A Study Of Switch Plates

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hey Keefy and Rod D, tell us about the Chevrolet instrument housing that has the 5 & 3 switch plates. Show us the comparison between the Chevrolet and Ford plates. Do the Chevrolet ones exist here in Oz as they do in Europe according to Dirk L?
Bob

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - for the edification of all I have now answered my own question of the two switch plate configuration in Australian Cab 13 Chevrolets. I found an example and have managed to decipher most of the script. It is in the below detailed truck that I'm posting in the Sell section. What I need now is a good image of these plates or to borrow them to replicate.


General Motors of Canada Ltd
Chassis Model R106
Cab Model
Chassis Serial 3-8443-60514 M
Engine Serial PR 3946943
Order No E-52-384
Date of Mfg 30 6 44 AUS M

R106 is a RAAF designation - a C60L. This one possibly had a steel dropside GS body. It was assembled in Melbourne.

Bob

[Grant Bowker]

I know many parts were different between Canadian and Australian trucks, but I have doubts about at least the left hand plate in the two plate configuration shown above. A spot light seems odd for a wartime truck. As well, the lettering for the cab light label seems to be placed over the border line around the edge of the plate. The printing also looks "off", but that could be my eyes. I'm more used to seeing black printing to match the border on the plate.

On a related topic, does any one know how it was decided for trucks using the 2 plate configuration whether the left plate was set up for 5 switches or for 6?

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Grant - the problem with this plate is that the original scripting was painted over and removal of that paint in the field would have destroyed the original. Therefore a couple of those descriptions could be incorrect. WIPER could even be WIPERS. This is why I have been asking for a better example, that at this stage surprisingly, has not been forthcoming. My two main Blitz gurus have been silent on this topic.

Bob