.

A big thank you from all of us to Judy and Jim Craig who organised the meal on Saturday night and to all of those who helped them get it on the table. We also have to thank Jim for arranging the visits to the three collections which had something for everyone and finished the weekend off nicely.

Thank you to the Victorian members who made the trip to support us on this occasion. Your help was appreciated and when we get our events programme in motion we would like to see you back again.

Well, we are underway and now it would be great to have a succession of events being planned for the years ahead. If you would like to plan an event or have ideas we could use, I would like to hear from you.

Please contact Andy for Murray’s details if you don’t already have them.

Photo request -> Meningie - Rigs on the Run - November 1, 2008

I don't think I've heard anything about this event. Can anyone fill me in?

How to bed your rings and de-glaze your bores...

This is probably a photo many of you have seen already particularly the Victorian and SA chaps. Similarly, many of you will have seen photos of Murray Langford's stunning 1969 12-cylinder Kenworth LW924. Murray decided she needed to do a bit of work...

A visit to Bob Addison's collection

On August 30 (I told you there was a lot of catching up to do!), members of the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club travelled to see Bob Addison's massive collection in Beaufort, Victoria. Spread across a couple of sites and numerous sheds, the members were able to spend many a happy hour admiring the trucks, crawlers, tractors and vintage machinery. The Peter Lynch photos below are just a small selection of some of the trucks seen on the day.

Above: early pair - D-series Inter and a K4 or K5 at rest in the paddock.

Above: as always the LAD-cabbed truck gets pride of place as per my perogative! A good looking Albion on what appears to be a Reiver chassis. She would be most useful around the home. Note the AEC Mammoth Major Mk III in the background recently purchased from restorer Ken Whitworth.

Above: marvellously original-looking Atkinson in Midland Milk colours. If I had Peter's Atkinson book handy, I'd be able to identify the model for you but I'll guess and say Mk I? Midland Milk, and its Shepparton plant, was acquired by The Dairy Farmers Co-operative Milk Co. Ltd in 1993.

Above: slap some plates on this Ford F8000 and she'd look ready for a day's work.

The Hills of Adelaide Road Run - June 6-7, 2009

Entries close May 9, 2009.

2nd Hunter Valley Vintage Truck Muster - May 16-17, 2009

C is for Canadian Commer

At the same time news came through about the South African Commer recovery, Peter Scarr of Lake Erie in Canada took delivery of this Mk III.

Apart from broken headlights and a stolen Commer badge, the truck is amazingly complete. Peter reckons it’s come out of a time capsule. The extra lights situated alongside the grille are actually factory-fitted but not widely seen on surviving Commers.

Believe it or not, the Commer has been sitting outside all of its life and still wears her original paint on the cab and chassis. In fact, the only rust present is on the surface where the paint has worn away. Despite having a lot of experience with old trucks and c*rs, Peter has never seen a vehicle that has survived so well.

Details at hand suggest she was last registered in 1961 when she was just five years old. It is therefore quite possible the 75,000 miles on the clock are all she has ever done. If used on interstate work, it would be reasonable to expect she would have done 175,000 miles or more.

The TS3 was pulled out for repair, probably in 1961, and never refitted. The “Dodo Egg” gearbox (genuine early Commer four-speed overdrive) is still there and delivered the grunt to a high-speed diff. Another indication of her intended interstate work is the massive, long range saddle-type fuel tank. Her low mileage, however, is supported by the pedals (and to a lesser extent the gauges and steering wheel) showing very little wear.

Continuing the time capsule “walk around”, all the wheels on the short 115-inch chassis turn freely (air-over-hydraulic brakes...on a 1956 Mk III!) and, amazingly, all of the tyres remain inflated and proudly display “Made in England” on their walls! Another indicator of low mileage surely? Finally, and again unusually, she is fitted with Armstrong shock absorbers on the front and rear. These appear factory-fitted and perhaps indicate she was used to transport fragile goods.

A mystery yes, but surely unique in North America? Probably but wouldn't it be cool if she wasn’t the only one!

Thanks again to Howard Pettigrew for permission to use the above photos.

Timely South African rescue

The Rootes Group of vehicle manufacturers was well known for spreading its products throughout the world. Obviously, you’d have more chance of finding such vehicles in Commonwealth countries (although Commers are still active in Norway) but how often are South Africa and Canada, despite their close British ties, mentioned in the same sentence as Commer trucks?!

South African Keith Wetmore had heard rumours about a TS3-engined Commer lying on a farm several hours north of Cape Town. A fellow club member drove to the little town of Graafwater and returned with photos which were circulated to some other members.

A Graafwater truck and ute repairer had bought the Commer off a farmer but was forced to sell it to a scrap dealer in order to cover some expenses. Some frantic calling tracked down the scrappy whose crew was on its way to break up the truck. A price was agreed, the crew turned around and, two days later, Keith and his mates went up in the pouring rain to collect the Mk IV.

Although the rolling chassis is in good condition despite some easily repairable rust, some work was performed on site to actually make her mobile. Keith has since removed the body and discovered the only missing parts for the entire truck are an injector pipe and minor piping. This missing piping points to a problem with fuel in the past and could be why the former water bowser was parked up for the past 20 years.

The truck is the complete package – both vehicle and engine are rare in South Africa. Once restoration is complete, Keith will display her at various vintage shows. All the best with your cracking truck, Keith!

Thanks to Howard Pettigrew for permission to use the photo above.