Stencollector is a kindred spirit, who is a generous and sharing guy. He's looked over my 1970 Jeep and dictated far more advice than I could write down.
So you want a tank?
How big is your wallet? Seriously. The lowest end armoured vehicle would be a Universal Carrier "Bren Gun Carrier". You'll either find a junker that has been someone else's money pit or one that is an older restoration that needs rejuvenation. A Sherman will spoil a quarter million dollars for a runner with spares. In between you won't find anything NATO made in US because of ITARS. British tanks are available but the sources of spares are drying up. In your shoes, I'd favour a British FV432 APC.
How big is your workshop? Do you have an overhead crane, hoists, a forklift or boom truck? Is your compressor able to drive 1" impact tools? Do you have a nice selection of impact sockets, long wrenches, hammers, pins and spring tools? Do you have a good safety ethos? Big parts fall, and will break bones quickly.
Do you have a network of knowledgeable friends? I bought a 1970 Jeep from a fellow here on CGN. It was running and I had it running then it sat. There was nothing I could do beyond my skill level. I called a local fellow who now specializes in Jeep repairs - for guys just like me who own things they don't know how to finish fixing. He got it running and it will go for sale this spring.
Truly, what do you want to do with your tank? I volunteer with
www.ColdWarCollection.com as a driver demonstrator. The principle provides for two shows to local events where the vehicles are either static or mobile displays. Each round trip is $1000.
- The
CVRT Scorpion is road worthy but needs a crew commander for all around visibility. It swallowed a pin inside the transfer case and that needed to go to UK for rebuild. The Latvians bought up all the British military Scorpions, and are buying as many spares as they can. A Striker might be an easier alternative, but there aren't as many on the market as CVRT.
- The
V100 is a good road vehicle, ditto on crew. But there are only two in Canada, and maybe 20 in private hands worldwide. When the transfer case fails, we will be in a world of hurt. I read about a guy who bought a range impact area scrap V100 because it only had 2 holes in the transfer case. Unobtanium!
- The
Saracen has non-slip differentials and cannot run on hard surface roads without driving on loose surfaces to "unwind" the driveline.
- The
Stalwart is fractionally narrow enough for the public roads, but is just a monster to handle.
- The
Ferret is polite and well mannered on the road, but when it breaks whatever went wrong is behind six other panels or components. (Case in point - no start after a show. Hand cranked the 6-cyl to get it running and loaded on the flat bed. Coast off at workshop and it was towed inside. A tiny wire had vibrated off the starter and the mechanic had to evolve an extra joint on his wrist and an eyeball on his pinky finger to get it working.)
- The
M3 Half-track should be good on the roads, but the Israelis stopped making tracks in the 70s, so when that rubber flakes off leaving a giant wire wrapper, we'll be hooped.
- The
BV 202 is for sale and the
BV 206 is great fun, but the utility companies are competing with collectors for these as work vehicles.
Finally, if you want to go bounce around the trails, buy an ARGO or a 4x4. If you want an old military vehicle, find a US surplus 6x6 M35 multifueler Deuce. Much more readily available and easier by far to fix.
PS Mike Calnan with the Swords and Ploughshares sold his Universal Carrier lately. He sold his Canadair RAT to a fellow I know. He sold his early FV4?? Cambridge to another guy. He plans on concentrating on his Halftrack and a WW2 Canadian C15TA Armoured Truck. But Mike's health might not last that long, and he knows how expensive this hobby can be.
