Mel Hubbard's Veep...

manxdavid · Post by **manxdavid** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 6:42 pm

Can't find where you wanted me to post these pics Mel so I started another thread...

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:07 pm

Thanks Dave,,, there ya go Nelson,, my pride & joy

Just trying to work out a better way of mounting the pedals,, its going from RHD to LHD,, then body off for blasting,,, hoping to fit proper Willys steel fenders and grill as they are the only GRP bits on it right now. Picture it with some 16'' narrow wheels, military tyres, canvas hood, axe & shovel on the side,, all painted up in nato green with a big white star on the hood :rock: Just call me GI Mel from now on

manxdavid · Post by **manxdavid** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:20 pm

I don't get it myself...wouldn't you prefer something sporty like this...LOL...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volkswag ... dZViewItem

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:05 pm

The body looks like its the real deal maybe an original Willys or a Ford? Is there an ID plate on it? Those tires are Armstrong Norsemans, one of the best off road tires in the day. I like those wheels too. I'd be real tempted to put a pancake engine in it,either a type 3 or 4. Damn, I'd be real tempted to put a Synchro 4WD bus transaxle and a Chevy S-10 front diff like Ken Trongo, plus a hot Subi in it. Finding a perfect spot to mount a radiator sure wouldn't be a problem. Is this the look you're going for?

manxdavid · Post by **manxdavid** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:23 pm

I know someone with some ex-NATO Type 4 engines with only minimal hours on if you think one of them would suit, Mel. Only prob is they're wired 24volt but that shouldn't be a biggy to sort out. Aparently they came off anti- aircraft guns.

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:18 pm

Mel, If you ever do the Full Monty 4WD thing, Ken Trongo worked out how to use the front A-arms, differential and steering from a 4WD Chevy S-10 on the front of his buggy. He also used VW rear torsion bars as his front torsion bars. The bars mounted along the inside of the forward frame rails. Ken's son Kenny has it now. Its about 15 minutes drive from here, if you ever need more info. http://www.manxclub.com/botm-3-04/botm-3-04-3.htm

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 11:41 pm

Nelson, the 4 WD thing did cross my mind after looking at a military Chenowth FAV at the Duxford show,, I think they use the VW Synchro bus set up. But I want to keep the build cost down & use up some of the VW stuff thats been kicking around the shop for years,, so I will keep this one 2 WD,,, for now anyway. The body tub does have a number stamped in,, I put a post up on a USA Jeep site and it seemed to confuse a few guys,, some said 1946/7 CJ2 A. I think its an early repro tub, but its very well built and has never seen a welder since it left the factory. It looks to be almost identicle to the Willys M-38 MC Jeeps of 1949 to 1952 (Korean war Jeeps) ie > tool indents (axe & shovel) are on the right, unlike the WW2 models, got the large gas filler, dash panel, tailgate & floor pressings are all spot on the same as 49/52 M38,s the only thing thats not the same is those early M38's had the battery mounted in the cowl (on the right side) but this tub has not got that

As soon as the body is off Im taking the chassis to my buddy & see if he will make me a copy, just incase anyone else ever wants to build one,,, you can get all the repro steel body stuff for WW2 Jeeps real easy,, and with easy & cheap VW running gear makes em a great little fun /off road vehicle to build,,, maybe I will end up using the other chassis for the 4X4 water cooled project,,,, skys the limit with what you could do with these babys,, even plenty of room for a V8 motor under the hood

Dave, I'll pass on the 71 Z28

let me know about the type 4 motors they could be interesting.

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 11:49 pm

[QUOTE="CairoManx"]Mel, If you ever do the Full Monty 4WD thing, Ken Trongo worked out how to use the front A-arms, differential and steering from a 4WD Chevy S-10 on the front of his buggy. He also used VW rear torsion bars as his front torsion bars. The bars mounted along the inside of the forward frame rails. Ken's son Kenny has it now. Its about 15 minutes drive from here, if you ever need more info. http://www.manxclub.com/botm-3-04/botm-3-04-3.htm[/QUOTE] That sounds like a good plan,, Thanks,,, nice work Ken :rock:

allen pierce · Post by **allen pierce** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:31 pm

Mel sent me some pics of his recent work on his Veep, (and I don't mind being his "photo guy"). He'll have to add any words after my last message.

(I hate this 4 picture per message restriction.)

allen pierce · Post by **allen pierce** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:33 pm

More Veep pics...

(Have I mentioned that I dislike the 4 pics per message restriction on the Manx Club? Sheesh.)

allen pierce · Post by **allen pierce** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:35 pm

And the last set of pics...

That's it for now. Mel's words to come...

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:49 am

Thanks Allen. Well She's all steel again,, got the olive drab paint finished last sunday and my Wife & daughters helped lift it back on the chassis. Then just put a few bolts in the tub to chassis,, just to hold it in place,,,, try the fenders to see if they fit, grill, lights etc,,, then some white WW2 markings etc etc just to see if I can replicate that WW2 military Jeep look,,, you know how it is. Well, since I mailed the pics, the grab handles, side & rear relectors, axe, shovel plus a few other detail bits are fitted,,, hope to fit the folding windshield this weekend along with the rest of the body parts > as Im still waiting on mechanical parts to get her rolling. The black-out lights Im hoping to turn into indicators/ flashers/ winkers or whatever you guys call em,, and maybe a dummy rad behind the grill, just to fool em. The hood number > 0305164 was copied from a picture found in an old book of a Willys Jeep with 5 GI's & 5 girls taken in Rapid City, South Dakota in 1943,, so that number did exist,,, one of your fathers??? maybe. This project was inspired by Nelson (cairomanx) and early memories of my first pedal car back in the 50's > A willys Jeep

Thanks Nelson,, them sparks (when grinding) make a nice change from all that itchy dust

Nelson, do you know anything about M18 Hell Cats??? just thinking about another olive drab project

:rock:

manxdavid · Post by **manxdavid** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:05 pm

Lookin' good Mel...wow you have been busy!!! I know our wives must think we're mad with some of the junk we've dragged home over the years but this hulk has got to beat them all...Not sure what it is; you guys may know better, it's some sort of landing craft or amphibian duck or something. It's appeared in the next street to me and it's almost as big as the guys house!!! Anyone know what it is? Not the best pic I'm afraid but the bows are to the right and there's some sort of cabin above/ behind the front wheel I've never caught the guy at home yet.

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:24 pm

[QUOTE="Manxdavid"]Lookin' good Mel...wow you have been busy!!! I know our wives must think we're mad with some of the junk we've dragged home over the years but this hulk has got to beat them all...Not sure what it is; you guys may know better, it's some sort of landing craft or amphibian duck or something. It's appeared in the next street to me and it's almost as big as the guys house!!! Anyone know what it is? Not the best pic I'm afraid but the bows are to the right and there's some sort of cabin above/ behind the front wheel I've never caught the guy at home yet.

[/QUOTE] Dave, from what I can see, it looks like a Lark, used by the US Army during the Vietnam war,,, could be wrong,, sure Nelson would know. Must be very rare whatever it is,, great for a spot of sea fishing too,

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:05 pm

Sorry Dave, its Larc not Lark,,, > google Larc amphibious craft & check out the US Army one. See if the owners about next time your passing, and ask him if its for sale,, I could be interested after all the rain we got this year.