This collection gives a historic context to these machines and their primary purpose as armoured vehicles in the Northern Ireland conflict for which they were specifically adapted from the original one ton cargo truck used in the Malayan conflict of the mid to late 1950's.
Previous to being left in a field for 8 years, the Pig was used for advertisement purposes. Sat with bonnet and hatches welded closed in a car park between the Mallard Cinema and All Stars restaurant, the Pig acted as a piece of military memorabilia to attract customers.
This left it open to the elements and vandalism for over 5 years.
With the help of Joe Mooney - a local builder -and his tractor we towed the Humber Pig from St Sampsons in the north of Guernsey along the west coast to our home in St Saviours - just inland from Vazon Bay. To make things more interesting it was also the morning as the Guernsey marathon, taking place along the same stretch of coast road.
The Humber Pig restoration follows two planned stages of work, Phase 1 and 2. Phase one takes the Pig from its original condition as found in the field to a fully roadworthy state. Phase 2 involves the higher level show standard restoration.
Having reached a mechanically roadworthy condition it was a time to give the Pig a test back on the roads. It's first 4 mile journey in over 15 years proved extremely successful along the west coast of Guernsey. Phase 1 was nearing completion after the outing highlighted the remaining technical jobs required to make the Pig fully roadworthy.
Phase 2 of the restoration consists of the higher level and detailed tasks involved in taking the Pig from its roadworthy state to show condition.
Currently shown are 3 weeks worth of targeted work in this second phase of the project - having raised the funds by working for several weeks running my own garage / vehicle repair service in Guernsey.
