Help wanted on early CMP C15
 

Hello,
My name is John and I am living in the Netherlands. Recently i came across a early C8 (I think) cab11. With a 2A1 body. It is partly restored with care and the vihicle seems very complete to me! Unfortunatly No dateplate;-(
I have bought it (I consider myself very lucky!) and start completing the resoration asap
The truck is stil at the Sellers address. I Will post pictures when I pick the truck up.
I would like to ask the experts on this forum if they can point me in the right direction regarding the research on some numbers and letters i have found on the engine.

I have seen the following markings:
0R CH dP (small letters left above the following characters on the same spot)
PV50I6xx (I am not sure on the P could be also a R, the last two are digits but I prefer not to reveal them)
I would be happy with what ever information regarding the engine comes up and if there is a link with the model it sits in.
Thanks in advance!
John

Hi John,

Welcome on the forum and congratulations on the purchase of the early Chev!

Some info on engine/chassis numbers of C8's can be found here on the forum:
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...?t=6749&page=6

More info on engine numbers can be found in the link below. A lot of the info on this site actually comes from MLU's David Hayward, who has sadly passed away a few years ago.
http://hotrod.gregwapling.com/chev-t...dian-chev.html

Judging from your description that it has a 2A1 body, I wonder if it could be a C15, in stead of a C8. Is it a wooden body?

Please post some pictures of the truck when you have picked it up.

Alex

Thanks Alex for the welcom!

I have found the database, but tough the search option, I couldn't find anything simmelar to the engine number I have found.
Also the additional little letters have to mean something and I can't emagine that this is the first truck where they are found at.

Nevertheless I think this forum is absolute the place to be to gather information on my CMP Chevy.
And I will be a regular visitor for sure!

The body is indeed full wood, the sides and back can be opened in downward position!
The spare wheel and toolbox are positioned in between the cab and body!
the truck has two full back fenders.
After studying several pictures and discussions in this Forum I must conclude is is a 2A1.

I am new in this scene and not familiar with the CMP vihicles. as far As my knowledge goes it is possible that the truck is a C15. I was informed that the previous owner died before he could finish it. Very sad!
And the seller was not really into wartime Vihicles and had told me what he heard. So for me all motivated options are open :)

Alex does your remark on the body means that there where no C8 with the 2A1 body?

I have done some search on the web to identifying differences between C8 4x2 and C15 4x2. But could not find helpful information!
At the moment I don't know the chassisnumber but recall that i have seen on the French registration papers the truck is mentioned as " model 84"

Will be continued I assume!
I will send pictures when I pick the truck up for more details.
For now I am open for suggestions and help!

This is a picture of the engine nr i have found. after the 6 there are two digets more.

Here's my thread on the C15 with a 2A1 body.

Thanks David,
I have looked over your threat and his is helpful indeed. Nice job!
A good impression for when I start to rebuild the body!
I have the luck that the body is rotten but very complete with all wood and hardware.
Hope I will find some identification on the type that confirms it is a C15.

I would like to ask you an additional question....
Is the number I posted not the engine number? I have read something on cast numbers that could identify the production date!

Kind regards!
John

Hello John

Welcome to MLU and congratulations on buying a CMP.

Reading your description somehow did ring a bell: is it this truck? Then it is a C15.

Regards,
Hanno

Attachment 90911

Same here!
John, if this is indeed your truck..than you have certainly bought a nice Chev!!!

That's correct; a C8 would originally have had a 1A1/1A2 or 1B1/1B2 body. bodies starting with "2" were intended for the 15cwt trucks.

A quick way to tell a C8 from a C15 is the wheels size and the cab step...
A C15 has 16inch rims, a C8 has 13inch rims. C15 has a cab step, C8 does not have a cab step. There are lots more differences, but this is a start.

John, a picture of the engine would help....is it a 216? or could it be a 235? There are a few websites that cover engine numbers and casting numbers. I wonder if "0R CH dP" would indicate a rebuild at some stage (?)

Alex

Thanks Hanno and Alex,

This helpt indeed the cab has steps and the wheels have 16 inch rims! With the 2A1 body makes it more than likely that it is a C15!

That is indeed the picture of a previous advertisement of the Chevy I bought. I had a expert with me who is restoring old cars (not military) and he had the impression that the restoration was done with great care.

So I am a proud owner of a early C15 still very nice;-)

The technical parts are restored already and I have to rebuild the body and register it for the road!
I wil post a more pictures as soon as I have picked up the truck! Can't wait.
Kind regards,
John

Any tips or suggestions on suppliers the correct paint and canvas in the Netherlands?

Thanks!
Now with new signature;-)

C15
 

Great looking truck, a very early cab 11 without the air vents , built in the first batch I would think, around April/May 1940.

A few of the C15 cab 12 version have surfaced here in Aust. Vic Philips had one, Barry Ryan had one, there was another down Geelong way , a VMVC member Malcom Dunn bought. Another was down near Heyfield , Gippsland- I gave him one of my NOS doors, never seen him since

Thanks Mike,
April/may 1940 would be possible.
It was sold a a early type although the original owner dates is as 1939.

