[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Thanks for the correction Cliff! I keep thinking that the front end and utility design apes the Holden-bodied US-sourced YRs..what do you think? However that front screen design on the left pair is very similar to that of known Continental 1939-40 Models and I think was very similar to that of a number of diverted/ prize seizures of ex-Belgian and / or Norwegian & Swedish orders*) acquired and then bodied with wooden utility cabs for and by the Ministry of Supply, and also made available through the civilian dealer network as well in late 1940 and 1941: see WHEELS & TRACKS photo with the Nurse talking to the ATS driver.

I suggest the smaller two right hand trucks might be MS models, of which I know one was a Mobile Canteen ..the MS was a 1/2 ton Heavy Duty but rated at up to 42 cwt for civvy purposes. The wheelbase was 125". After that in the imported line-up was the AN 1-ton 134" w.b. and then the ubiquitous YR 1 1/2-tonner 134" w.b. The right pair appear to have more forward-control than the other two, and I thought they might have been 'chassis with flat-face cowl' versions.

The 1941 Panel Vans imported were the Model AJ, which succeeded the 1940 WA Vans mentioned although I have evidence of a 1-ton 1941 Model Oshawa-built 1435 Panel Van registered as a '35 cwt Van' in May 1941 with the 134 1/2" w.b.


* The Royal Navy seized a ship with a caro of Chevrolet and GMC trucks destined for GM International, Copenhagen, intended for Norwegian and Swedish dealers before the German invasion of Norway. General Motors tried to claim the cargo or value because they argued that they were destined for neutral countries who had paid for the shipments already. They got short thrift despite high-level overtures from New York and the monetary value was acquired by the Custodian of Enemy Property. As an aside, a cargo of seized Opel cars was auctioned off at the dockside in Southampton [in August 1940 I believe], and sold at rock-bottom prices as who wanted a 'Jerry' car at the time? There was a Southampton-registered Opel Blitz truck scrapped in 1944 that was used by the fire service after being sequestred! I know of at least one pre-war Opel car that was used by the Ministry of Supply during the war as well.