During 2001 this vehicle was for sale. On inspection of this “bones case” the body offered was from a Hudson Tourer and engine from 1916, with some chassis work undertaken and with a correct radiator (previous owned by me during the 70’s and several boxes containing parts, headlights, sidelights, windscreen, odd magnetos and much more.
Delivery was made and the driver remarked he’d carried a lot of loads, but on seeing this, well…….
After sorting out useable parts, restoration began with cleaning, repair and painting.
The chassis remains including engine, gearbox and diff had to be retrieved from a river bed in Hawkes Bay. Some repair work to the chassis had been done with the engine, complete diff and gearbox being discarded. The body and engine were sold and the correct engine, complete diff and gearbox soon purchases and arrived in Auckland from the South Island on a wooden pallet, again the truck driver passed comment.
After restoring a 1912 Overland Tourer prior to Rotorua’s 1980 International Rally, this project was reasonably straight forward compared. Body drawings were ordered from WORK-USA and given to a competent cabinetmaker/ boat builder in Warkworth. Several trips were made to oversee progress. Within a few months the body was finished and another started for a South Island member.
Chassis work continued with new springs, shackle plates and pins being made. Some hot riveting was required and this skill has been learnt from previous restoration with Tony Foster as able hand. The body was panelled by a local panel beater, who had performed other local restoration, as well as some for delivery overseas. The body was fitted to the chassis, aligned, removed and delivered to a paint shop and upholstered. This was undertaken to the drawings supplied including the hood. New wooden wheels were made using the original hardware and new tyres and tubes fitted.
Delivery was made and the driver remarked he’d carried a lot of loads, but on seeing this, well…….
After sorting out useable parts, restoration began with cleaning, repair and painting.
The chassis remains including engine, gearbox and diff had to be retrieved from a river bed in Hawkes Bay. Some repair work to the chassis had been done with the engine, complete diff and gearbox being discarded. The body and engine were sold and the correct engine, complete diff and gearbox soon purchases and arrived in Auckland from the South Island on a wooden pallet, again the truck driver passed comment.
After restoring a 1912 Overland Tourer prior to Rotorua’s 1980 International Rally, this project was reasonably straight forward compared. Body drawings were ordered from WORK-USA and given to a competent cabinetmaker/ boat builder in Warkworth. Several trips were made to oversee progress. Within a few months the body was finished and another started for a South Island member.
Chassis work continued with new springs, shackle plates and pins being made. Some hot riveting was required and this skill has been learnt from previous restoration with Tony Foster as able hand. The body was panelled by a local panel beater, who had performed other local restoration, as well as some for delivery overseas. The body was fitted to the chassis, aligned, removed and delivered to a paint shop and upholstered. This was undertaken to the drawings supplied including the hood. New wooden wheels were made using the original hardware and new tyres and tubes fitted.
The engine and diff were dismantled, inspected and new bearings fitted to the diff. Engine, crankshaft and rods crack tested and found to be okay. Bearing scraped bores honed and valves and seats refurbished. All parts for nickel plating were gathered and sent away, they returned with a large invoice! The cone clutch was inspected for cracks and deterioration and was relined with modern friction material, Kevlar for low maintenance. The windscreen frame was rebuilt from two old frames with side hinges. Once the vehicle was assembled and the engine running, a wiring loom was made and fitted. The 6volt system still survives with the addition of a rear stop light and a windscreen wiper. Pre delivery was made by Ivan Nobilo, before being shipped to Brisbane.
On arrival, a roadworthy (WOF) was undertaken by the local garage, followed by an engineers report. One this had been achieved, (fit indicators) the vehicle was QLD registered (with my preious restaorations, and a 1912 69T Overland). Enormous help was provided by Bruce Nelson and of late Rod Cripps (WOCV). Detailed drawings from WORK, USA and manual with help from Tony Foster.
The restoration which started in June 2001 was completed in 2006 prior to moving to Australia and returned to New Zealand in 2013 and now living in Blenheim. We have toured the Ipswich Rally in 2012 and the Sunshine Coast Rally in 2013
Neil and Glenys Cox
On arrival, a roadworthy (WOF) was undertaken by the local garage, followed by an engineers report. One this had been achieved, (fit indicators) the vehicle was QLD registered (with my preious restaorations, and a 1912 69T Overland). Enormous help was provided by Bruce Nelson and of late Rod Cripps (WOCV). Detailed drawings from WORK, USA and manual with help from Tony Foster.
The restoration which started in June 2001 was completed in 2006 prior to moving to Australia and returned to New Zealand in 2013 and now living in Blenheim. We have toured the Ipswich Rally in 2012 and the Sunshine Coast Rally in 2013
Neil and Glenys Cox
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