I hope to find a chassisnumber or dateplate or something to confirm and helps me with the year of origin!

Nice to hear that they are cherished all over the World. And this forum helps a great deal in the quest to preserve them in a respectful way!

I see that yours is a 15 cwt GS -Van
Does "Van" mean that is a closed body type?

Regards,
John

Some pictures
 

I would try to post some pictures with the early characteristics and the (casting) numbers I have found on the engine and gearbox.

The truck is powered by a (running) 216 Engine, has RF tyres and non folding seats. No vents, Dot and dash flour board. All that means "Early" I understood!

I would like to know if possible if it is the first engine and is it plausible authentic to A early truck!

Any feedback is welcome!

@webmaster or members: is it possible to change the title of the thread because my truck appears to be a C15

Kind regards

No luck with the pictures...don't know why??
The following numbers I have found today in addition to the Serie numbers I have posted before!

(Casting) Gearbox K 19. 2 GM 590474

(Casting) Engine GM 839931 3 Triangel

All help and feedback is welcome!
Kind regards,
John

Done, it surely is a C15!

Did you try as per Posting Images?

Hanno

Question remains now with pictures;-)

And some more..

Attachment 91328

Attachment 91329

foto's of the 2A1 body...(remains)..

body
 

I have a very early cab 11 and you may find out as I did, issues with the cab panels fitting together . I found some graphic evidence where panels had been roughly hammered in order to make them fit together . It was a while , maybe a few months before the factory managed to adjust the various bits n pieces with a neat fitting appearance. The main cab arch bar frame on mine was twisted and it seems to been made that way, other cab 11 owners have also noticed the same problem when it comes to assembly.

Thanks Mike,
I have seen the potential work on the panel fitting. It seems to me a bit unusual but good to hear that this comes with the early ones;-)

Regards John

My research on the engine is a step further the castingnumber on the engine 839931 appears to be of a 235 engine.
In the cilinderhead I found L203 what means:
L = Dec
20 is the day of the month
3 must be 1943

So my engine mistery is solved;-)

In one of the cilinders I found STD on the piston what appears to mean "standard" so still the original piston in the Engine!

So my guess is that is a replacement engine (1943) but very good condition

John,

As far as I know the 235-cu.in. engine went into production from 1941, but was used for large trucks. I doubt this was a wartime replacement, as standardization was the name of the game in the interests of logistics (which is why the Allies won the war).

Anyhow, it is nice your truck has a wartime engine which is practically the same as the 216-cu.in. engine it would have had from when originally built.

Hanno

John,

For a correctly fitting canvas you would have to go to a professional sail maker, or go to a company like John & Mary Worthing (canvasco.com). They sell standard 15-cwt covers.

Alternatively, buy a 4x4 canvas tarp (I bought mine at legertenten.com) and fit it over the top bows. Buy or borrow a sowing machine and make alterations if needed.

As for paint: I would try to match up the paint already used on your truck, as the restoration is halfway completion. None of the military vehicle dealer in the Netherlands sell accurate Commonwealth paint colours.

HTH,
Hanno

Here are some more pictures I got from the previous owner. I think you bought a great project truck with much of the hard work done.

Attachment 91710 Attachment 91712 Attachment 91713 Attachment 91714

Attachment 91711

I am pretty sure this C15 is the same which was for sale in France around 2006:

Point well made Mike, the arch bar is a particular issue to fit correctly also the floor plates around the front wheel wells can be an issue (there are two different sizes depending on the date of manufacture). The 12 cabs seem to be a better fit all round but once again the arch bar can be an issue particularly on the front mountings. I have found the best way to assemble the cabs is to put as much as you can together loosely then carefully jack the cab floor and/ or frame to close the gaps and go round several times pulling up all the bolts until a reasonable fit is achieved. Chevrolet in particular have metal packing pieces inserted in things like wing and step brackets and shock absorber mounts to tilt or twist the brackets to fit these need to be in place or else they will not line up.

Pete

Can someone help me with info on the rubber between the window(s) and the frame is the Cab11.
There was no rubber left (it was stripped) when I bought the C15 and now I try to figure out what I need and where to get it from!

Thanks!

Thanks Hanno,
Thanks for the info and the tips on the canvas!
For the colour I choose the Britisch green No.15 Despite the work that comes with it.
It will represent the C15 4x2 in Britisch service in Europe 1944. (Our liberators in the south where the Britisch forces of XII Corps.)
At the moment we rebuilding the engine now with some new components.
Regards,
John

Found some more pictures from before and during its restoration:

Attachment 99597 Attachment 99596

Attachment 99595

Source

Part numbers
 

I am looking for the part number of the “Seal, pinion Flange Oil” for a C15 AND “Gasket , pinion Bearing Teainer to Carrier.”

Number 10 AND 7 maintanance Manuel CMP 1942.
Chapter Rear Axle H-13

Or is there a Way I can find iT myself?
Thanks!
John