second attempt at photo

[FrankUSMC]

Also, Don has done a GREAT job on restoring it!!!!
One of the few, Frank USMC RET

[Wc-51OHA]

Thanks Frank, I know you did the hard part finding all the missing pieces, that's one of the reasons I made the purchase from the owner between you and I. It still took a lot of work as it hadn't been taken very good care of by the previous owner. I did swap out the T-223 engine for a the correct T-214. Also I fixed the sheet metal repairs that had been made to both side panels. You'll probably remember they were repair panels screwed on both sides, most likely when the French did the build in the mid '60s. I'll post some photos of those repairs. I also had new rear doors fabricated. The previous owner told me when he would go around a corner the rear doors would swing open. From the look of the hinges it was a common occurrence.

[Wc-51OHA]

On the driver's side I was able to make a cut where the remains of the original panel and the patch panel overlapped and then did a butt weld to join the patch panel to the original wall. Where the sheet metal screws had been used to hold the patch panel in place I removed the screws and filled in with weld to simulate the spot welds.

[Wc-51OHA]

On the passenger side I wasn't able to do the same as there was rust through on a section of the original wall. I ended up drilling out all the spot welds below the rib, removed the remains of the original wall above that, and then fit in a replacement panel from a donor ambulance that was headed for the scrapyard. I also had to replace the upper portion of the front corner as the replacement panel wouldn't sit flush against the original corner.

[Wc-51OHA]

Here is the passenger side after shot.

[June J]

Wow, thats dedication.
I never fail to be amazed at and envious of the level of skill our members have, and this is another brilliant example of that.

Great Job!

Ian

[Wc-51OHA]

Thank you Ian. It took help from a couple of great friends.