Posted by Mark Cutter on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 at 0:32AM :
In Reply to: 1948 B1 Power Wagon Photo Classifieds SOLD! posted by Chuck on Sunday, October 05, 2003 at 10:28PM :
I appreciate the sentiment regarding vehicles in original condition, however, my experience has been somewhat different.....
The moment any vehicle leaves the assembly line "TIME" is against it.Steel brake lines begin crystalizing,the rubber ones rotting from the inside out.Push your finger on the firewall pad and it crumbles,"sure did look like it was in mint condition".Work around original cloth covered wiring, bump it alittle and "viola" it's bare.NDT tires so hard you pretend your PW is really a Sherman tank. You have to use your backhoe to break the bead or tear it.Years of the old type of anti-freeze causing crud buildup in the cooling system,not to mention the extra holes in the water distribution tube.The headliner starts to sag alittle so you use the palm
of your hand to push it back up,and a ragged six inch piece lands on the seat next to you.BOLTS, yes,bolts. Not to mention those rusted on so tight bolts,that snapping them off is the proper way to remove them,by no means limited to PWs. This method works on GPW Jeeps as well.In parting I like simple things that are unrestored, say something like an original WW2 Union Switch and signal 45 automatic comes to mind. It, like a restored Power Wagon, won't leave you broke down on the side of the road.
Regards Mark