My old Stolly

[m715mike]

I found some pictures of my former Alvis Stalwart MKII while rummaging in the back closet. It brought back great memories, and I thought I'd share with the group. There are a couple pictures below, but check-out the album I posted for more if interested.

I owned this Stolly from around August 2005 to early 2007. By the summer of 2006 I got-up enough nerve to take it swimming in Lake Conroe (one hour north of Houston, TX). Although it handled and performed great in the water, that was the first and only time I went swimming in a Stolly. It was a pleasure to own and one of the few vehicles I regret selling. Unfortunately, I did not have the means to give it a permanent home.

Hopefully someone on SS will enjoy the pictures. I have enjoyed the trip down memory lane this morning.

 

[zout]

I enjoyed the memory and pics. Do you have any pics of the interior of that baby.

 

[m715mike]

Yes, please check-out the album I posted on SS

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/album.php?albumid=3223

 

[T. Highway]

Very cool pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Bert

 

[EmbarkChief]

That is really cool, wish I had been there to see that!

 

[Kalashnikov]

There's one for sale not far from me. I'd love to get my hands on it but I already have too many projects that need to go. They are cool rigs for sure. Did you driv it on the street regularly? Just curious is you disconnected driveshafts to save wear on the bevel gearboxes?

 

[M813rc]

Nice vehicle. If I ever manage to get up to visit JimK, maybe he'll take me "swimming" in his.

I keep thinking how cool it would be to swim the V100, but just can't work up the nerve. They are nowhere near as capable as a Stalwart in the water though.

Cheers

 

[m715mike]

That is really cool, wish I had been there to see that!

Thanks Kevin!! Channel 13 had a cameraman out there the day I took it swimming. He actually rode in the back after we tested for leaks. I kept watching but never saw the truck on the news.

 

[m715mike]

There's one for sale not far from me. I'd love to get my hands on it but I already have too many projects that need to go. They are cool rigs for sure. Did you driv it on the street regularly? Just curious is you disconnected driveshafts to save wear on the bevel gearboxes?

Wow! Is it advertised online? I'd love to see it. I want another, but I'm pretty sure that won't fly with my wife right now (since I just bought my Deuce recently).

I did short trips on the pavement and never disconnected the drive shafts. Honestly, I was afraid of breaking the truck (and having to find/buy parts) so it wasn't used very hard. After each trip on the pavement, I took it over a big ditch in the backyard... I'm not sure if that helped the truck, but it sure made me feel better.

 

[m715mike]

Nice vehicle. If I ever manage to get up to visit JimK, maybe he'll take me "swimming" in his.

I keep thinking how cool it would be to swim the V100, but just can't work up the nerve. They are nowhere near as capable as a Stalwart in the water though.

I completely understand about working-up the nerve! I called the local newspaper and they ran an advance 2 days before my swim. I figured that announcing it publicly would prevent me from being a chicken and not going through with it. Turns out that a crowd of 30 people or so showed up to watch because they saw it in the paper. The best part was that the crowd got to see a "swimming" truck and not an expensive boat anchor!

If you decide to swim yours, please give me a heads-up. I would love to watch!!!


I believe I remember JimK's name from the Yahoo Stolly message board. It may have been about the time he used the crane in his to help build his shop? (JimK, if you are reading this, does that sound right, or is my memory playing tricks on me?)

 

[M813rc]

Yep, that was Jim. He restored his Stalwart from one that looked rather questionable to one that looked factory fresh. He also made some parts for my V100 restoration. Apart from being a good friend, he is a very talented guy!

IF I ever swim the V (shiver, shiver, chicken noises...) I'll let y'all know! When I think of it, I picture recovery barges and what it would cost to get one of those onto Lake Travis.

Cheers

 

[Gunzy]

There is one for sale in Washington on Craigs List and I came across this video. It's a crazy launch.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mr_pCrhTkk

 

[m715mike]

Gunzy, that has got to be my favorite Stolly video. I've probably seen it one hundred times. Every time I'm telling someone about the truck and they say, "What's that"... I show them that video.

 

[B3.3T]

There are several great YouTube videos. Just search Stalwart 6x6. A friend in KY had one with a Perkins diesel. That was a nice truck, but as labor intensive as armor.

 

[BlackNoma]

Nice looking truck you had Mike, looks like you were proud of it!

As for that video.... holy crap! Did your launch go something like that Mike??? hahaha

 

[m715mike]

Nice looking truck you had Mike, looks like you were proud of it!

As for that video.... holy crap! Did your launch go something like that Mike??? hahaha

Thanks! Yes, I liked that truck.

As for my launch.... I think M813rc said it well, "shiver, shiver, chicken noises..." I eased down the boat ramp and stopped in 5 feet of water for a full inspection. According to the previous owner, that truck had not seen the water in over 6 years. I got up enough nerve and kicked-in the Dowty jets. We were off!!! Just then, a fisherman came around the pier and my Stolly was pointed head-on at his little boat. Imagine his surprise!

After swimming for a little bit, I managed to high center on (I assume) a stump under the water. Just had to engage the tires and I drove off the obstacle.

 

[BlackNoma]

that's awesome!

 

[m715mike]

More swimming pictures

I found some more pictures from the day I took my Stolly swimming (I knew there were more around the house somewhere).

Here are a couple:



Check-out my album for more:
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/album.php?albumid=3223

 

[BlackNoma]

That is awesome! Try it in the deuce!!! haha

 

[datadawg]

Gunzy, that has got to be my favorite Stolly video. I've probably seen it one hundred times. Every time I'm telling someone about the truck and they say, "What's that"... I show them that video.

I think the owner of the Stolly in the video first had lots of Stolie... (Stolichnaya) to give him courage.