1940 Chev C15, Cab 11 restoration in Holland

[David DeWeese]

Hello Jaap,
Noticed an interesting difference in your instrument panel in that yours' has four mounting brackets to hold it to the dash.
Looked at my '46 panel in the C8, the one original that came with the truck, and a wartime 1.5 ton Chev panel I had lying around, and they all only have two mounting brackets, one on each side.
Any ideas on why?
Thanks, David

[jaap de wit]

hello david
about the instrument panel of my truck, I buy it on ebay because there wasn't one with the truck. I have seen this to with other panels.
I think my panel is maybe of a person car or truck.
on ebay I see more of these panels for chevrolet cars/ trucks, but I am not sure witch one mine is. But it looks on the outside the same I think.
maybe someone else knows more about this differents ?
cheers jaap

[jaap de wit]

I have placed the inner fenders to the arch on the truck.
on my truck the front inner panels were missing so I try to make some my self. I used carbord sheet to make a tempplate. I think it is helpfull to have a inspection hatch to access the generator and fuel pump so I made one in each panel. after some cutting and welding they were ready, I welded some nuts in the corners to holt the hatches. then they were ready for painting.
cheers jaap

[jaap de wit]

here the result mounted on the truck.

[Keith Brooker]

Hi Jaap,
Chev is looking very good, not long to go for Arnhem see you there.
Keith & Nel

[jaap de wit]

he keith , thanks and yes I will see you in arnhem, but I think not with the chevy to much thing to do in such a short time. thats wy I spent the last 3 week holyday working on the truck. I did the wiring 6 volt and 12 volt. 12 volt for the LPG installation so the truck will be really green
I placed the windscreen on and the front fenders it starts to look like a truck more and more. then I started with the other nose panels this took me half a day to get them on, you have to shovel with them a lot to get them in place.
but it is worth the look.
cheers jaap

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Jaap..
You really have a great touch and I can tell what kind of tradesman you are from the area you work in...clean and tidy..which transfers to your truck..
As I always taught and insisted on my trades men,that they keep their working area clean,tidy and organized.
And their jobs would be the same quality..
It worked..
Great job..

[jaap de wit]

I started on the back wall part. I had to drill some pointwelds out to get to the rust behind the sheetmetal and then weld it up again. I sealed the seams so the water can't get in again. when I placed the wall on the car I learned that you have to wait with bolting it down to the floor untill you have the roof in place, otherwise the roof will not fit to the front window (about 1 1/2 inch sort). it took me only some 20 bolts to lossen and afther to fasten again.
but first, I sand blasted the roof in my home made blasting cabin. there where two bad spots on the back wall and some holls to repair.
see the pictures in my next reply.
cheers jaap

[jaap de wit]

so on with the roof again. it neaded some rust removel between the sheet metal and the angel iron to so after this I primed it and started on the wood part. I made them from hardwood and had to shape the front one to fitt the rond edge of the roof. then the side parts where made, but the studs for the canvas sides I do later when I have the right measurements. the top of the roof is painted black (like the rolling stones song)
and the allied star putt on top. then it was time to place the roof on.
now the fitting starts, I had to lossen the backwall again (as I told in the previus reply ) to get more play to fit the roof to the front window. after bolting this down I could pul the roof section on to the backwall and then bolting this down then finaly the bottom bolts, all together some 46 bolts.
cheers jaap.

[jaap de wit]

now the roof fits and the doors are in place I installed the two headlights. I test fitted the both bonnet panels they use 11 bolts to fit them inplace
I did anther test drive and made 40 ml/h for a short time (the road ended)
the cab is alot smaller to get in and out now the cab is compleet it takes some handyness when you are 6',6" like me.
cheers jaap

[jaap de wit]

hi guy's now the truck is as good as ready, only some small things to do I started on the radiobody whitch need a lot of work. the body is as you can see the wood frame only and some bits like the vent duct's, de door, the inside fenders, ect. I started with the under side I cleaned it and put the brackets on the right place for my truck frame. then I put some foom inplace as insulation and covered it with playwood and painted it with tectielpaint.
as this needs to dry I took the door apart by removeing all the old ironsheet and the windowframe whitch all needs replacing. the wood around the doorlock needed some replacing to it was broken on the point were the lock is placed. so up to the wood work now.
cheers jaap

[jaap de wit]

Back on the door of the radiobody. the part of the lock was gone and I had to make some new parts. I made the part for the lock bigger so it wouldend brake again. I checked if the door was square by placing it in the door opening of the radiobody.
after this I made strips of iron sheet and screwed them on the door outer sides just far over the side so the door would still close. these strips act as supports for the ironsheet that covers the outside of the door, it get's folded around these strips. see you guy's next time when I do the outside of the door.
cheers jaap

