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

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.
Attachment 125794

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

Attachment 125793


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

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

Attachment 125827

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

Attachment 127225

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

Dodge ?
 

Could be a 1942 Dodge but it is RHD ? This one was for sale in NSW
Attachment 131708

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"
Attachment 134761
Source: https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.a...document/38507

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

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".
Attachment 135827
Source: https://collectionswa.net.au/items/8...6-53aabf4408b1


Chevrolet cars:
Attachment 135826 Attachment 135828


Ford(?) car:
Attachment 135829


Ford C11AD/ 11ADF Station Wagon:
Attachment 135830

blackout lighting kit for Chevy cars in Canadian use
 

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":

One more photo of Jordan's rubber flap:

To which Ian McCallum replied:

1940 Chevrolet Sport Sedan Special De Luxe
 

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:
Attachment 136626
Source: https://xr793.com/chevrolet-1940-1949

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

Attachment 136627 Attachment 136628 Attachment 136629