C15A - WO16 - Chev Blitz - Looking for guidance

[peterinair67]

My New / Old BLITZ. Bought in November last year off a property in Southern Queensland (AUST) from a farmer who had it for over 30-years. He bought it off a Railway Crew who hauled sleepers for QLD Rail. Assume they are the ones who modified the chassis and extended the wheelbase from 101” to the current 127 inches. Has a Timber tray which is 136 inches or 11 ft 4 inches long and a doubled up chassis rail set up. Quite unique….

Still a working vehicle. Complete except for the passenger seat and the driver’s side fuel tank.

Model WO16
(I still have not tracked down the War Office decoding, I still don’t know what the original set up was)

SERIAL 2844400508M

ENGINE WR3816092

C15A

1942

508TH IN THE YEAR BUILT

‘M’ IS FOR MELBOURNE WHERE ASSEMBLED

Looks lt was never re-painted so I am going to start all of the research now on ‘what to do’. Starting with a general clean up to see what I have, followed by the sorting out of the Chassis to keep as is or put back to original. I will start to post pictures in the following few weeks. If anyone else has a model WO16 and can give me some advise, like to hear from you - or anyone else who thinks they can get me on a good path to restore the beast !

Look forward to get to know many of you. Cheers. Peter

[Keith Webb]

Hi Peter. I can tell you what it was...

WO 16 = Battery Staff Wireless Load M1. This meant it had a No2A Australian steel body, same as most Australian built C15As. So in addition to the chassis mods you'll be looking for one of those bodies, a set of 16" wheels and a spare wheel carrier.

Handsome beast isn't it, with the 20" wheels.

[hrpearce]

Hi Peter, congratulations C15A still a runner, I had that luck also. I have mine on club rego now but it is still a workhorse. It looks like you have good metal to work with. Put up heaps of photos from all angles so we can see exatly what you have got. Have fun with it and ask all the questions you need to. I had help from all round the world here on MLU

[Keith Webb]

There was one at Corowa in 2002... don't have a pic handy but it was a Sydney built example: WO16 Chassis 2844400439S Engine WR3821426

[peterinair67]

Keith, thanks for the information on the set up – I will start to research the Battery Staff Wireless Load M1 type / No2A Australian steel body. Many of those about? Picture of the Timber tray - it is ready for removal.

Do people typically find the spare wheel carrier bracing or make it up based on a pattern or pictures?

I like the 20" wheels. Just priced the 9.00X20” NDT MILITARY 12PLY‏ from that Co. in W.A... OUCH on the price! Look for 16’ as you suggested next. I have 5 wheels & Tyres. Mixture of tyre types.

Appreciate the guidance. Having fun.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by peterinair67

I like the 20" wheels. Just priced the 9.00X20” NDT MILITARY 12PLY‏ from that Co. in W.A... OUCH on the price! Look for 16’ as you suggested next. I have 5 wheels & Tyres. Mixture of tyre types.

Appreciate the guidance. Having fun.

For less pain, try AgTyre in Moree, NSW for their 9.00-20 MRF NDMS Military Bar Tread. You might have to go on back order and place an order through a local dealer, but still ought to work out cheaper. AgTyre can be contacted on 1800 028988 or 02 6752 4299.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Peter - check your PMs.

Bob