COE Autocar Build Thread

Steve, I've only just caught up with your thread, I must say, fantastic work, I love the gear shifter and switches, oh and the seats are just brilliant. So I've stopped looking now as I feel inadequate.
Keep it up mate it's great.

 

Please don't feel inadequate, at least yours has shiny paint! Mine not so much.

 

Seats look great !

 

Thanks Blue, I'm working on a pair for my wife's Triumph Spitfire now. Had the same problem, nothing from a salvage yard fits and the small seats available are outrageously priced because they are "racing seats".

 

Oh my!!

 

Well that's 2:22 I'll never get back.

 

I don't entirely get the rat rod thing but I do appreciate the effort, thought and creativity. While this Autocar may look like a turd to some, there's no question in my mind that the builder gets an A+ for "different".

 

I wouldn't call it a rat rod, more of a shock rod or art piece. Folks can build whatever they want......whatever spins your wheels.
For me form follows function, and that thing looks useless. JMO

 

I saw something about this one a couple years ago. IIRC, it was an artist meets hot rodder collaboration, obviously much more artistic than most rat rods.

 

Wouldn't be so useless if it had a luggage rack in front of the cab !!

 

Here is another one of about the same layout. May not be very useful but the father and 2 sons were certainly having fun with it.

 

This is for sale in a yard in oregon

 

thats pretty cool.. big truck?

 

Autocar only made big trucks, (some bigger than others) my guess is late 50s through about 1970 conventional (no COEs after 53 White buy-out)

 

Last week I had big plans to pull the Autocar out of the shed today so work on it could resume. (after a year and 3/4) Saturday, we here is central Wisconsin got hit with a really bad windstorm. I only have minor property damage, but I have about a hundred trees down on my property, (some as large as 24" on the stump) so I will be making firewood for the next few months. (I work slow because I ain't much of a woodsman any more) I've got to get the wood cut soon, so it has time to dry, then I can sell later in the fall and recoup some of my expenses. Because of the size of the storm, sawlog prices will be in the toilet locally.
Hope everyone else is having a nice summer!

 

Bummer about your trees. Look at the bright side, at least you have firewood to keep your shop warm this winter

 

LOL A year ago I cut enough firewood to last until my wife retires and we can leave in the winter. (good stuff) Most of what blew down is poplar and balsam, neither one is worth a***** for firewood, but I want to get it cleaned up, so firewood it will be.

 

Steve...do you know of any Autocar COE's for sale? A guy in Cleveland is looking for one.

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/wan/d/independence-autocar-coe-truck-wanted/6933519724.html

 

That gentleman has a taste for rare items, the White 3000 being a bit more common, but still hard to find.
I have been watching Ebay ever since I got mine more that 15 years ago and have only seen one that was in good restored condition. I have seen a couple in fair to poor condition, one of which I bought for the****le.
Best advice is to watch for auctions of museums or private collections.

 

As of today, I'm back in the saddle on the truck! I had a pretty rough summer, (physically) with the storm damage. I have sold 2 semi loads of poplar pulp and 1 one load of mixed hardwood saw logs. ( plus I have cords and cords of firewood to process and pile yet this fall and winter)
Sadly, we as a family, are grieving the loss of my oldest grandson to complications of cancer on August 1st.

Josiah A. Peterson April 21, 2009-August 1, 2019 Rest in Peace Jo-Jo!

Today I dragged the Autocar out of the shed where it has sat untouched for almost 2 full years. I have lifted the cab off from the chassis and will take that into the work garage where I plan to finish up all the sheet metal work and get it insulated and ready for paint. Lots of work, but little exciting stuff.
While the cab is off the truck, I have much work to do on the chassis, rebuilding the engine, renewing motor mounts, plumbing the cooling system, installing the transmission, (including figuring out the transmission electronic controls) and a jillion other little things.

 

I am saddened by your loss. He was so young. If you keep him in your memory, he will never truly be gone.

 

Sorry for your loss . Lost my greatgrandson last year .

 

Im really really saddened by this post but I hope u find solace in a higher power or within yourself or sorrounded by family and friends.
This hits me really hard since my son is 10 years old and was born on April 23 2009.
Your grandson is not only lookin over your shoulder,he is everywhere,I know, by this post,he is now here,tellin me , telling us to tell you that he is ok,not in pain,not in sadness.
We are pulling hard for you and for your family.
Your coe family.

 

Im also sorry for your loss Blue.

 

Thanks guys!

 

Peace to you Steve and to your family. I cannot imagine your families pain. Dan

 

Well, Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone and I haven't accomplished squat on the Autocar until this week. A year ago I built the bomber seats for it and had a lady lined up to upholster the cushions for them. After discussing what I wanted, she told me she would email me a price, and I haven't seen or heard from her since! (she only lives a couple miles from me, so it wouldn't be difficult to keep in touch) Last week I dug the seats out, cut the plywood, foam and canvas and****embled the cushions. Nothing fancy and no sewing, but they have the look I want. One cushion is folded wrong and lumpy on the front edge so I will have to pull the staples and redo it, otherwise I'm happy with them.

 

Steve, you ask me about the Moon discs on my truck on a different thread and I found out something very interesting yesterday. In a program on the Motor Trend tv channel, Full Custom Garage with Ian Roussel who visited Moon Equipment and they demonstrated how the discs were made, but they make all different sizes (a 21" prototype for a Tesla), it is a rather simple process, no fancy machining. If you are interested you might give them a call and see what they can do for you. You might be able to find the program on the internet, Full Custom Garage, Space Junkie, season 3-episode 7. Dan

 

Thanks, I couldn't find that episode on YouTube, but I found a different one that shows the process.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU5GquB184U Now if I just had that spinning lathe....

 

I've been spending some time on the cab over the past month. Like I said earlier, not very exciting, but headway is being made.
I have the cab tipped on its side and am installing 2" styrofoam under the floor, then to protect and seal it from moisture, I am screwing on .080 aluminum sheet. I use butyl caulk to glue the foam in and seal up the floor.



I am also doing the walls of the sleeper to isolate the noise from my "Screamin' Jimmy." This last picture shows the engine compartment. After all the aluminum work is done, I plan to shoot the whole underside of the cab with bed liner to give it a low key uniform look.