Another Dodge D8A found in Italy?

[Mike K]

A RHD WC 21 I bought in 1978... they fitted a TJR cab

Mishap when loading. big load for the little rover

[gustavo]

Today I got the frame: 99.9% it is NOT a D8A, most probably a T215.
It seems that RHD hole has never been cut, this frame has always been a LHD.
Last unexplained mistery is the desert stone paint, sprayed directly on the frame : this is the reason why the score is not 100%.
The American Dodge frame numbers are the original ones.
I guess after the war someone bought this open cab truck, removed the cargo bed and exchanged the open cab with a D15 cab to improve comfort.

Now the question is what to do with this frame, I am thinking at 2 options:

1) Go back on originality, asking to Chrisler the build card of this frame to understand how it was when it left the production line.

2) Go ahead building a D8A replica, trying to be as accurate as possible.

Option 1 would respect originality but the final result would be one of the many, option 2 will give the chance to many to see how this rare vehicle was.

In the next days I will visit a farm close to my home where I saw several trailers made after ww2 using Canadian wheels: I know for sure I will find at least 4 wheels (6 bolts), wight now I am interested to see their hubs. If it is possible to put together 4 British hubs, may be option 2 will go ahead.

Cargo bed is probably not so complicate to rebuild after a visit in Austria.

Thank you very much again for your support.

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

A RHD WC 21 I bought in 1978... they fitted a TJR cab

Mishap when loading. big load for the little rover

I am sure you didn't find policemen on the way back!
Did the front wheels touch the ground?

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by gustavo

I am sure you didn't find policemen on the way back!
Did the front wheels touch the ground?

You are correct, we had a break at a cafe where the cops stopped and had a look but they let us go The Land Rover belonged to Bevan Fenner , he was confident about its towing ability but it was a scary, slow trip back. Keith Hall, the guy we bought the WC21 from, was rather doubtful about our chances but the little Land Rover did the job......just .

Go for the D8A ...biggest problem will be the hubs for the CMP type wheels . Warren had some made specially