Bantam Factory Fire Truck - Restored

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pgcf
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Bantam Factory Fire Truck - Restored

Post by pgcf » Sat Jan 15, 2022 5:53 am

The amazing Duncan Rolls has done it again!!

Here is the link to the video showing the before and after of Duncan's restoration of the Bantam factory fire truck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXbx2MS5GOA

If the link does not work then google Bantam Fire Truck Restoration on YouTube.

I visited him several times during this effort. How he does this in such a short amount of time is nothing short of incredible. His craftsmanship speaks for itself.

Mechanically he had a BRC 40 that was all original with about 25,000 miles on it. The differentials still had the original oil in them!

The body was the exact opposite. He had to fabricate all the brackets and accessories, replace every carriage bolt (about 100) by torching them off, repaired the rear wheel well panel extensions, and put the rear step back in it's original location. This is just a simple summary. The jeep was also owned by a fire department after the war and he had to undo their modifications as well.

I found it interesting that Bantam made it using left overs. One rear panel is from a Series I and the other is from a Series II. The chassis simply has extenders added to it.

He also uncovered the evolution of this jeep as the factory continued to make additions and upgrades as seen in the pictures.

The owner will be adding the wooden slats in the bed and the white hose, the wooden frame for the 6 fire extinguishers (in place of the passenger seat), as well as the gold leaf BANTAM logo on each rear quarter panel.

Now that Duncan has this all sorted out maybe he will make a Bantam TUG or even better a BRCA (Bantam GPA)!

Well done my friend! I'm so grateful that you took a break to work on real jeeps when you restored my 3 MB's and Airborne trailer!...HA!

With Respect and Admiration,
Peter


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JAB
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Re: Bantam Factory Fire Truck - Restored

Post by JAB » Sat Jan 15, 2022 7:54 am

Wow!!!!!
-Jeff

GR8GPN2U!!!

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Re: Bantam Factory Fire Truck - Restored

Post by GPW1263 » Sat Jan 15, 2022 8:12 am

That's a real beauty! And who doesn't love fire trucks, eh?

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Re: Bantam Factory Fire Truck - Restored

Post by Schultzd » Sun Jan 16, 2022 6:17 am

Fantanstic! Do you know where he bought the tires?

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pgcf
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Re: Bantam Factory Fire Truck - Restored

Post by pgcf » Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:37 am

I'll ask him and post the info.

Peter

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Re: Bantam Factory Fire Truck - Restored

Post by pgcf » Sun Jan 16, 2022 11:32 am

He is out of town but they are 6.00 x 16 All Terrain Firestone tractor tires.

He used them on the Pilot as well. I think the Agri Jeep guys use them as well.

Cheers,
Peter

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Fred Coldwell
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Re: Bantam Factory Fire Truck - Restored

Post by Fred Coldwell » Sun Jan 16, 2022 8:53 pm

Peter:

Thank you for posting the video of the Bantam Fire Truck. It is a superb restoration, as usual for Duncan but extraordinary for the rest of the world. Happy New Year to both you and Duncan!
Happy Jeep Trails,

Fred Coldwell
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Re: Bantam Factory Fire Truck - Restored

Post by pgcf » Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:27 pm

My pleasure Fred.

The hobby needs to see this kind of unique restoration. As you know there are a lot of variants and unique features out there which get very little press.

I found it very interesting to see how crude and utilitarian the work was on the modifications for this truck. It was purpose-built and I would be surprised if they even created any drawings based on how it was assembled and modified by Bantam.

He has also recreated the Bantam Pilot's predecessor for the same client. That is the pre-war US Army version of the Austin/Bantam pickup truck with the extended bed. The pictures I've seen of it shows it pulling a handcart with a wire reel to lay comm wire.

Cheers,
Peter


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