1964 Alvis Stalwart

[andybu]

What a wonderful thread. I had my first and only experience of these vehicles when I was assigned to Alvis in Coventry as the (still wet behind the ears) systems engineer for their ICL mainframe computer, which my employers has recently sold them . The Alvis factory production manager was a larger than life character who had the habit of commandeering a Stalwart that had just come off the production line at around lunchtime each day and then heading up the road to the pub in it. For some reason he never seemed to have any trouble finding a parking space.....

The ride at speed from hanging on while on top of one of these was just something else. Local plod never seemed to be bothered either. I suppose all the locals were used to the sight of them coming out of the Alvis gates for a quick "road test". This was, of course, in the era when 2 or 3 pints and possibly a sandwich constituted an everyday business lunch. Needless to say the journey back was even quicker....

[LewG]

What a fantastic story! Sounds like a man of impeccable taste it must be said

[LewG]

I suppose it's time for half an update on our beast as it's been a while. Things are moving along at a snail's pace unfortunately for the thread due to various other things getting in the way. Thankfully on the farm where the Stolly is stored the chap next door to our workshop is moving out, meaning I can take on his unit. More space allows me to get my recently purchased 2.5 tonne two post car lift installed and actually crack on with getting other projects completed, then work can really begin.
IMG-20170813-WA0002 by Lew Garner
We have stripped out one beam, some floor plates and some of the bulkhead to get better access for removing the fuel tank. The plan after this is to remove the engine, gearbox and transfer box as one lump. A chap on the farm has a Ford Cargo lorry with 3 tonne Atlas crane so that should be the perfect tool for the job.
Tomorrow night I am heading down to view some part worn tyres for it from a fellow Stolly owner, he owns the white one pictured swimming earlier in the thread.

[Nunga]

Things not normally said in everyday conversation; "Tomorrow night I am heading down to view some part worn tyres for it from a fellow Stolly owner." As one does midweek

Sensational thread; the fact you bought the one from your childhood memories is even more than a cherry on top. I really hope to see this continue, sympathetically or otherwise.

[NickCW]

Love this thread, not far from you myself so when its finished I hope to see it out and about!

[Fastdruid]

Purely out of curiosity, are new tyres available for it still or are they just ridiculously expensive and hence part-worns?

[J4CKO]

Hmm, hadnt looked at this until now, I have something similar tucked away in my loft !

[LewG]

Cheers guys, and definitely Nick, more than welcome to come for a drive as well.
The proper bar grip tyres nowadays are pretty much unobtainium for them unfortunately, there are 14.00x20 tyres available in the correct sort of ply rating available in modern style plant treads but dear me are they expensive, especially when there's all six to get!
The news isn't all bad however, I've just got back from my trip down to view the tyres and what a great little evening that was. The tyres themselves were pretty bloody good, all Mark wanted them for was the rims as he's got some other modern ones to go on, so hopefully I'll get them for a reasonable price. His Stolly was absolutely stunning, it was immaculate and run like a Swiss watch. Interesting to have a good nosey around a Mk2 as well, more small differences than you think! For carting it round the country he also had a Scammell/Leyland Daf DROPS in as new condition. Now that was a beast!
I got a few useful close ups of the swim board arrangement and such for reference when it comes to putting ours back on too.

[Ranger 6]

Tonymg said:

Think we got some Ammo Delivred once? by a stolly cant fined any old photos of the stolly we was buisy at the time running around lol I'm the third from the right 1982?

5 Rgt by any chance? Hildesheim? They must've changed them in the very early 80s as the stalwarts were limbers in the 70s.

I think I recognise the chap sitting top left with the ginger 'tache (it was a few years ago mind ).

[LewG]

A big day for the Stolly today. Mark has accepted my offer on the tyres, bargain of the century at 400 quid for all six! Better still I have sourced a reconditioned transfer box for pocket money, and potentially a gearbox! Things are moving on nicely

[seiben]

I'd love to know how you're going to transport those tyres

[eltax91]

seiben said:

I'd love to know how you're going to transport those tyres

Paisley freight of course!

[LewG]

Intended on walking there and rolling them back one at a time

[FiF]

[LewG]

[Jeepv6]

Fantastic thread I remember them as a kid in the 60s there was a program on Saturday afternoon sport Chanel it was like rallycross but the army used stalwarts and champs etc,can't remember the name of the racing but it was fantastic,always wanted one but a few years ago ago I bought a zil131 it was great kept it at the side of the road new my cottage in the village were I lived wish I had kept it

[Jeepv6]

That's me on the left showing my mate the 7litre petrol engine,we were at fort Paul near hull

[LewG]

Cracking job Garry, I absolutely love Zils, definitely on my list of vehicles to own! Proper Russki engineering, would like a Kraz 255 as well or one of those Maz tank transporters

Whilst I've been swanning around on holiday up in the Lake District my mate Matt who co-owns the Stolly has been grafting and got the rear of the cab off, engine oil tank and fuel tank out. Pretty good going!

[Jeepv6]

I'm about to retire I'm after another zil but want a reo whistler I drive an Amy merc e63 but due to speed limits it point less so a cheap run around and a nice old truck would be better

[williamp]

as an aside into russian vehicles, I have always loved this about how to start a Maz 543

http://www.russianmilitary.co.uk/details.php?id=57