Highlights

• Comprehensive customisation
• Chevrolet flatbed installation
• Chevrolet 6.5-litre V8 turbodiesel
• Four-wheel-drive
• Many intriguing design touches
• Retrimmed cabin costing £4,500+

The Appeal

Believed to have been initially used as a military ambulance during WWII, it may have been recommissioned as a snow plough at some point, as this is how the DVLA records it. After purchasing it in 2016, the current owner set about having the vehicle extensively customised to create one of the most staggeringly distinctive vehicles we’ve ever seen. Certainly not for shrinking violets, this truck is sure to become the centre of attention everywhere it goes.

The History and Paperwork

• Believed to have been a 1941 model WWII military ambulance, before being re-registered for road use in 1948
• Three registered owners from new
• Previous owner since September 2010
• Chevrolet 6.5-litre V8 turbodiesel installed by the last owner
• Current owner since September 2016
• Comprehensive bodywork and interior modifications carried out in 2018
• Historic vehicle status – tax and MOT exempt
• 132,381 miles indicated – the current engine is believed to have covered just 17,000 miles in 2016
• Registered with the DVLA as a grey ‘Snow Plough’ and as being petrol powered – something the new owner may wish to update

The Interior

• Retrimmed by Custom Trim Creations in 2018, at a cost of £4,500+
• Diamond stitched brown leather to the front seats and rear bench
• Fur headlining and leather coverings for the dash and door cards
• Brown carpets throughout the cabin
• Modern CD/radio system with USB and Aux connection
• Extra 12V socket and two USB charging sockets installed
• Electric windows
• Integrated rear roll cage, painted satin black, in the extended cab section
• Wood rimmed steering wheel
• Many idiosyncratic design touches and unique styling treatments

The Exterior

• Extensive custom work, carried out by Mike Riley Engineering Services in 2018
• Base Ford “1/2 Ton” Pickup cab has been extended and modified to accommodate a rear bench
• Chevrolet Silverado flatbed installed
• All steel work has been weathered, treated and sealed to achieve a “patinated” look
• Ammunition box modified to accommodate a fuel tank
• Log bumper installed
• Aluminium barrel fashioned into a battery box
• New glass has been installed in the cab
• Many unique design touches, included bespoke handles, side-mounted barbecue grill made from a gas bottle, split-screen and widened front fenders
• Custom built snorkel exhaust

The Mechanics

• Converted to run a 6.5-litre Chevrolet turbodiesel engine from a 1998 truck
• 4L80E automatic transmission
• Power brakes and ABS fitted
• Power steering
• Four-wheel drive
• Dana 70 front axle
• Dana 80 twin wheel rear axle
• Refurbished propshaft
• Leaf springs all round
• The vendor tells us that the truck drives well, and they report no mechanical issues

Summary