Bill Simpson's Ute Restoration, was a Labour of Love

My dad restored this

1938 Bedford JC coupe , Carry-all ute

to a magnificent British racing green ,
with Mirror finished Paint, Chromed Radiator and Headlights.
Restored brand new interior Roof and Door Trim and Seats.
The Motor was his main concern, he had to try to rebuild this old 4 cylinder motor that had not run for many years. Lucky when he found the car, there where TWO of them , although they were both in very bad condition he was able to use parts from one to fit the other, this was his first Task, he had to get a engine running.
After many days of using his great mechanical skills Dad got the mighty 4 Cylinder running.
The only thing he needed to buy was the Piston Rings!!.
So now there was a tremendous incentive to get the rest restored.
Bill wanted to keep it as original as possible
so he used nothing but the best wood to build the framework for the seats
and rear pickup area. All rust holes where filled with 18 gauge steel and welded into place.
The paint job was fantastic, (He used to own Guildford Paints in England when he was younger)
Bristol Paint
Original Befrod HC9150
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This was how we bought the pair of these Bedford HC9150 Utes
Well there was a LITTLE rust !
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Stripping down the shell, removing all doors,fittings, motor etc.
The cabin comes off the Chassis frame
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Lots and lots of rust, this is before.. and below is after, Panelling is weilded and filled
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Guard suit Bedford Ute
1940 Bedford  Door
A wing
This is one of the Suicide Doors, they where called that becuase they
opened from the front of the door.
naked bedford
Bedford ute undercoated
So once the body was assembled, all the old paint was removed and now ready for painting.
It was treated with prepsol and then undercoated with Primer.Finally appied several top coats of British racing green !
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Just about Finished, Seats in, Rear tray finished, but wait where are the doors!
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1940 Bedford UTE
The Finished Beford Ute, Registered and doing laps in Helidon!
Restored Vintage Ute
1940 Bedford Ute
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Bill Simpson 1976
Bedford Ute 1940
The Toowoomba Chronicle even did an Article on The Ute
Bill Simpson in 1976
Letter from Vauxhall Motors
Letter from GMH

RIP, Dad.



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