21/08/2026
9 August marked 2 years since DMS 368C (Strathtay 95) moved under new ownership from Lathalmond to Arbroath for what was expected to be a 7 year restoration programme. The move went well enough and since then around 300 hours have been spent working through the extensive “to do” list: which is getting bigger each time we work on her!!
Main progress includes:
• Take stock of what bits came with her and assess what bits are missing
• Determine what needs to be done and in what order the work is going to be done
• Rear end was stripped of layers of paint, rivets drilled out and the whole rear plate removed. Gives better access to the rear members
• Next attention was given to the steel frame. Although the frame was relatively free from rust and in good condition, it was full of holes where panels had been attached over the last 60 years. So, all around 1500 plus holes have now been filled with weld, ground down and painted.
• Once the concrete blocks were lifted off, the 4 rear wheels and brake hubs were removed and rear spring hangers removed and refurbed
• The rear cross member scavenged from a Tiger has been modified for the Leopard spring hangers
• Design of the crane that will be fitted is all but complete and most of the parts required have been sourced. Work on construction and installation should start before the end of this year
• In preparation for the rear diff to be liberated for cleaning, the prop shaft has been removed, as has the fuel tank and exhaust. All this gives much better access for the huge task of cleaning the chassis: there’s a lot of square metres of metal!!
Progress has not been as swift as we had hoped for, but there have been lots of other jobs on other vehicles that have taken priority. Physical progress for the 300 hours spent is satisfactory, but the school report says “must try harder!!”
