Canadian contract jeeps (was: CDLV 505 Jeep Serial numbers...)

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I found some data in the copies that Clive sent me:

CARS 5-CWT 4 X 4 Ford & Willys as @ 30th April 1945, 148 units landed in UK but not assembled; 40 being assembled; 3 built and ready for delivery; 8,226 built and delivered, and 178 delivered during April 1945, with 39 to "A.A.I.".

Hope that is of interest.

[serge]

Hello

Colors pics enjoy every thread and last month in PARIS (FRANCE) there was a great exposition about old cars. The most of them were civilian cars builded before WWII but there was one ORIGINAL CANADIAN JEEP . On the windscreen of the girl , there was a pic before the retore job with it's original marking. Now she was exposed "as new".

I anybody able to explain the number on the classification bridge 5 . I believed that this number was for 15 CWT class.

Regards Serge

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Serge,

Thanks for the pictures of the Canadian jeep. Seems it is the same one as the one featured in the French book.

Originally Posted by serge

I anybody able to explain the number on the classification bridge 5 . I believed that this number was for 15 CWT class.

From http://milifax2003.tripod.com/bridgi...gs_part_1.html

"(a) Vehicles will be classified and marked according to the equivalent loads which they impose on a bridge. The classes are in multiplicity of one ton, from one ton upwards.
Vehicles can cross any bridge bearing a classification number with is the same or greater than its own classification. For example, a vehicle of class 12 can cross safely any bridge marked 12, 18 or 24. It cannot cross a bridge marked 5 or 9"

Although being much lighter, Jeeps and other light vehicles could be marked as a class 5 vehicle as they can cross a class 5 bridge (the lowest bridge class rating during WW2).

The attached pics show one jeep with a "2" on it's bridge classification sign, as when loaded it weighs 2 tons (more than 1, but less than or equal to 2), the other sports a "5" as it weighs no more than a class 5 bridge can carry!

A confusing subject, indeed. . .

Hanno

a177531-v6.jpg rkingjeep.jpg

[Barry Hampton]

Hanno, my understanding of Bridge class was 2 for a Jeep, 3 for a trailer, so combined weight equal to bridge rating 5, which is what Canada opted for as Jeep and trailer combination. Britain normally went for 2 for Jeep alone and 3 over 2 for Jeep and trailer.

[jeepingpw]

I have a
1943 GPW
DOD 3-30-43
ser. # 105568
"hood number" of 20369126 (I ran the serial number & DOD number through the web site www.g503.com & it gave me this "hood number")

Now heres the "Rest of the story"

Grandfather bought it in 1968 from a guy who said he found it in a vehicle dump in the Yukon. Year of find I don't know.

My dad got it in 1973 & ground off all coats of paint so don't know if CDN or US marked hood.

Dash plates are US.

I got it in 1983 & as a dummy, pulled the original engine & steering & replaced them with a Chev Saginaw steering box, Pinto 2.0L engine, T-90 trans.

I have the original trans/trans case & most major original components.

Don't know if it was a US issue for the Hwy, or a CDN issue for the Hwy?
Or the guy my grandfather bought it from has FOS!

Any ideas?

Thansk Kevin

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Canadian contract Jeep with Bren gun, most likely a publicity shot.

Canadian Contract Jeep with Bren.jpg

[Ian McCallum]

Reade with interest various comments on early contracts.

I have an early slat supplied under CDLV-242 and it is my understanding that the first 4 contracts had Canadian specification changes/additions all others after that were as supplied off the assembly line.

As already stated CDLV 241 was for 500 vehicles (home service) and CDLV 242 for 1500 vehicles destined for overseas service. Production of both contracts ran simultaneously within the chassis serials already mentioned all being produced within February 1942; hence all iron bar stock slat grill. Mine was manufactured on 13th.February 1942 with chassis number 119696. All vehicles within these two contracts had the rounded tank well. All had the standard early Willys parts such as pancake air filter, extended oil filler tube, longer breather, brass/bronze windscreen catches, no provision for carbine holder, green steering wheel, speedo face, 'gas' gauge, although most appear to have the 50/50 Oil pressure gauge. Brass choke/throttle cable heads, rounded/square clutch /brake pedals, axles, gearbox/transfer box, half shaft end castings, no Jerry can holder.

