Heads Up: CMP C8A HMV Ebay USA

[Scott Hamilton]

CMP C8A HMV for sale on ebay USA / Canada. Looks good.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1943-CMP-CHEV...itary_Vehicles

Up for the serious CMP Collector is the last remaining Chevrolet C8A Heavy Utility Machinery "ZL-1" Wireless Repair Truck. The date of manufacture was Aug 12, 1943 and the Serial Number ZL is No. 68. Although the truck was manufactured by Chevrolet, the rear portion "shop" was outfitted by the Chrysler Corporation of Canada. The truck itself was a prototype designed for a wireless repair vehicle. Only a few were manufactured and again this is number 68. According to the late Bart Vanderveen of Wheels and Tracks Magazine No. 2... "on the ZL-1, only one or two of which were built, the right hand side body door was bolted or welded shut". The truck itself turned out to be too small for soldiers to work in. Again, according to Government Military Sources quoted in Wheels and Tracks Magazine No 2..." design not satisfactory for operation with Telecom Sections because vehicle too low so that repairman must remain in sitting position. This awkward for inspection or repair of most types of wireless sets. Not sufficent storage space for carrying equipment necessary when operating in forward areas as an independent unit etc. attached to signals maintenance area". The VIN Number is 384451289 and has the original 216 cu inch engine in it with the same serial number as on the data plate. This rare gem was completely taken apart, sandblasted, primed and repainted from the ground up. The drive train and brake system are all new and completed with original parts. The brake drums have been turned and balanced. The tires are brand new WW11 design Chevron Pattern 10:50 X 16. The engine head was sent out and professionally rebuilt with all new parts. The vehicle also has had turn signals installed. The vehicle is currently titled, insured and on the road today in British Columbia. Starts like a charm and runs like a deer. AND LOOKIN' SHARP !!! The remaining areas to be finished are as such: 1/ Original tail lights and black out light to be installed. These are included with the purchase. 2/ Head lights and dash lights need to be wired up. (wiring already installed) 3/ Rear shop to be outfitted. Also included are: The original hard cover manual outlining the interior of the truck including detailed photos and diagrams of the shop area. Maintenance Manual for Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles. Chevrolet Spare Parts List Manual. All window curtains. The vehicle is located just outside Vancouver B.C. and can be shipped world wide. If you have any questions or queries, please contact me. Good luck !!

[rob love]

I believe that will be MLU member Rob Morrison's vehicle. He put a great deal of money into the original purchase and restoration of this vehicle. It is a nice vehicle, but at the end of the day, they are not for everyone, so it is hard to recoup one's investment in them.

[chris vickery]

On that note, Rob, I must agree.
I hope it goes up in value at auction to where he needs it to be.
I have noticed that as unique as Cmp trucks are, they are relatively cheap here in Canada even in restored and operating order as compared to other hmvs.
I am not sure whether this is the culture of us few collector types here or just the plain and simple fact that the American type hmvs are more sought after and have a higher degree of collectability and sell quick.
I suppose US vehicles have an appeal on either side of the border hence a larger target market.
Proof that "rare" doesn't neccessarly mean "valuable" as everybody is led to believe.
There were over 750,000 Jeeps produced yet they average $15000+ restored yet trying to get $10K for a low production, oddball vehicle is very difficult.
Furthermore, Canadians as a whole are very thrifty in spending on our toys and the current economic situation in the USA does not help.
While Americans tend to have more liquid capital to spend on things, the fact is that down south hobbies and extras are second to life- mortgages, bank loans, groceries etc.
There will always be the wealthy, to whom economic downturns have little to no effect; to the middle class man who likes to spend his extra cash on his hobby, well frankly right now for many there simply is no extra there.

[r.morrison]

Hey Rob/Chris ....it's mine. Tons of lookers and taggers. I was wondering whether any Canucks were going to throw their hat into the ring. Finally got 2, the rest are out of town. I figured since "Mr White" in England figures his is worth 70 to 100 thousand pounds at the latest auction, I thought what the heck! If anyone has any questions they can PM me. Enjoy.....Robert

[r.morrison]

PS: Thanks Scott for posting this. Cheers....R

[chris vickery]

Robert, your restoration is a beautiful piece of work. If I was in the market for a HUP I would certainly consider it. I am an ex-HUP owner afterall and can appreciate the uniqueness of such a vehicle.
If your truck was in the UK I am sure it would go for a tidy sum.
Best of luck with your sale, sorry to see you let her go.