2 tonne maple leaf water truck
 

Recently purchased John Biddle (antique auto spares - wingfield SA) mock up command truck ??
So far identified the vehicle as orriginally built on a 2 ton maple leaf water truck chassis
Front axle hubs / cones branded GMH (Aust.)
Fire wall, cab front and windscreen is Maple Leaf truck but has a GMC bonnett and front guards moulded to it ! uuuuurgh - i know, i didnt do it !
Quite a neat fit and does not look out of place to the untrained eye
Body is a made up open tourer style with cut outs for door openings (similar to jeep) and maple leaf truck bench seat, cab front and instruments up front and a rear crew compartment for 6 or 8 with fold up bench seating facing each other (still with room for eskies between outstreched legs)
Overall configeration suggests open top command car / command truck or artillary tractor look in the north africa WW2 style of vehicle used by axis and allies
Horrible vehicle to see for the purists
Allot of fun and a eye turner for the general public

Plan to take it to Corowa in 2009 and no doubt generate allot of debate (good and bad) :doh:

If anybody interested, i can post some photos
Douglas

Doug,
I used to see that vehicle at Bendigo Swap Meet every year, in the 80's. Had me totally perplexed until I visited John Biddle's aladdin's cave last year. What an eye-opener, not the vehicle but the cave. If the part for your old vehicle is not there then it probably isn't anywhere. John came up with a master-cylinder for the 1940 Chev Staffcar and a rebuild kit for $40-00. Amongst all the thousands of parts in there, he went straight to the shelf and after some searching, there it was.

Looking forward to seeing your Chev Command Car(???) on the road at Corowa next year.
Regards Rick

Alladin's Cave
 

Hi all - that is exactly the descripter I use when I describe John's place. I have spent countless hours and a lot more dollars there. I regularily take visitors on field trips to his place.

Bob

Pictures would be great. :cool: :cool: :cool:
Barry