[jaap de wit]

Now the back door was ready to get the new sheet metal fitted. near my house I have a blacksmith who cut the sheets for me to size. then it was to me to bend it around the metal strips on the door, this took some time to do it right. I make the windows in later because I don't know how the windowframes look like. I covered the frontside of the body to and made the small window hole in it outherwise I can't get to it when the body is on the truck, this window I do have. I also put in some sheet metal for the rear fenders in place whitch fit inside the original ones,this way it is easier to remove dirt from the wheel artches.
now it is time for some paint and to put it onto the truck.
cheers jaap

[Ganmain Tony]

Looks great Jaap,

How are you attaching the sheet metal to the timber?? Any close up photo's?

Any idea what they originally used ??

Just curious. Really look forward to your updates on this thread. It is a terriffic looking truck.

[jaap de wit]

thanks tony
I attach the sheet metal with gluw to the wood frame and use big head nails on the corners when I have beaten the metal around the corners then when all the metal is on the bodyframe I put metal strips on the front and back corners of the body (see the circels in the picture) these are screwed on.
originally they only nailed the metal on, I found many old nails in the wood and some screws. I will make some pictures as I get to it.
cheers jaap

[jaap de wit]

after I have painted the front of the radiobody, I had to do this first because I can't do it when it sits on the truck. it is now the time to put the body on the truck now it is still lightweight it only took 3 man to lift it. the body was attached to the frame of the truck at 6 points. now the body is on the truck I started with the back panels to fit on. first I placed the lower part on to draw a line for the door opening and the hatch for the generator compartment. then cut them out and glued the panel back in place.
when this was dry I started bending the corners at the door and hammering the metal in place this took some time to do it right, the same go's for the hatch opening. now it was time to do the same with the upper part of the back body. I have used big head nail to attach the metal around the corners, when the side panels go on they fall over these nails so they can't come out.
see you next time when I do the sides.
cheers jaap

[Alex van de Wetering]

Jaap, I can hardly wait for "Arnhem", next year

Have you thought about the interior of the body? Camper van....or period interior?

Alex

[jaap de wit]

thanks alex, I am long off to do the inside but I am planning to do both a old interior that look old and when I need to sleep in it I turnup with something to sleep on that is stored out of site, I have to think this true. but first I want to make the body ready so I can try to get a registration first and then make the details on the body (so I can drive to when I want) like the vents, the ladder on the back, the antenna's storing brackets, ect.
so I did the inside wheel arches they needed some repair and where fitted inplace. now these where in there it is time to close up the sides off the body by making the next panel only this one needs the arch for the wheel so I cut it a inch bigger so I can bend it around the arche.
oke thats it for now I need some b..r ugh now
cheers jaap

[jaap de wit]

oke I have cut the side metal and it go's on right now.
on the corner this sheet fits over the nails of the front and the back sides so they stay in place. I nailed the side through both sheets and these are coverd with metal strips so these nails stay in as well. I will show pictures of them later. The back door that I gave a new skin is fitted now and needed some adjusting to fit nicely. In the back rightside there is or has to be a panel with louvers to vent the generator compartment so I started to make the one for the back. this took so time to get it right to fit and look good.
this metal shaping is time consumming and hard work and get you drinking b.. ugh.
cheers jaap

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by jaap de wit

oke I have cut the side metal and it go's on right now.
on the corner this sheet fits over the nails of the front and the back sides so they stay in place. I nailed the side through both sheets and these are coverd with metal strips so these nails stay in as well. I will show pictures of them later. The back door that I gave a new skin is fitted now and needed some adjusting to fit nicely. In the back rightside there is or has to be a panel with louvers to vent the generator compartment so I started to make the one for the back. this took so time to get it right to fit and look good.
this metal shaping is time consumming and hard work and get you drinking b.. ugh.
cheers jaap

Jaap..
You are doing too good of a job..!!
Remember that all these bodies were assembled by hastily trained wartime labour..in Canada..
and some small imperfections were obviously over looked in the manufacture of these bodies..
So after it is all nicely finished and painted..beat on the side of it with the wheel wrench..so you can say...."Now it is right..Just like Canadians..Great but not perfect..!!"
Nice job..I am enjoying the thread..

