![]() In 1987, the Federal Government advertised the sale of Centurion spare parts. Over the years he imported many vehicles, including a Dodge command car, a Harley WLA and ‘a heap of militaria and tyres’. And this was one of the keys to his future he became interested in importing gear. ![]() There he met with Peter Gray, the founder of the military vehicle movement in the UK. Along with Colin, he took his 1942 Chev for a huge D-Day rally in the UK. When the Vibert family wound up its business in 1984, after almost 100 years in the local building industry, Tim had more time to devote to his passion. Initially, they scoured scrap yards for anything of interest. Colin was to be a key figure in Tim’s world with a shared interest in military equipment, he became a lifelong friend with whom Tim travelled the globe. Then in the early 1970s, Colin Anderson arrived at the Shepparton Show, with a Bren Gun Carrier. There was also a firepower display, with three very new Centurions demonstrating their skills. In the 1950s, he attended his brother Peter’s CMF passing out parade, which included a Saracen APC roaring in and disgorging troops. He worked on various vintage cars over this time but a couple of things had aroused his interest in military equipment. Tim helped his dad maintain machinery in the family woodwork factory, enjoyed what he was learning and stayed put. Tim’s version had a plywood body and tin mudguards and today, Vic Roads would be most unlikely to approve registration (The photo I’ve seen though, definitely has number plates, HSF 143). He built a motorised billy cart that was powered by the motor from his dad’s lawnmower and, just a few years later, he built himself a car, from the wreck of a 1928 Morris - found on a farm. Here, however, is where Tim learned the basic mechanical skills. I’m hoping he was also a patient man, else young Tim would have driven him crazy with his questions.
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