Just bought a very rusty CMP

[ChrisH]

Hi,

Firstly thanks for letting me join the forum.

I've just bought a very rusty Ford CMP.

The wheel base is 134 1/4" and it is 4x4, I think this makes it a F-30 or a F-60S (going by the maintenance manual). The data plates are yet to be found, they were removed years ago by the current owners late father.

It has stood for 20+ years and the cab and rear body are in a bad way but the chassis is solid and it is all there so worth saving.

Could someone help confirm if it is a F-30 or a F-60S and what the rear body type is please? ( I know the crane is not original, that is just thrown in the back along with other junk).

The plan is to get it mobile so I can truck it to my place and then asses it better.

I am also part way through a '43 Willys MB restoration so although this is meant to wait until after I have completed the Willys I know temptation will get the better of me and I will start stripping the CMP down.

I live in Hampshire in the UK, are there any other UK members on here?

Cheers, Chris

I'm just trying to sort out the links to the photo's, not working at the moment!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Hello Chris,

Welcome on here and what a way to enter! I've downloaded your pics and attached to this message (see this thread on how to do that).

From what I see this is a F60S LAAT, built in 1945 (or possibly 1944). There is a lot of bodywork to be done, but worse trucks have been restored before. CMPs are always worth restoring... I have attached a picture of a restored example.

I'm sure you will find like-minded people here and the parts you need.

Hanno

[ChrisH]

Hi Hanno,

Thanks for sorting out the photo's. There is a lot of work to be done but what a great truck it will be when I'm done.

What does LAAT stand for?

Cheers, Chris

[Shaun Mastin]

Haven’t restored one. But it looks like it’s all mostly flat panel sheet work , which makes life a lot easier

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Chris, LAAT stands for light anti-aircraft artillery tractor.

So once you've done up the truck you'll have to start looking for the 40-mm Bofors gun it towed...

H.

[Mike Gurr]

Hi Chris,
I am in Camberley on the Surrey/Hants borer so it depends where in Hampshire you are?

[ChrisH]

Hi Mike, I'm not far away, Bramley near Basingstoke.

Cheers, Chris

[ChrisH]

Small update.

Got some air in the tires, they are shot but hold air which is all I need to get the CMP moved.

Good news the brakes are not seized on.

Bad news the cab is beyond saving and will by 95% new by the time I'm done.

Please can someone confirm which model of cab it is and does anyone know of any for sale in the UK?

Along with the cab I will also need a pair of doors and a pair of fuel tanks if anyone knows of any available please.

Thanks Chris

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Hello Chris,

The cab on your truck is a Cab No. 13. It is a late one with the “Ford Canada” pressings under the headlights.

James Gosling has a front clip for sale, see http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=29842
It is an intermediate one with only “Ford” pressed in. But it will fit your truck and will solve the problem of restoring what looks easy because of the flat panel sections, but in reality is an intricate assembly.

HTH,
Hanno

[James P]

If you have the space in a shop or garage that original/as found CMP front would make for a cool piece of wall art after you source a donor cab. Maybe even wire in some lights to give it some use and purpose.

[Tony Smith]

And don't throw out the plate covering the RH headlight opening. It is an original Bridge Class Disc!

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

And don't throw out the plate covering the RH headlight opening. It is an original Bridge Class Disc!

Hi Tony. I have seen lots of photo's of CMP's with the round disc in the RH headlight opening, would like to keep it that way but unsure of the legality of it on British roads?

Cheers, Chris

[Jonathan Moore]

Just rebuild what's there, it's easy enough. You might as well get used to it as you will have to do the same to the rest of the vehicle. Anyway nice vehicle and an interesting project.

Jon

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

Hi Tony. I have seen lots of photo's of CMP's with the round disc in the RH headlight opening, would like to keep it that way but unsure of the legality of it on British roads?

You could fit separate headlights, that’s perfectly legal:

[Mike Gurr]

On my Bedford OY I wanted to keep the same set up so set the R/H headlamp back a couple of inches to allow the plate to be fitted across in front of it. For road use I just unscrewed the plate to reveal the light.

[Andy Mitchell]

Hi Chris, looks like a feasible project, but a lot of work. I know Mike Gurr well, we share a workshop and I have a Ford F30 LAAT as well. More than happy for you to come and have a look sometime, we are near Godstone in Surrey (jct 6 m25)

[ChrisH]

Been a while but finally got the CMP moved. Plan is to get the cab and nose cone off and engine out so I can work on them, then turn my attention to the chassis and running gear next year.

Photo's to follow of the progress

Cheers, Chris

[ChrisH]

So, over a year has passed since my last post....

It's been a busy year for me on the personal front hence no progress has been made however things are more settled now so I have moved the CMP home and into the back garden.

The back body and cab are beyond saving and the chassis is going to need some fairly big rust repair so before I delve in any deeper I'd appreciate if the UK members could let me know if any of the following is available:

1 - Chassis
2 - Cab
3 - Windscreen
4 - Wings

If this turns out to be a feasible project I'm planning on putting a military box body on the back and turn it into a camper for myself and my two daughters.

Admins, if I should have posted this in the wanted section then please do move it, I wasn't sure.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Hello Chris, good to see you were able to move it onto your own premises and get it under cover.

If you need Chassis, Cab, Windscreen, Wings and make a body, you may want to consider to find another CMP truck for sale and use this one as a source or spares?

Best to post a new wanted ad in the For Sale & Wanted section: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15

Originally Posted by ChrisH

So, over a year has passed since my last post....

It's been a busy year for me on the personal front hence no progress has been made however things are more settled now so I have moved the CMP home and into the back garden.

The back body and cab are beyond saving and the chassis is going to need some fairly big rust repair so before I delve in any deeper I'd appreciate if the UK members could let me know if any of the following is available:

1 - Chassis
2 - Cab
3 - Windscreen
4 - Wings

If this turns out to be a feasible project I'm planning on putting a military box body on the back and turn it into a camper for myself and my two daughters.

Admins, if I should have posted this in the wanted section then please do move it, I wasn't sure.