British Empire Staff Cars

[Steve Guthrie]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

The markings appear to be those of CMHQ.

I agree Ed. The 'Arm of Service' marking is typical of CMHQ, a black field with an abbreviated title added to the GHQ white bar. The '39' Ford has a very early Census marking but no head light masks, just like the two jeeps. That an the high gloss paintwork would seem to indicate the immediate post war period. What sort of boots is the soldier on the left wearing?

[Ed Storey]

The footwear on the fellow on the left appear to be High Top 'Assault' Boots.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Bantam BRC-40 an Chevrolet(?) staff car in North Africa. Both camouflaged.

Courtesy of John J. Valenti.

C683CADD-75AE-458B-A9A5-0093D7E802EC.jpeg

[Keith Brooker]

A few more from my collection.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Keith Brooker

A few more from my collection.

Serious accidents were the order of the day, I reckon.

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Bantam BRC-40 an Chevrolet(?) staff car in North Africa. Both camouflaged.

Courtesy of John J. Valenti.

Attachment 120343

The Chevrolet sedan is a Fisher bodied 1940 model.

https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/upl...-Chevrolet.pdf .

It differed from the Australian body by having a one piece rear window and a slightly different shape to the boot area.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by lynx42

The Chevrolet sedan is a Fisher bodied 1940 model.

https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/upl...-Chevrolet.pdf .

It differed from the Australian body by having a one piece rear window and a slightly different shape to the boot area.

Thanks for that Rick. I grabbed some screenshots from that catalogue.
Screenshot_2021-03-01 1940-Chevrolet pdf.jpg


Despite the availability of "Knee-Action" IFS, I think the army went for the more conventional and sturdy leaf spring suspension.
Screenshot_2021-03-01 1940-Chevrolet pdf(1).jpg Screenshot_2021-03-01 1940-Chevrolet pdf(2).jpg

[Lang]

All those 1930's ads show the cars elongated. If they thought people liked that look why did they not build them like that?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Lang

All those 1930's ads show the cars elongated. If they thought people liked that look why did they not build them like that?

It's called "marketing". All they do is to lure you into buying that sleek limousine

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Despite the availability of "Knee-Action" IFS, I think the army went for the more conventional and sturdy leaf spring suspension.

As you know, Hanno, my 1940 Chev staff car was the car used by the then Brigadier Stanley Savige, as OIC 17th Brigade 6th Division AIF. It has the IFS set up. It also had a pack-rack for the sand channels and dents to show where it had been fitted and where the channels were thrown up, denting it above the rear window.

58580494_318304598810223_2480306998843801600_o.jpg

Here it is followed by my 1939 WA Chev, LRDP replica and my M3A1 White Scout Car.

Regards Rick.

[Keith Brooker]

A few more from my collection.

aa staff car M10137.jpg

german staff car (2018_01_13 18_51_57 UTC).jpg bunny german army + Bedford MW.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by lynx42

As you know, Hanno, my 1940 Chev staff car was the car used by the then Brigadier Stanley Savige, as OIC 17th Brigade 6th Division AIF. It has the IFS set up. It also had a pack-rack for the sand channels and dents to show where it had been fitted and where the channels were thrown up, denting it above the rear window.

Hello Rick, that's interesting to read.

I made my remark knowing that the army wouldn't order luxury vehicles but workhorses. Hence no 1940 Special De Luxe or Master De Luxe but a plain Master 85.

Apparently the configuration of the army vehicles differed from the civilian line up.