Switch Plate colours

[Jordan Baker]

HI everyone

I just got my switch plates today for my CMP and I noticed that the background colour to them is brown.

In all of the photos ive taken of restored CMPs these switch plates have been a silver/grey background. Was there a different time period that the colours would be appropriate for?

My CMP is a late war one with the round roof hatch and gauges.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Jordan Baker
I noticed that the background colour to them is brown.

In all of the photos ive taken of restored CMPs these switch plates have been a silver/grey background.

Jordan, as far as I know these plates were made of either brass or aluminium. I suspect the aluminium ones are late-war.

H.

[Keith Webb]

I have a NOS Ford cab 13 late pattern dash. These had steel switch plates with a light grey background. Brass plates were used on earlier models of Fords, with the small ones on cab 12s being the same material used for the gearshift plates, a sort of zinc alloy.

I'll take a pic.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Jordan
This is a question I've asked for a while. With my instrument cluster and panel restorations I had to create both types of switch plates. I have seen the brass ones in Cab 13s and in a panel I restored for the Australian Rover Armoured Car that had a Cab 12 cluster and panel. The brass plates had all the detail stamped into the metal and then highlighted in black whilst the silver plate details were painted/silk screened onto a steel plate as Keefy described.

Does your smaller plate have provision for Autopulse in the central hole? This was not utilised in the Australian plates where the hole was not punched out but was incorporated in plates that were attached for vehicles destined for colder climates.

Bob

[Lynn Eades]

Autopulse being the electric petrol pump?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
Does your smaller plate have provision for Autopulse in the central hole? This was not utilised in the Australian plates where the hole was not punched out but was incorporated in plates that were attached for vehicles destined for colder climates.

You mean hotter climates, don't you? The electric fuel pump was one of the Indian Army-specific provisions on CMPs.

H.

[Jordan Baker]

Here is a photo of the switch plates. These did not come with the truck but they did come off a 13 Cab Chevy CMP from Canada. Bruce Parker may have more info as to what kinda truck they were from as I got them from him.

They are definately brown in colour. That autopulse switch hole is cut out but there is some sort of socket in the hole. There is no text below the hole. Woudl this be some kind of light to let you know ignition is on?

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Jordan Baker
Here is a photo of the switch plates. These did not come with the truck but they did come off a 13 Cab Chevy CMP from Canada. Bruce Parker may have more info as to what kinda truck they were from as I got them from him.

They are definately brown in colour. That autopulse switch hole is cut out but there is some sort of socket in the hole. There is no text below the hole. Woudl this be some kind of light to let you know ignition is on?

These look like they came from a Ford - the socket should not be there - the power for the trouble lamp was mounted on the dash.

As to the colour, yes, those ones have turned brown - when new they were pale grey.

[Keith Webb]

This is what I was talking about - even the original screws!

[Jordan Baker]

Thanks Keith

Wow what 60 years will do to parts.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

The original colour is grey as shown in Keith's picture (with white lettering, much like a 19 set face). As to the socket in the centre of ther smaller plate, it's for the inspection lamp and is original. All Chev's with round instruments here have it. Apparently not Oz ones? Early Ford plates were embossed brass, and the centre hole was not punched out as the inspection lamp socket was mounted on the panel itself. Keith, would it be possible your plates are later Ford ones? Notice also that Chev toggle switches (at least the three centre ones in the larger panel) are a different shape. Ford ones had a pronounced knob at the end.

Jordan, the plates are in their original configuration and are from a 1944 13 cab Chev. The only other variation is really late war Chevs that had an additional switch on the large plate.

[Keith Webb]

Hi Bruce
Yes, this is a late production panel with round instruments which unfortunately were missing when I bought it.

The inspection socket was always located in the dash panel itself rather then on the switchplate in Fords.

[Stewart Loy]

Originally posted by Jordan Baker

Wow what 60 years will do to parts.

Jordan,

To see the ravages of time please look at Geoff - and he is only in his mid-50s ...



Stewart

[Keith Webb]

[Max Hedges]

I think that my dad is more weather beaten that Jif, and he has had to have some parts replaced.

[Keith Webb]

Emma, where do you manage to get spares for that unit?

At least it's not obsolete! Maybe been around the clock a few times, but I'm sure you can wind the speedo back with a good dose of Vegemite.

[Max Hedges]

how the hell did this subject come about
Max

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Max Hedges
how the hell did this subject come about
Max

It's great the way some threads become so convoluted - I like the fact you often don't know what's coming next!

[J R McNarry]

It's great the way some threads become so convoluted - I like the fact you often don't know what's coming next!

Ok so I've been wondering, What's Vegimite??

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

You are right of course Hanno. It's winter here at the moment with temps around 10c so my thinking is cold not hot.
Bob

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Max Hedges
how the hell did this subject come about
Max

Max, ya olde farte... it's all Stewart's fault this time. I'm entirely blameless, absolutely innocent, completely the victim here (as always). Stewart's evil, but of course he's already dead (just doesn't know it yet). I've issued orders for his dragon to eat him tonight while he's sleeping...

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
It's winter here at the moment with temps around 10c so my thinking is cold not hot.
Bob

Wow, Bob, you must be suffering big-time. We here in the Great White North are hurting for you. Our average temperature in the last while has been a paltry 40+ if you factor in the humidity. Your deep-freze will be over soon, just wrap yourself in kangaroo skins and huddle around the fire...

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by J R McNarry
Ok so I've been wondering, What's Vegimite??

Mow your grass with a scythe; rake up what's on the ground (the odd bit of dirt won't hurt, neither will the ant-droppings). Mash it all into a paste, preferably with an old rusty CMP wheelnut wrench. Add a pint of beer (strained through the kidneys, for added flavour). Let it sit in the sun for a week or so (adding liquid as required). Spread on toast and eat it.

You wonder why these Aussies are just a bit off? I'd almost rather eat raw herrings (fortunately, Hanno talked me out of THAT one, though).

Some VERY strange people we here at MLU attract.

[Jordan Baker]

Thanks to everyone

I'll get them cleaned up one of these days.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Jordan Baker
Thanks to everyone

I'll get them cleaned up one of these days.

I have it good authority that if you spread them with Vegemite and let them sit in the sun for a week, they'll come out looking brand new.

[cliff]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
I have it good authority that if you spread them with Vegemite and let them sit in the sun for a week, they'll come out looking brand new.

LOL don't I wish

cheers
Cliff

PS> having been born and bred in New Zealand I still say Marmite is better then vegemite. But Queensland weather is definately better though even if it is winter here now.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Jordan
I have replicated these plates on decals. PM if interested.
Salesman Bob

[Lynn Eades]

Jif, You forgot about the dead cow hooves, in Vegemite--- Thats why us Kiwi's prefer MARMITE.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

What a '44 Chev dash should look like:

(Plunked on the scanner)

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Note also the buff on the tip of the speedo pointer and the first 0-10-20 MPH markings, luminous and radio active a wee bit.

(Less ths dome lamps, wouldn't take on the scanner)