Canadian staff cars: Light Cars, Heavy Cars and Station Wagons

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The objective of this thread is to pull together all the information on MLU Forum or elsewhere pertaining the procurement, manufacturing and use of Canadian Light Cars, Heavy Cars and Station Wagons - often referred to as "staff cars".


The AEDB Design Record mentions:

"In a very limited quantity, Commercial Sedans were produced to Specifications which required minor modifications for their Military Role. (...)
Likewise, Station Wagons were also produced, in which case special Military Size Tyres were used as well as Commercial Type, depending on the User's demands. The subsequent production of C.M.P. Personnel Carrier reduced the demand for Station Wagons in Active Theatre Operations to a negligible quantity. (...)"
Note: if anyone has access to the references quoted in this text, I would lke to hear from you.

So, depending on the degree of modification to suit the User's demands, these vehicles are to be regarded part of the Conventional or Modified Conventional Vehicle (or: Commercial) classes as described in the link.


As per the 1944 Vehicle Data Book we learn the Canadian Army Overseas used the following types of cars:

• Car, Light, Sedan, 4x2
• Station Wagon
• Car, Heavy, 4x2

More later as and when time permits - in the meantime, if you can add to this topic, please do so!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Via Ian McCallum: “have seen photos of them in domestic service, this '40 could be RHD, difficult to tell”

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Ford V8 staff car, 9 May 1940.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205204926

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Who can ID this Light Car?

"Allied soldiers greeting liberated Belgian children, 1944 or 1945. From the Donald Carson fonds"

Source: https://flic.kr/p/ityzKt

[Mike Kelly]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Who can ID this Light Car?

"Allied soldiers greeting liberated Belgian children, 1944 or 1945. From the Donald Carson fonds"
Attachment 131705
Source: https://flic.kr/p/ityzKt

Could be a 1942 Dodge but it is RHD ? This one was for sale in NSW

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Ford Station Wagon:

"Albert Frederick Nye (standing right) and servicemen in front of truck, parked alongside an advertising hoarding. One serviceman in long uniform and two, one a sergeant, in short trouser uniform. Fourth man's head can be seen behind the servicemen"

Source: https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.a...document/38507

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Who can ID this Light Car?

"Allied soldiers greeting liberated Belgian children, 1944 or 1945. From the Donald Carson fonds"

I agree with Mike.....1942 Dodge or Plymouth. Jordan B. has a Dodge....maybe he has found out more about the history of these Canadian production cars in the meantime. From what i read in this thread the Canadian ones are basically Plymouths badged as Dodges (?)

source: https://p15-d24.com/gallery/album/15...lymouth-p-14c/
source:https://p15-d24.com/topic/25473-1942-dodge-d23c/

Alex

[Hanno Spoelstra]

A variety of photos of Light Cars in Australian use, either at home in Western Australia or in the Middle East - photos all found on the Western Australia Collections web site

"Two soldiers next to Chevrolet vehicle, Western Australia, 1943".

Source: https://collectionswa.net.au/items/8...6-53aabf4408b1


Chevrolet cars:



Ford(?) car:



Ford C11AD/ 11ADF Station Wagon:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Jordan Baker shared an amazing (to me) find - a nice tidbit of info on the "Application of blackout to conventional pattern vehicles (Passenger Cars and Trucks":

Part of the blackout lighting kit for Chevy cars in Canadian use. The white rubber part was mounted under the back end of the car for the rear diff light to shine on. The black item is a bracket for holding all of the lighting switches.
$100 Cnd plus shipping.
Send me a msg if interested.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

One more photo of Jordan's rubber flap:

The white rubber part was mounted under the back end of the car for the rear diff light to shine on

To which Ian McCallum replied:

The C11AS also had this rubber convoy attachment mounted on the rear chassis cross member as the axle diff was not visible enough.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Spurrat

This is a one photo from a series that appears to have been in a "Life" type magazine. My Grandfather appears to have cut out all the pictures so he could bring the home.
The title that appears on one photo which I would guess was the first picture is:
28th OCTOBER 1945, DOETINCHEM (HOLLAND)
PARADE OF THE FORT GARRY HORSE IN HONOUR OF THE 4/7 ROYAL DRAGOON GUARDS
My Grandfather was in the FGH after serving in the 1CACR.

Jason shared a photo of what seems to be a standard 1940 Chevrolet Sport Sedan (the four door sedan version), in Special De Luxe trim which included bumper guards and stainless steel hood, body belt and windshield trim moldings. There seem to be no modifications in lighting, paint, etc. for military service.

Apparently, nearer the end of the war, the Canadian military saw no need to only buy Chevrolet cars of the plan Jane Master 85 variety with adaptations befitting military service. Of course these Light Cars did not serve in frontline units, so a standard civilian car would do just as well.

For comparison: drawing from the 1940 Chevrolet Car brochure, somewhat changed to make the length vs. height dimensions more realistic:

Source: https://xr793.com/chevrolet-1940-1949

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

As per the 1944 Vehicle Data Book we learn the Canadian Army Overseas used the following types of cars:

• Car, Light, Sedan, 4x2

These are the three Light Cars as used by the Canadian Army Overseas listed in the Vehicle Data Book: Ford, General Motors (Chevrolet) and Chrysler.

Read more about the Chrysler-built Car, Light, Sedan 4x2 LC427-C-PASS-1 here: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=32758

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Canadian 1941 Ford Fordor Sedan staff car entering Frederikspark, Haarlem, The Netherlands, 8 May 1945.

It looks like it has right hand drive.

The staff car is from HQ 2 Infantry Brigade, First Canadian Division and the scout car belongs to the 12th Armoured Regiment (Three Rivers) of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade.


Source: https://hdl.handle.net/21.12102/4B4F...528EDC32D510CB

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Rod Shaver posted a trouble lamp for sale. Seeing the C21AS part number I'd say this was part of the kit delivered with a 1942 Ford Sedan or Station Wagon.

For Sale!
Original NOS trouble lamp for a Canadian Ford truck. NOS in original box. Unfortunately the cord is somewhat brittle. But I have never seen one before. Asking $100 plus shipping. I do pay pal. PM me for shipping details. Thanks.

[rob love]

I received one of those trouble lamps with a 3 ton truck I purchased years back. The trouble lamp was made for a standard household screw type bulb, and had an adapter to bring the socket down to an automotive 6v bulb. Most likely the quartermaster or MT section did not care what trouble light was issued to what vehicle, as long as it worked.