10-stud 16" rims

[Colin Alford]

Gents,

I am firmly convinced that these wheels (rims) were produced in Canada and they were fitted to some of the Chevrolet MCP production.

In the case of 1543X2 (CC60L) they were fitted to those designed for 10.50 x 16 tires prior to serial number 1154305001. Prior to serial 1154305001 there were also some 1543X2 fitted with conventional 32 x6 tires on commercial wheels. After serial 1154305001, all 1543X2 had 10.50 x 16 tires but they were now fitted to standard WD Pattern wheels with the wider 8 bolt pattern (different axles were fitted at the same time).

It appears that there are very few of these wheels remaining, with some still on desert wrecks, and a limited quantity in Australia on MCP Chevs with flat-face cowls and India Pattern bodies. One of these trucks is certainly a 1541X8, while the truck featured earlier in this thread “owned by Barry” appears to me to have a wheelbase shorter than 160”. If it is a 134 1/2” wheelbase with a flat-face cowl then it will be a 1531X8.

Attached are images of the 1543X2 Parts List with the relevant part numbers highlighted. I have also included 2 images from the General Motors of Canada, Album of Army Vehicles, which show the wheel in question on an early 1543X2, and a WD standard wheel as fitted to the 1533X2 (apparently they were in a rush to get the 1533X2 outside for some photos as the wheel only has two nuts holding it to the hub!)