Chev 6 Seater Utility

[motto (RIP)]

A subject was touched on here that though being off topic deserves a little more recognition. During WW2 by dint of incredible effort a vehicular track was carved through the Owen Stanley Range to Wau on the northern slopes. It was known as the Bulldog Road.The story of its construction over an 8 month period is little known as it took place in what soon became a backwater as the war moved on.
Hats off to the unsung Diggers and Natives involved.
Beautiful job on the truck Wayne!

David

[Mike Cecil]

Funny you should mention that, Dave: I've just finished an article on jeep trailers for the next issue of the MJCQ journal 'Command Reconnaissance' and that road gets a mention due to the extreme repair & maintenance required on Aust No.2 jeep trailers being towed back and forth along it.

Mike

[Wayne Henderson]

Hi Mike, I have the 1944 Field Specs No. 1023 for the 6 Seater which I kindly got from Keith, as well as most of the photos I use as reference in the rebuild, cheers Keith.

The specs lists the usual spares that go in most vehicles, accessories,tools, ropes etc. I have a lot of the required parts plus a few map cases and DD luggage and other officer garnish. Still looking for a folding table, a single scotch and bits I didn't know I needed til I see them.

There are clues to be found like lights, dome (2),blinds, poles extension and others that had me head scratching until it dawned on me what went where.

The gun mounting pictured is listed as "Mountings Bren Gun Roof (4)"

[hrpearce]

Originally Posted by motto

A subject was touched on here that though being off topic deserves a little more recognition. During WW2 by dint of incredible effort a vehicular track was carved through the Owen Stanley Range to Wau on the northern slopes. It was known as the Bulldog Road.The story of its construction over an 8 month period is little known as it took place in what soon became a backwater as the war moved on.
Hats off to the unsung Diggers and Natives involved.
Beautiful job on the truck Wayne!

David

My Uncle by Marriage was a Sapper on the Bulldog road and there is a chapter on the hardships of building it in a book called Maker and Breaker by John Grover.

[Mike Cecil]

Yes, it was the VOL list in the MVFS I was referring to.

You'll have noted that it lists a 'Cover, Windscreen, Anti-Glare' (or similar name) but instead of two, it shows only one. Which suggests it must have been a full-width, two windscreen cover, rather than two individual single windscreen covers.

Mike

[Wayne Henderson]

The original doors on this truck were mounted as "suicide" but some time during service were changed around to the standard opening style.
I wanted the doors as they originally were fitted.

The original doors are wood framed with a steel sheet cover, like the rest of the rear section. I copied the originals and made them out of Tasmanian Oak and the weight difference is about half. The lock holding block was a test in woodwork skill.

The original hinges needed a bit of work but turned out well.
Running real low on brass wood screws now

Wayne

[Wayne Henderson]

The door window follows the same lines as the rear windows, or does now.
The door handle was broken on the inside but a trip to the local vintage club parts shed supplied several replacements. I think these are a standard Chev car door handle, no key lock on the outside.
There in a leather check strap to be fitted to the doors but that will come later when all the leather work gets done in one hit.

Wayne

[Keith Webb]

Nice work there Wayne... are you going to hang them the way they were originally mounted as suicide opening?

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Wayne,

Was it real leather or leatherette that was used, please?

Nice job with the doors!

Mike

[Wayne Henderson]

Hi Keith, yes, back on as they were originally.

Mike, the seats are covered in leatherette as are the covers over the hand holds mounted on the floor. The corner of the original back section is pictured.

The Chev seats are sections sewn together and brass eyelets in the base to let the air in and out. The photos of the Ford interior show the seats as one full section of leather or leatherette.

The door check straps were leather as are the straps that hold the seats upright. The originals survived but I will get a local saddle maker to do these.

Have heard stories about comfy leather seats being in these vehicles, maybe that's the Ford.

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by motto

A subject was touched on here that though being off topic deserves a little more recognition. During WW2 by dint of incredible effort a vehicular track was carved through the Owen Stanley Range to Wau on the northern slopes. It was known as the Bulldog Road.The story of its construction over an 8 month period is little known as it took place in what soon became a backwater as the war moved on.
Hats off to the unsung Diggers and Natives involved.
Beautiful job on the truck Wayne!

David

David, I think you will find that Kanga Force was involved on building that road. My father was part of Kanga Force, his mob, the 2/7th Independent Commando Co. and others were involved in building the road to make the Japs think that there was more happening than what was actually going on. This caused the Japs to put more troops into an area where we were better prepared for them. Dads mob only had 2 Jeeps at that stage and Dad was responsible for both of them as well as his ongoing commando responsibilities.

Regards Rick.

BTW. Wayne, I am also really enjoying your restoration of such a rare vehicle.

[David Dunlop]

It's going to look very POSH when it's finished, Wayne.

You may have to make it available for future Royal Visits!


David

[Lionelgee]

Hello Wayne,

How is the progress on the Chevrolet six seater going?

I see you might be distracted by something with a little more solid metal on it in another thread

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Wayne Henderson]

Hi Lionel,
All quiet on the Wooden Front.
Advancing with armour at present.
Wayne.

[Rod Diery]

c15-onfarm2.JPG

This is the remains of my C15 6 seater utility as it was when I acquired it about 1998. Wayne Henderson and I later visited the farm again and found lots of bits and pieces on the rubbish tip which Wayne salvaged for use in his restoraion.

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Rod Diery

Attachment 82340

This is the remains of my C15 6 seater utility as it was when I acquired it about 1998. Wayne Henderson and I later visited the farm again and found lots of bits and pieces on the rubbish tip which Wayne salvaged for use in his restoraion.

Hello Rod,

Are you restoring the C15 6 seater that you wrote about ? Or did the baton get past over to Wayne?

Kind Regards
Lionel