Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Russ Brotherton]

What is the most anyone has seen an E83W modified?

Are there any web sites or photos around?

They are most strange little trucks and someone some where must have hot rodded one of these units. They are not really common so one done up would definately be a eye catcher.


Russ

[Rick]

Hi Russ

Yeah there are modified ones around, and there are a few on the Register pages of my van site:

http://www.e83w.co.uk/e83wreg.htm

(have a look at the NZ and USA sections)

From memory I recall seeing Rolling Thunder, a highly modified Utilecon (a very nice example was cut up to make this however), and a black one keeps appearing on ebay, a van that also appeared on a picture disc some years ago. They are definitely around.

If you'd like to join up on the register, just drop me your details via the e83w.co.uk site, and a digi pic or two if possible, and I'll add you in.

cheers, Rick

[Bob]

Here are a couple of mine, not finished yet but plenty will be going on inside. This is being built as a demonstrator vehicle for my car audio business.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/sas1/P1010008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/sas1/P1010004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/sas1/P1010005.jpg
Bob

[Russ B]

I don't want a bunch of purists jumping all over me but the following a re a few pics of my E83W 1950 Pick up I rescued. The box and other misc parts were all gone or rotten. I salvaged what I could and after 17 intense months this is my ride, of which I am very proud and I do not think there is another close to it.

Enjoy
Russ


http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m18/BLOWN-E83W/thamestruck100.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m18/BLOWN-E83W/thamestruck106.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m18/BLOWN-E83W/thamestruck102.jpg

[Stuchamp]

Very cool, looks great in that color!

[admin]

Hi Russ

Great finish on your truck! did you make the windscreen frame from scratch?

cheers
Rick

[buzzy bee]

Hi Russ

I prefere classics standard but don't worry, I am not going to start being funny about it! The finished article does look good as far as hot rods go, well it was allways going to, it is a E83W deep down!!



Cheers

Dave

[Uncle Joe]

Rick, didn't you say that hotrodding an E38W was a sacrilige?

Must admit, they do look nice though!

[Russ B]

Rick, the windscreen frame is stock. I had it chromed is all. I got a new rubber for it from Dean at Anglia Obsolete in California.

Russ

[admin]

Hi UJ

Yeah my inclination is towards original vans and pickups definitely!! *but*, if somethings beyond economical resto to original (parts supply is very tricky in some overseas locations), perhaps when an incomplete vehicle is taken on, then modified might make more sense. Its when something gets started, then abandoned part-done, that I get a bit upset

R.

[buzzy bee]

I really disagree with things that aren't reversable but that is only my oppinion so it is not my place to start getting funny about it!

Cheers

Dave

[Russ B]

Busy, here is a story.
The truck I purchased here in Alberta Canada was a complete basket case. For lack of a better term. A rusted out pick up box with all the parts thrown into it. The truck was dissasembled by the owner in 1970! And by dissassembled I mean it was completely torn down to the bare block. Sure all the bolts were there, in cans full of water. But no markings as to where they went or even what quadrant of the truck they were from. He had great asperations of restoring it. The fellow was 71 when I bought it in 2005. It sat on his patio torn apart and sat uncovered for 35 years. You can probably picture the condition.

But like Rick says it is pretty tough to find parts for these over here. As I understand there were a total of 200 units sold to North America between 1950-1953. I could not find fasteners for the fenders (wings) let alone anything else over here that were original thread.

Building this truck was a real undertaking. All parts were either made by me or replaced with something that would work with modification.

Like Rick, I really don't like to see vehicles disassembled and the job never finished. This truck was destined to be crushed in short order if I never got it from the older gentleman.

So now I own something some of the older fellows over here saw in a van configuration, but never a pick up. I thought it better to build it how I wanted it, yet keep it somewhat recognizable and make something no one else has.....Especially over here.

Russ

[buzzy bee]

Yeah I have no problem with people doing it, but like I say in my oppinion I prefere them done to standard. It's a free world (well some of it anyway,hehe ) so you and anyone else can do things how they like and I do my cars my way!

I do apriciate though that you have saved a car destined to be crushed, just I would have done it differently. I hope you understand What I am getting at and I am certainly not getting at you!

Cheers

Dave

[Russ B]

Yes I understand what you are saying. And believe me there are people who cringe when someone chops the top of a model A. Same story.

To each their own I guess. and a Free World? My mum said ain't nothin' in life is FREE


Russ

[Uncle Joe]

I’m going to shove my opinionated oar into this discussion. As far as I see things, there are three basic ways to restore a car. Original, Upgraded Original, and Custom. My own preference out of these three is for Upgraded Original. But I can accept any of them on two conditions. The first is that the work is carried out in a conscientious and proper manner and not just a bodge. The second is that the vehicle can be, and is used on the road, and isn’t a trailer queen.

Old vehicles weren’t built to be looked upon and admired, they were built to be used! This applies just as much to Originals as Customs!