TL 3513 - 1934 AEC Monarch Lorry

Fitted with an 80 bhp 4-cylinder petrol engine, this 'tipper' was used up until the early 1950's carrying coal and coke to the Bracebridge Mental Hospital at Bracebridge Heath, replacing a steam wagon on these duties.

On withdrawal it was used by a contractor until relegated to a scrapyard due to engine failure. Preserved by the Society with the help of one of the Society's trustees, it was restored in the early seventies to working order again.

January 2002 - Many will know that this super lorry has been unable to go very far for the last ten years plus due to a very poor cylinder head. An opportunity to obtain another head from an AEC enthusiast has just arisen, and this should be at the Museum shortly.

April 2002 - A new head has been acquired and is being tidied up prior to fitting. Machining is currently being undertaken by a specialist. A replacement top radiator tank has been located. Thanks to Nick Taylor from Oxford and David Hawkins from South Wales for their valued help here.

May 2002 - The head is now nearly ready to go back on and the engine side plate has been refitted. A new radiator header tank has been donated by Dave Hawkins from South Wales who is an AEC Society member. The head has been refitted and torqued down. The radiator is now back on and all it now needs is an oil change and valet.

July 2002 - We are delighted that after many years of very limited use, the AEC Monarch tipping lorry is now back in full health thanks to a recent project led by Vehicle Manager, David Howe. David has been involved with the Society's collection from his days as a motor apprentice, besides comprehensively restoring an SS Jaguar saloon with another Society member. Two AEC Society members, Nick Taylor from Oxford and Dave Hawkins from South Wales, generously supplied a cylinder head and radiator top tank respectively for this rare 4-cylinder model, the high-power head being completely re-engineered with new valves and guides etc, before replacing the original standard unit which hd become porous. the new top tank was necessary after stripping the radiator and finding that the original was in a very poor state due to corrosion around the studs.

TL 3513 was stripped down by the Society in the late 60's/early 70's follwing rescue from a local scrap yarad after being used by a contractor until it suffered engine failure. It is fitted with a 80 bhp 4-cylinder petrol engine and was used until the early 1950's carrying coal and coke to the Bracebridge Mental Hospital at Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln from the local gasworks, after replacing a steam wagon on similar duties. It has been restored to its original livery. The lorry was purchassed by another AEC Society member, Bryan Challand, and donated to the LVVS. One interesting point is that on the inside of the front chassis there is a brass plate declaring that "This vehicle is the property of AEC Ltd". [We would be interested to hear if anyone has any idea of the reason for this, ie was vehicle leasing practidsed in the 1930's]

July 2004 - This vehicle is causing a bit of grief with a leaking radiator tube which is resisting treatment!

January 2005 - The radiator bay has been removed for a professional repair after efforts to stop a leak failed. The engine bay has been cleaned up after having a regular "power shower" with hot dirty water!

April 2006 - A new cast water connection has been made and fitted to allow the rebuilt radiator to be fitted once again back where it belongs (ie not on the floor!). Hopefully this should be out and about again soon.

July 2006 - The radiator has been fitted and the vehicle road tested.

July 2007 - The Morris van and the AEC Monarch Tipper both attended the ‘Great North Road Transport Extravaganza’, hosted by the AEC Society, at the Newark & Notts Showground on the 27 May, following a clean out of the fuel system the day before.