Chevrolet photos wanted

[Lang]

Thanks Mike

My vehicle is the later style (commonly called 1941 model in USA but 1942 in Australia)

The Australian built bodies were a little different to the American bodies, which mine has, but close enough to do a representation. There are several photos on this thread of the two types to compare, as well as a good film clip shot in the Middle East of an Australian body.

The rear doors are the most eye-catching difference.

I do not know what rating the Australian vans were but the USA vans were split between 1/2 ton and 3/4. Mine is 3/4 ton with heavy axle and open drive shaft being the only major differences.

As mentioned above very few were built for the US military ie no 1/2ton in 1941 and only 4 of the 3/4 ton of which mine is one. In 1942 they built 65 and 44 respectively. There were about a thousand Suburban (vans with windows) and 2,500 pick-up military versions.

I strongly suspect the Australian built military panel vans outnumbered the American military production considerably. Of course the Americans produced several thousand vans for civilian use in 1941/42.

Lang

Lang

[Mike Cecil]

Lang,

I only went looking for 1941 chassis numbers, but there are plenty of 1942 Series 15 Chev's described as 'Van, Panel' with the RAAF and a smaller number with the USASOS, (described as 15 cwt in the CDC returns).

Mike

[Lang]

Thanks Mike.

I may go down that road as I am yet to find a Chevrolet 1/2 or 3/4 Panel Van in Europe. There are several Suburbans and even Pick-ups in photos.

Just as a reference here is the rear of mine. A lot more style in the doors and rear panel than the Australian body.


Lang

[Mike K]

I think the series 13 is the earlier 113" wb models ,1940. The series 15 are 1941 models ( with the waterfall grill ) 115" wb . Both were known as Vans 15cwt in the Aust. army . GMH kept up with the US year models, everybody here refers to the waterfall grill as 42 but that isn't correct , GMH and the army used 41.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

It seems a Chevrolet Ambulance was donated to the Dutch Queen in 1941.

Could it be this one....

Chevy 1 1/2 ton panel truck ambulance, used to be owned by a Mr Joe Smith in the UK:

634F00C4-944C-4008-92A6-00F2238ED731.jpeg

Plus a random pic of a 6x4 chassis/cab being assembled by the GWR workshops in Caerphilly from boxed kits:

A3DE3D18-EFE0-4394-B16D-576B7E29F0B0.jpeg

[Lang]

Just got home today from 5 weeks in Clyde Texas working on the 3/4 ton panel van.

As usual, a lot more work involved than first imagined and of course the last 10% takes 90% of the time.

Engine rebuilt, body ready for painting, complete brake system renewal etc etc.

The only modification is the fitting of a Borg Warner T5 .72 overdrive 5 speed gearbox. This is a bolt in modification with an online spacer plate. Of course the drive shaft had to be altered ($250). This will drop the RPM from 2,850 at 60mph to about 2,100.

In the hands of a painter.

The intention is to go back to USA in March, drive it by a circuitous route to the east coast before shipping roll-on, roll-off to Europe for D-Day 75th in Normandy.

I will probably sell it there.

Lang

[motto]

Looking good Lang.
You shouldn't have much trouble selling it. It will be a very practical runabout MV.

Dave