[jaap de wit]

thanks alex for the thumps up, but I can't beatup the body the truck would not like it and get even with me by stop working I think
that was a joke,
it was time to start on the roof to go in to place, but first I had to paint the inside because it is easyer now than to paint above your head. I insulated the roof first before it was put on the truck. when the roof was on the truck it was screwed on to the frame and then it took some work to get the sheet metal into place. I glued it on and then bent the sides and secured them in place with nails. I placed some bricks on the roof so the glue sticks to the metal sheets. when this is dry then I can bent the sheets around the front and back walls.
cheers jaap

[jaap de wit]

so the glue on the roof is dryed up now and I can start by screwing on some strips across the seems on the roof. then I used some kitt to close everything so there can't get any water in.
on the sides I nailed the roof panels to the frame. the front and the back roofpanels I bend down the overlapping part.
now this was bend down I have to make a mall to bend the strips around nice so they can be screwed on the front and back to top things off.
On both sides above the windows ( they have to be made jet) and were the roof starts, there must be a wooden ridge , this ridge is to attache the 2 canvas tent roofs that come on later. these wood strips keep the roof nails in place to. after all this us of a screwdriver, I think about 120 of them I was in need of a big pot off not
cheers jaap

[jaap de wit]

hi guy's the radiobody starts to get in shape don't you think.
now all the sheet metal panels are on the truck I had to make a raincap above the door.
then I thought it was time for some painting, allway's nice to do this.
first the roof was painted black twice. then the sides go green and whalla it looks a hundred backs. the windows come in later because I have to make the frames myself so I do this after I have the registration on the truck.
I cleaned the date plate for the body and attached it.
(body, fitted for wireless, No.1, mk 3 m.c.c. cont. No.23/7447 ser. No 391)
look's good dos it. now the only thing to do to make the body water tide is the small window above the cab. sorry this comes next time.
cheers jaap

[Bob Carriere]

....a rare piece to feast the eye !!!!

Very well done.....

Bob C

[jaap de wit]

thanks bob , when I told my truck you like looking a her see blushed dark green so bob I hope you don't hurt your eyes by looking ad my truck to much.
I wanted to post this earlier but had some more important things on my mind, registration of the truck for a dutch titel.

oke the top small window of the radiobody had to be made. I only had the hinge part and the glas, the rest was gone. I started by cutting strips of ironsheet to bent the frame from. this took some time and hammering to do it right. they were then cut to the right lenght and fitted to see if it fits nice with the glas. then I welded the parts together and whalla we have a window.
the 2 stands to keep the window open were attached and the window was put in place and painted. now it only needs the rubber seal and it is water tight, ( I hope). the holle proces took me the holle weekend but I am happy with the result so no time waisted I think.

[jaap de wit]

the big moment was finely there it was time to go to the registration office to get the truck on a titel.
I took all the manuels and pictures of this cab 11 type with me so I could prove that the truck is from 1940, ect, ect. it was very cold on the vryday morning to drive to the office but I wasn't driving that fast so it was oke.
the truck drove nice but on full speed it shocked a bit so I have to look at this later. ad the registration office they checked the chassis no, if there was a titel on the truck before and this was never before.
then I had to drive the truck on a scale to way it, and it was 2340 kg
and this was more then I thought. Now it was time to drive in to the garage for the big checkup. I had to explane the chassis no, the cab type, ect, and this was excepted as early 1940. then the technical side of the truck was checked and yes this was oke to.
so after a hour I was back at the counter to pay and I had a dutch titel yessss So after 2 1/2 years of work the truck can drive on the road again, legaly. this asked for a big cake.
now this is dealed with I can start making the side and rear window frames and all the finising things that nead to be done to make this truck realy great.
cheers jaap

[austin tilly]

congrats....

I had lots to catch up on your restoration..... and it looks superb!!

Can't wait to see it sometime in Holland

Cheers
Arjan

[Craig Tanner]

Congratulations!!! The thoroughness and attention to detail are truly an inspiration. When I get frustrated with my progress, (lack of it) I read your thread in it's entirety and find new momentum, and motivation. Thank you for this outstanding story, it is by far my favorite restoration thread. I look forward to seeing more photos, especially when you finish the back of the van box.

Craig Tanner
Burton N.B

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Jaap.
I have followed your progress with great interest..not only another Canadian truck back on the road again but done by a very skillful and dedicated road warrior..Jif would be pleased..

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Jaap

I've watched with interest and appreciation your progress on this restoration. It goes almost without saying great work. Whats next equipping of the box?

Your 2 1/2 year restoration process has been a speedy one given the detailed nature of the work you have done.

Now as a continuation of this thread or as a new one, please keep us posted on your travels with the Chev I would love to see its travels. Drive and enjoy your prize.

Cheers Phil