Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Bugly · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 65 Location: Darwin, Australia

Good afternoon all -

As the 'newbie' of the forum, I would like to introduce myself. Originally a Kiwi, I now hail from Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. I have two classic vehicles that are driveable but unregistered that will shortly undergo restoration. The first is a 1958 Morris JB van, and the second is a 1964 Dennis F34 fire truck.

A forum such as this may be interested in the succession of vehicles I have owned since the 1960's: 50cc Puch moped, 1954 side-valve Humber, 1964 Mk 1 Cortina 1500cc, 1934 Austin 10, 1964 PB Vauxhall Velox, Sunbeam Alpine sports, Austin A40 Farina, another 1964 PB Velox, 1975 XB Ford Fairmont V8, before heading out of the classics and into the more modern vehicles.

In the past, most of my experience has been involved with keeping the mechanicals of the vehicles going. Now I will be looking at panel repairs and painting which is a whole new field for me. I hope to gain invaluable information and knowledge through the use of this forum. So please bear with me if I ask what may be a few stupid questions! Wink

Cheers - Bugly

Scotty · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 883

Welcome Bugly! Wink

Scotty.

Bugly · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 65 Location: Darwin, Australia

Hi ... Below (hopefully) are photos of the Morris van and the Dennis fire truck

Regards - Bugly

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22449 Location: UK

Hi Bugly, welcome aboard Smile

Rick
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Greeney in France · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:10 am Post subject:

From me in France welcome too
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pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Welcome Bugly,

From the darker reaches of Kent.

Don.
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Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7119 Location: Edinburgh

Welcome Bugly from the frozen wastes of Scotland. Your commercials look in good shape.

Peter
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

Bugly · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 65 Location: Darwin, Australia

Hi guys (and girls of course!) -

I have not long ago given the Morris van a head recondition. I took the opportunity to include new valve seat inserts to avoid the need to mix fuel in the future. The van is running sweetly on the original engine, although there is a bit of piston slap which I am ignoring at this stage. Probably typical of old Morris engines, the starter is a bit 'hit and miss' on one section of the ring gear, but I have a new ring gear sitting aside for when I get too frustrated having to give it the occasional turn with the crank handle.

The Dennis is powered by a straight eight 6.5 litre Rolls Royce engine, with a Rolls Royce automatic gearbox. The specification sheet states that it has a top speed of 60mph, but talking to a couple of retired ex-firemen when it was in service and responding to a fire, on a good downhill stretch with lights and sirens blaring, the fire truck could just peak at 100 mph! The fire truck was manufactured as a 'tropical cab' version by Dennis Bros, hence no doors. It was originally supplied in red, and was repainted in 1978 after the Northern Territory Fire Brigade changed the fleet colour to yellow.

Cheers - Bugly

PAUL BEAUMONT · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 1281 Location: Barnsley S. Yorks

Again welcome! Especially nice to see a couple more commercials. Have fun with them!!
PAUL

RotaryBri · Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 465 Location: Warwick

Welcome Bugly. Great to see anothe J van surviving.

You are in good company on this site.
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Keep Torqueing,

RotaryBri

1976 NSU Ro80

Keith D · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject:

Welcome Bugly,

I'm from a bit nearer home. We're almost neighbours - only 4000km apart!!! Keith D

buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

Welcome, Any chance you have a pic of the business end of the fire truck?

Cheers

Dave

Bugly · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 65 Location: Darwin, Australia

Hi all, and thanks for the warm welcome!

Buzzy Bee, couple of photos of the working end!

Cheers - Lou

Bugly · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 65 Location: Darwin, Australia

Hi Keith D -

Sorry, should have added this to the last post, but never mind! The Morris van was originally a Western Australian van, owned by Brown and Burns Bakery in Subiaco! The bakery was later taken over by Tip Top, and the Morris was given the flick. Just before Christmas I was giving the van a good clean out, and hidden in the steel section above the front window was the remains of an old Brown and Burns bread delivery book. This had a B&B logo on it, which I can reproduce to once again adorn the side of the van after restoration!

Great find!

Cheers - Lou