A Fine Collection

Gordon Fry has earned a reputation as a military vehicle restoration specialist – Bernard Holloway paid him a visit

Six ton of Howitzer begins its restoration journey
On parade at Portland last year The Howitzer in its rightful place behind the Matador both resplendent in stone yellow livery
Not the usual hiding place to find a 5.5ins Howitzer
All up with a gross combination weight of very approximately 120 ton the eight-wheel drive tractor pulling a King GTS 100 hydraulic semi-trailer with Challenger can reach a maximum speed of 80kph, where permitted, on the highway and 38kph on a 2.5% gradient
Just rolled out of the workshop after a fresh coat of paint
Off to the cook house. A contemporary World War Two image

Gordon Fry, owner of West End Garage in Somerset is a self-confessed lover of traditional British engineering. A couple of months ago I went to visit him to reacquaint myself with his Matador artillery tractor and take a look at his military restoration projects including some Ministry of Defence work.

Want to read more?

This is a premium article and requires an active subscription.

Existing subscriber? Sign in now

No subscription?

Pick one of our introductory offers