[Mike K]

Anyone know of a good canvas maker in Melbourne area? I'll need to get a canopy for the back before too long to keep the weather out.

Hi Steve

I have dipped my foot into the canvas / upholstery
world . I don't want to put you off, but the canvas top for a truck like that would cost around $1000, if made by a auto trimmer or canvas business. They charge about 80 bucks per hour . Plus the canvas material will cost about $250-300 on its own .

At the moment , a few WW2 20'X30' canvas tarps are for sale in Sydney , dated 1944 . ex US army .. they want $350 for them .. But 60 year old cotton would be dicey , even if stored correctly.

Your truck is missing the bonnet trim . They have a die cast lever for levering the bonnet catch, and it ALWAYS breaks . The 1941 model is almost identical, but uses heavier and wider trim on the bonnet .Yours seems to be a mixture of 1940 and 41 . The roof hatch and channel section bumber would have come in closer to 1941. They had towing 'd' rings too. The 40 models I believe , had no roof hatch, or spring grill protector like yours had. The tray on yours seems to be a home made affair.

I owned a 1941 11D 3/4 tonner with 122" wheelbase ( ex Glassons of Wagga tow truck ). The 11D was fitted with odd wide car type rims ( 7.50 x16 tyres ) , unlike any other model. I got it registered in TASMANIA .. it was a bit of a 'roughy' . I drove it to the local cop shop at Deloraine and a young policeman was rather perplexed , he told me to drive it to Devonport for an 'inspection'. No permit -nothing . Tassie had non-existant gun laws then .. you could walk into a gun shop.. aged just 16 .. yes 16, and walk out with a semi-auto military rifle like a Garand or SKS Chinese Assault rifle . No names or address or ID required .

Your truck is very neat looking , nice panels .. it looks as if its had a previous restoration .
Mike