Sid Swallow Ford Prototype? Need help!!

rob love · #1 10-03-12, 01:56

I'm presently working on a Ford prototype that is in the Shilo collection. This truck came from Dr. Gregg, when he donated his collection to Silo back in the 80s. Does anyone know for sure if this is the truck that was shown in Blueprint for Victory, as being rescued by Gary Moonie on page 199?

If so, the book mentions that the truck saw service with the Victoria Rifles. Does anybody have a photo of the truck in service? I would like to find the DND number, as well as any markings that might have been on it.

The truck got a very nice cosmetic restoration at some point, along with a later 8BA engine. I am working on the mechanical restoration of it. The steering box is toast, the suspension is well worn, and I am also giving it a full brake job. Later, depending on time and budget, I should be able to bring some of the other restoration aspects of the truck more up to standard.

Thanks to various dealers like Mac's, the suspension parts will not be a problem. Rock auto.com is the cheapest for the cylinders, so it will get new all around. But the real problem is that steering box. The part numbers on it (what few there are) are not Ford, and the box is different from what I can find in any photos. I suspect that it is from the Ford COE of that period. Most of the parts I can identify are 1940 model parts, so possibly the steering box is too.

I also need to find a set of front spring shackle hangers (the back hangers for the front springs) as these ones were cut for some reason. They have a COE part number on them (W in it) so I guess it will be a challenge to find those as well.

I'll start posting some photos on Monday, if I remember to bring my camera in to work. The wear on many of the parts is quite substantial, but I guess could be expected on a 72 year old truck. I am hoping to get the brakes and suspension as good (or slightly better) than new.

It is kind of an honor to be working on this truck, a chance to work on a prototype does not come along often.

Rob Fast · #2 10-03-12, 02:35

and let me be the first to congradulate you on your new temp. position at the Shilo Museum. You are a wealth of knowledge and you are going to be a huge asset to the Shilo Museum and the Gregg Collection. All the best in this mind bogling collection to sort thru. Cheers Rob Fast

Bob Phillips · #3 10-03-12, 03:09

Hello ! I can tell you where to find a parts truck Ford COE probably about 1940-41 if that is what you need- PM me for details...Bob

Bob Carriere · #4 10-03-12, 05:47

There was one near Arnprior.....

Bob

rob love · #5 10-03-12, 07:14

If anyone is near enough one to take a photo of the steering gear, it would be appreciated. If anyone is actually able to source the spring hangers we need, that would be an incredible help.

The prototype is left hand drive, so that improves the likelihood that the steering box will be available. If one considers the urgency in which the prototype was assembled, it only makes sense that it would use as much off the shelf components as they could get on it.

Seems like the hotrodders these days like to take the COE cabs and stick them on motorhome chassis to make car haulers for their prize vehicles. At the end of the day, they are not using either the steering gear or the front suspension.

Hanno Spoelstra · #6 10-03-12, 11:05

Rob,

Exciting stuff!

check http://bcoy1cpb.pacdat.net/cmp_canad...ry_pattern.htm for pics and background

Hanno

Colin Macgregor Stevens · #7 27-01-26, 06:42

UPDATES:

The Gary Moonie Ford 15 Cwt pilot model was restored by Don Gordon of Victoria, BC. He used the original 2A1 wooden cargo body that I brought out from Estevan, Saskatchewan to Gary Moonie. He was able to reuse the hardware and had the patterns for the wood. The main difference between that and the photo showing my father standing beside one (appparently the same truck) in 1940 is the tailgate on the pilot model was not notched in the centre, but straight across. The truck was restored with Chevron tread tires, though ovetrsized for the 15 Cwt. I believe he also had Ferret 9,00x16 tires with British tread pattern. I was one of the appraisers for this when it went to the Canadian War Museum. The CWM already had the cab of another Ford pilot model.

The Chevrolet pilot model what was in a photo above, painted white, was found in the British Columbia interior (dry country) by Albert Siemons, a surplus dealer. It was offered to me, but I could not take it on, so I alerted the Canadian War Museum (CWM) and they made a deal to acquire it. :-) Remains of another Chevrolet pilot model were found in Wetaskiwin, Alberta in at Reynolds Museum storage area.

Photos are on my "new" web site at https://captainstevens.com/military/...tern-vehicles/