DON'T GO CHANGING!

WOULD YOU LET THIS MAN(IAC)...

Don't be fooled by the size of this man's hammer!

...ANYWHERE NEAR A HISTORICALLY- SIGNIFICANT, NEWLY-RESTORED, VINTAGE VEHICLE??? 

Model of Blitz donated by member of public

 WELL SOMEONE DID

AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED!!

On Saturday, 10th May 2014, the inside of Northey’s store was JUMPING. The volume was up and it was ear-splitting.  

Firstly the percussive snap of cleaning rags and the atomised whoosh of associated solvents. Then, over this cacophony of busy-bee housekeeping, the clamour of Happy Campers, as they raucously enquired as to the whereabouts of LARGE gold nuggets.

Underneath this industrious hum, suddenly could be heard,  the unmistakable deep, throaty growl of a, digitally-unenhanced, motor attempting to put all of its combustible processes, to the goodly aim, of turning over a large motor! 

THE BLITZ WAS GETTING READY TO 

ROAR!!!!

Grabbing my Camera, then, subtly and elegantly, clearing the shop  of customers (GET THE #$*&^%@ OUT OF HERE!!!!!) and slapping a “BACK IN 10 MINUTES” sign on the door (Ha! Don’t tell Jim and Gaye)! 

I ran up the Hill, to the Old Fire Shed,  to see what was going on! 

THIS IS WHAT I FOUND! 

WORKER BEES ATTENDING THEIR QUEEN!

Note maniac in Driver's Seat. Note too, skewed angle of the windshield wiper. Dead-give away to unhinged state of driver! Note also Robert Anderson in jeans.
LOOK OUT GUYS!!

The restoration of the Hill End Blitz has a long and dramatic history. Its progress has bought tears to many an eye. I know, because I have skived off work (don’t tell Gaye) to catch it on film.

I found Robert Anderson, not so long ago, sobbing into to a pile of oil-stained rags after he had installed the headlights. “The Blitz has eyes!” he managed to splutter through gut wrenching sobs. 

Hill End's answer to Dr Fred Hollows...? A composed Robert Anderson after restoring sight to the Blitz.

Of course there are many ghosts who attend this project. They extend, back in time, to a very different Hill End. Many of them have attained legendary status, and the vehicle’s restoration is a labour of love in that it breathes life back into those now gone.
The analogy between the Restoration and the creation of a Human-being is no accident.
The Heart; the Engine
The Belly; the water tank
The Nervous System: the Electrics
The kidneys: The water pump

I was there to witness the testing of the clutch and the brake. The mechanisms that control the direction and speed of motion. 
The Hormone System as it were. 

Motor running, Trevor Sherry, prepares to engage the clutch for the first time.
Note the delicacy of the hand as it prepares to gently execute this manoeuvre.
This is a man with complete trust in his gear-box
 

If the clutch and brake are the Hormone System of the Vehicle, then The Blitz could be said to be  having its second adolescence.  

AND like teenagers everywhere, it wasn't about  to behave. 

Note change of hand position and tightness in facial expression.
Here is a man slightly suspicious of his gear-box!

Note two hands and facial congestion.
Here is a man who has discovered the true cheating nature of his gear-box and is about to lose his rag! 

MURDER MOST FOUL!!!

Note broken gear-stick!
Trevor and Digger caught red handed

His defence? 

IT WAS OLD!!

Meanwhile the Blitz gets a sense of Identity TENDER NO 1.

Warwick Taylor and Digger drill and rivet the name plate into place.
Watch the Duco guys!

 

These blokes were having so much fun. 

It was a real Mens' Shed (thanks guys for allowing my forays).

There had been talk of the old Fire Shed being adapted to such a degree there would be no room for the completed Blitz!

This possibility had, figuratively, gutted some members in the Community. People who had sustained morale through very difficult times were distraught at the idea of this displacement.   

However, on this  Saturday, Lew Bezzina, Historic Heritage Project Coordinator, with NPWS, swung by the Fire Shed to tell the restoration team that, changes had been made that now allowed the tanker to retain a room in its Spiritual Home.

The energy in the shed was positively buoyant. Such is the restorative power of this long-term project.

There is a longer story to be told. This, for you, is just a taste. 

A special mention to absent friends… Dave Pender and, a much loved ghost Welsh Phil.

All words and images by Karin Mainwaring.