Help - what is she?

[JayMcCann]

Hi,
We have recently purchased this truck but we are struggling to work out exactly what it is?

We have been told it is a WW2 truck. The issue is we can't find any descriptions or images that match.

There is an observer hatch with two handles (we have read there is a difference between the two).

Apparently anything pre 1947 didn't have VIN number marked on them?

The two little plates (from what we can work out say)
Plate 1:
Holden
K 2887
MODEL CHEV.CAB
SERIES (blank)
JOB No. A ( we can't really read this line)

Plate 2:
COLOUR DLV (?)
LY STONE

Colour wise she looks like she was green, then red, then green. However, upon further inspection on the doors it looks like it might have been the stone colour...

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Matt Stephenson]

Hi,

To me she looks kinda like a Chevrolet however I cant be certain as which type as there is no tell tale signs. Can I suggest a look at the engine block might give more clues as to it origin and manufacture. VINs are only a recent thing for cars and trucks. Most pre 1970's built vehicles only had a body number and an engine number. A google search of ww2 chev trucks might be helpful.

[Mike Cecil]

..... and a chassis number. Left hand chassis rail, near the front spring hanger, I think, but it's a Chev, so that detail needs to be corroborated by someone who actually knows Chevs (David M where are you???).

Chev modified conventional, originally finished in Light Stone, so possibly built for an AIF contract.

Find the chassis number and there is a reasonable chance - well, a chance, anyway - of identifying its Australian military registration number.

Mike

[cliff]

I'd hazard a guess at 1940 or 1941 Chevrolet 3 ton Modified Conventional Pattern with Holden manufactured body. further more accurate data can be obtained with the chassis and engine number.

Here's an original photo from the AWM

[Mike K]

There is a possibility , the wheels were 18" split type

[motto]

The truck is obviously one that was intended for military use as indicated by the roof hatch. It also has an Australian cab with opening windscreen which I doubt was ever a feature of the civilian version. It appears to have a heavy front axle which may indicate Maple Leaf origins and is on 20" wheels although these may have been changed at some point.
I can't tell much more from the photographs. Does it have a two speed rear axle?
Does it have a tow hook? If so what type of mounting is provided?
Is there possibly a number on the side of the bonnet?
The word 'CHEVROLET' should be pressed into the lower most horizontal bar in the grill in large letters.
There should be 10" deep chassis reinforcements on the outside between front and rear spring hangers.
There should be a chassis number as Mike stated stamped near the left front spring hanger. They are usually not deep and numerals fairly large and not obvious.

David

[JayMcCann]

Thank you everyone!! We found the chassis and engine number!! Yay. It took some searching apparently!!

Now what should I do with them to find out more?