Canadian spec items included a single electric wiper on the drivers side, standard manual type on passenger side, towing rings both front and rear. There are also two additional dash switches with a plate stipulating 'Axle' & 'Brake' operating a convoy light on the back axle and isolating the brake lights. As the convoy light and switches are the standard Canadian toggle switches and convoy light these were either supplied to be fitted of as is my understanding a retro fit after.

Have attached some pics and will post also some war time images.

Ian

[Ian McCallum]

Photo of Dash plate shown on the previous posting. Previous photo shows how I first saw it as the owner had painted over the original brass plate and then removed the paint from the raised text and data info. On further light rubbing of the paint the '242' became visible. I thought at first it was a unique CDLV blank plate!

Also attach two photos of slat grills, which I now realise have been previously posted,and one of what I believe to be a 505 contract jeep.

[Eric B]

Hello Kevin

I looked up on my data base.
Your GPW 105568 cannot be determined if it was a CDN or US vehicle.

There is no question it would have been in US service at one point.

If your GPW had been a CDN used vehicle it would have its markings on the side of the tub, or the side of hood. It would also have some markings on the windshield and rear bumperettes. If so it would have been in a batch of reconditioned vehicles Canada bought. So would have had the US hood number painted over.


Hello Iain
you have a very nice Canadian contract MB 119696. It looks complete and does not have the later upgrades to it. I.e the fender light, fuel container etc. Are the markings on it original?
Did you buy it restored or did you do it yourself?

I have 119694 being used in Canada during the war in Toronto.

I am still working on the much in depth CDN WW2 Jeep book. Just assisted Lloyd White with some CDN chapters on his Willy's MB series. His series actually helps me as now there is no need to duplicate the non CDN manuals and data.

Thanks

Eric

[Ian McCallum]

Hi Eric,

Interesting yours is only two serials out from mine, out of interest does it still have original data plates and does it show CDLV 241 0R 242? If 241 it shows both contracts were produced in parallel.

Cannot take the glory for its restoration although have known it for years. I originally rejected it because it was not a real jeep having a slat grill! Not so wise then! It was restored by Geordie Dey, starting about10 years ago, who is in Scotland and already had a 242 contract jeep I believe manufactured on 18.2.42.

It was originally owned by an estate but was totally unmolested although they did cut the rear panel into a tailgate and a floor section had to be replaced other than that 95% original. Blackout guards are repro's the rest original parts.

Hood number and markings not original to the vehicle and none were found although serials are in the right sequence.

Ian

[Eric B]

Hello Ian

Sorry it sounded like i owned that Jeep. I wish i did.

In my data base i have that jeep on file, which is the closest serial number i have to yours.

There was no 241 data plates produced, they all had the 242 data plate.


Thanks

Eric

[Hanno Spoelstra]

At least one Canadian contract Jeep among the "800 military Jeeps await auction at a storage facility in England" in 1946 - see the lifting rings on CM 4218939 in the lower left corner.

And note the Cab 11/12 CMPs in the background.

surplus-12.jpg

Source: http://mashable.com/2015/08/15/wwii-surplus-vehicles/

[George McKenzie]

I have two Parts list manuals that CG Marshall Chief of staff issued to Major General E S Adams , when they built the Alaska Hi-way. for the MA and MB Jeeps .They are for the contract # W-398 -QM-11423 and W-398-QM-8888 .The registration numbers they list are for Willys and Ford .Would these numbers be of use to this subject ?

[marco]

Another Canadian contract Jeep.
B-squadron XII Manitoba Dragoons.
This photo was made in the UK, exact date unknown to me.

Marco