Well, finally got some extra time so I will brag (opps, I mean campaign) about my entry, the Ward LaFrance M1A1.
Years ago I drove past this truck while hauling logs into Oregon on a daily basis. Really did not know what is was since I was pretty green in the MV hobby back then, but assumed it was WWII.
Then years later (2015) I see it listed on Craigslist. Called to find out the owner had passed away and the son-in-law I spoke with, was helping to sell off the estate. At the time I was not really in a position (MONEY) to even think about buying it (or anything!) but was curious nontheless. I asked if they had any offers on it and he admitted the only offer thus far was a local that wanted to buy it cheap, torch the winches out of it and scrap the rest.
I told him I would be right down!!
3.5 hours later I checked the old girl out and made a deal we both were satisfied with. Girlfriend Shawn loaned me the money for the buy and I was able to pay her back before she died of breast cancer the next fall. Thank you dear, love you, RIP!
Got with a buddy in the trucking business and he cut me a deal (thanks Brad!) to lowboy it to the house couple weeks later. It started easy and backed off the trailer. Crane works. U-joints are tight and greased. Headlights work, even the blockheater works!
At present I am just slowly rounding up parts , cleaning, checking, greasing, repairing things as I can afford in both time and money. Title work is in the system and those involved seem optimistic about that turning out well. I am now semi-retired so hopefully time will allow things to move a little faster.
Actually have started on getting wheels and tires rounded up as what came on it are all rags and all the wrong size. One of the air tanks located under the bed has a hole rubbed through by the chain that powers the crane so it won't build air. Bought some NOS air tanks (m35) to install in a different location to eliminate that problem and get some brakes working on it.
This will be a motorpool resto. The idea here is to take the grand boys for a ride while they are young. NOW. As slow as I move, if I were to do it show quality, these kids would be grown and gone before I got it to "show quality". May not be perfect in some folks eyes, but at least it's not been scrapped!
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Besides being fun it has also proved be pretty handy around here as well!
