Good news is the move went ahead and the old girl is now safe in her new home. Traffic issues amongst other things meant the planned timings slipped drastically and I finally got home at about 21:30 and too knackered to post anything.
One of the "hiccups" in timings involved me getting caught in the middle of an armed police raid on a local house. - not a good sign for the start of the new London mayor... Road go closed for a short while as two van loads of armed plod leapt out, removed a front door with one of their opening devices and swarmed inside. Took about 30 minutes before the road was reopened to traffic. But I got there in the end, the two new batteries were fitted and the old girl burst into life.
http://youtu.be/0hPJS771kA4
A while later and the low-loader arrived - she went straight on and once the neck was reattached we were ready to go - albeit apprehensively as the height was looking a bit worrysome. The old girl stands at 13' 1" on her wheels so on the trailer considerable higher - 16' 2" at the highest point if I recall correctly. But it was agreed the route to Sible would be OK as the Dartford crossing has sufficient clearance on one of the bores - only concern - and it turned out justifiably - was the road down to the farm which has lots of overhanging trees. More later.
Once Andy was loaded and rolling I headed off to Sible to find out exactly where Stuart the owner of the farm wanted it put. Did manage to catch one snap of the loaded trailer:
Once at Sible it was a case of wait until the low loader arrived. Which it did at about 19:30 Once Andy had dropped the trailer and cleared the cab out of the away the fun started!! I reversed the old girl off the trailer and back between two buildings Both of which might best be described as fragile.Then proceeded to try and turn left at 90 deg. Cue 10 very nervous shunts in decreasing amounts of room before we got the old girl around and pointed in the right direction. From there it was plain sailing down to where Stuart wanted her parked. Sadly everyone else had had to head home for dinner so there was no one there to record the momentous occasion - or the fact I never demolished either building!!
Whilst driving home I could not fail to notice the carnage wrought on the overhanging trees with twigs and leaves everywhere - I ohpe that won;t happen every time we go out!!!
For those interested the Mil Reg was 16 CL 49 and she entered service in 1959 - supplied under contract 6/V/27070, chassis number 0860-504
The "to do" list has already begun - but I think I have gotten off incredibly light given she has sat outside so long. Currently it comprises (in no particular order) and not including the bodywork I was already aware of:
Air leak from somewhere around the rearmost axle - maybe a sticking valve?
The engine stop by lifting the throttle pedal does not work - have to stall her out in a high gear currently.
Door window winders do not work - and it gets VERY hot hauling that steering wheel around.
Passenger door handle does not work - externally at least.
Now needs a new silencer - the old one blew apart when the engine was started!! Possibly a down pipe too
Needs a handle for the indicator switch - should be easy enough to source.
First job though next weekend (today I am in dads taxi mode) is to wash all the algae and crap off - so a pressure washer will be put to good use. and then I can take stock of how bad the tin worm is and what needs to be done.. maybe find a couple of more items for the "to do" list. Good news is a stack of manuals came with her!!