Switch Plate colours
 

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.

Re: Switch Plate colours
 

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

H.

Switch plates
 

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.

Switch Plates
 

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

Autopulse?
 

Autopulse being the electric petrol pump?

Re: Switch Plates
 

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

H.

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?

Colour
 

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.

New Old Stock switch plates
 

http://www.oldcmp.net/Images/Treasures/Newdash.jpg

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

Thanks Keith

Wow what 60 years will do to parts.

Confirm, but...
 

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.

Panel
 

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.

Jordan,

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



Stewart

Jif
 

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

Parts
 

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.
:cheers:

Max
 

how the hell did this subject come about
Max

Re: Max
 

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

convoluted threads
 

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

Hotter Climates Colder Climates
 

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

Re: 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... :smoker:

Re: Hotter Climates Colder Climates
 

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...

:drunk:

Re: convoluted threads
 

:teach: 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.

:cheers:

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.

LOL don't I wish :D

cheers
Cliff :salute:

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. :note:

Switch Plate Decals
 

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

Vegemite
 

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

Chev Dash
 

What a '44 Chev dash should look like:

(Plunked on the scanner)

The other side
 

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)