Canadian Chevrolet Maple Leaf 4x4 artillery tractors?

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

In 1937 three photographs were delivered to the Canadian Department of National Defence of General Motors Corporation GMC 4 x 4 truck chassis as developed for the U.S.A. and Belgian Governments. It is now known that this was the GMC Model 4272, 1½ Ton 4 x 4 Cargo with the Chevrolet 206 cu. in. engine, and a wheelbase of 133 in. These were conversions of the 1936 Model Chevrolet RB with early style cab, and available also with flat-bed body and soft top cab. In respect of the latter, G.M. Continental in Antwerp, working with DAF of The Netherlands sold a 6 x 4 conversion for Chevrolet trucks from at least 1935 for the Dutch Army, using the Trado rear bogie to create the ‘Chevrolet/DAF-Trado’ Gun Tractor. DAF converted Chevrolet chassis to 4 x 4 for the Dutch Army in 1940, and had provided all-wheel drive conversions since 1935. The 1938 Pontiac GMC 4 x 4 was based on the 157 inch wheelbase Model T16B. The 1938 and 1939 GMC 6 x 6 was the Model 4929, and also used Timken-Detroit front and rear axles plus Timken transfer case.

The summer 1939 trials in Ontario witnessed by the Canadian Army etc. saw the testing of two Pontiac-designed GMC 4 x 4 military trucks destined for the Malay States, which would have been 1939 Model 4930, similar to the 1940 Model 4930 ACK-353, examples of which were exported to G.M. Continental, Antwerp and sold to the Dutch and probably Belgian Armies. However as they were Canadian chassis and 133 inch wheelbase they were Canadian GMC. Models 9433 and 9533 respectively. One each had been ordered for trials by Australia, India and Egypt. They would have been equipped with the Chevrolet 216 cu. in. unit. The Malay truck had 13.50 x 20 tyres all round and an Eaton 2-speed rear axle giving 8 forward speeds. In Australia it appears that G.M.-Holden’s imported ‘Maple-Leaf’ badged 4 x 4 trucks from 1940 onwards. This suggests that they were Model 1663 2½-tonner trucks of 133¼ in. wheelbase with imported G.M.C. 4 x 4 conversion i.e. Timken components.

I can state that the trucks for Australia went to Holden’s, the one to Egypt to Alexandria and India Bombay. I am pretty certain that the one for the Malay States was exported through GM Java in Batavia as they served the region. I conject that the two trucks went through Batavia and that at some point the NEI government were altered to the fact. GM of Canada could offer an off-the-shelf truck. However, why ‘Maple Leaf’ and not ‘GMC’? The only answer that I can come up with is that as ‘General Motors Truck’ was emblazoned on the side this hinted at US-sourcing, although in fact the Canadian GMC and Maple Leaf chassis were clones of each other and used the same engines. ‘Maple Leaf Truck’ states that it was a Canadian truck, and I keep concluding that it was Canadian pride.