Hello Cliff,
Wow there is a lot more to consider than I thought
The truck in question was motorless and lacking a gear box and I had my choice from a range kept on the property. The original motor was long gone so this was not much of a help.
Main differences are mechanical with the Maple Leaf normally having a larger capacity motor for example and unless you are conversant with engine numbers and the minor differences it is hard to tell them apart especially when the same company has built the same cabs for both.
Thanks for the photo. As Mike Kelly pointed out from a photo of my truck it has a hinged windscreen which Mike said came out in late 1940. The first couple of trucks pictured do not have the same windscreen hinges so they must have been built earlier than my truck.
I have added another photo here from Pictures Australia showing WA Chevrolet trucks at Alice Springs in 1945. This photo shows the rear body type yours should have if you wish to restore it to it's full military glory.
I also suggest rather then using the ARN number from the Maple Leaf Bonnet that you check the AWM's ARN number books first as they may give you your vehicles original ARN if you can match engine or chassis numbers.
Yes, my intention is to take the truck back to full military glory. The ID plate on the firewall has the chasis number stamped on it. Does the chassis have a number stamped somewhere on it so I can check it against the ID plate and if so where would I find it?
Do you mean that if I can give the Australian War Memorial my engine and chasis number can they give me my trucks original Army truck number?
Thanks for the help. I do have a book
1940 Chevorlet Maple Leaf and GMC Trucks shop manual Reproduced for the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces printed October 1942. It lists the dimensions of the various trucks and I did not have it with me when I was travelling at the time. If this is the best source of identifying trucks I will take it with me and a tape measure and use it as guide instead of firewall ID plates next time I go truck spotting
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Also in the photo you sent the spare wheel is in a compartment in the tray near the rear cabin wall. Would this have been an extra spare or did they remove the underslung spare tyre located near the towbar for improved clearance and relocated them in the tray?
Kind Regards
Lionel