Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Annie]

Hello everyone, after some years of driving a Series II Morris Minor saloon as my regular everyday car I found myself needing a utility type vehicle now that I'm living in the country. I've never owned anything except 1950's vehicles because I don't trust those new-fangled things they built after 1960 and because of this it was only logical that I decided to look for something nice like a Fordson or a Morris Z.
The first thing I noticed is that it's getting an awful lot more difficult to find any sort of 1950's vehicle in this post Japanese invasion world. When I think of the lovely vehicles I could have purchased for under $NZ50 when I was a teenager (sigh).........
At present I'm very seriously looking at purchasing an E83W chassis that's in very good shape along with a front and rear axle and a cab. I'm considering this because it's stunningly cheap and not too far away from home - which is important when it comes to hauling it all back to my garage-workshop. I do own welding gear, a Myford lathe, handtools and all the other playthings any old car nut should own; - and wot's more my Dad and my brothers taught me how to use them back in the days when I was young and innocent. I did own a Ford Popular many years ago and I'm assuming that the E83W is much the same sort of thing.
Is there anything I should be watching out for with this purchase?
Am I crazy to take on a basket case? (mind you it is a tidyish sort of basket case)
Your comments and advice would be warmly received.

[admin]

Hi Annie

Thanks for joining the forum!! the thing to check when buying an E83W is that it is complete. Some parts (engine, dashboard fittings) are shared with the upright Pop and Prefect, and shouldn't be too hard to find if missing. The gearbox is unique to the E83W, although they do seem to turn up on NZ Trademe from time to time (I keep an eye on that from the UK too!)

Panels are unique to the E83W too, but it looks like it comes with doors etc. Look out for damage to the grille as they are notoriously easy to bend, being right out front. Again they are unique to this model and not shared with Pops etc. There are lots of people around who can advise you on rebuilding your truck - have a look at the owners register bit on www.e83w.co.uk as there are lots of NZ owners signed up. You could email them direct, I'm sure some would be able to assist you too. Shall I add you to the register when/if you buy this project????

cheers, Rick

[Annie]

[admin]

Good luck with it.

The handy thing about having a complete example, is that it'll help enormously in piecing together your dismantled/incomplete truck - it'll highlight what bits are missing, and show you how the dismantled bits should go back together, so if you could afford it, I'd be inclined to have the pair of them!! but either way, drop me a note if/when you buy one or both, and I'll update the register!!

cheers, Rick

[Uncle Joe]

I only saw this post just, so apologies for that!

Welcome to the forum! To the rest of society, everyone who restores old cars are crazy... so dont worry about that!

To the rest of society, everyone that lives in the country is crazy as well, but who has the best life, country bumpkins or city slickers?

And yes, Annie, you guessed, I'm in the country as well!

[rustyreks]

Annie with a postive outlook anything is possible you will need space to work on it and possibly some help from others as there will be welding sandblasting painting etc unless you want to pay somebody to do this for you which adds up to more cost.You would be better off buying the cab in good shape even if it means reassembling esp if it cost quite alot less you can pick up running engines from trade me or maybe even the ford club.I can help with info on the moter settings and rebuilding as i am currently restoring my own truck.They are an aeesome looking truck.brent new zealand