This photo is from the Westminster Regiment in 1940.
I must add this extract from the DND papers please as it does make sense and explains a lot. It relates to discussions in early 1938 about the suggestion of Fords producing 25 15-cwt GS trucks, and Chevrolet 26, although Fords understandably backed out, but when ahead with the '40 Model successors.
Quote:
Jolley wrote a note of the 31 January meeting to Carr on 7 February. Jolley learned that the conversion of a 1938 Model Ford normal-control chassis presented difficulties in that 15-inch brake drums all round precluded the possibility of fitting 16-inch wheels to the front axle, though they could be fitted to the rear axle. The solution was to use the 1937 front axle on the 1938 chassis, but this would complicate connecting the brake mechanism to the front axle and would require special parts. Ford had stated that a new Forward-Control [C.O.E.] 101-inch wheelbase was to be produced in Canada from the early spring, and a sample of the chassis had been inspected in Detroit: with a few modifications it would lend itself to use as a 15-cwt. truck. The U.S. version of the chassis would have 15-inch brake drums on the front axle, though Canadian trucks would use 14-inch on the front and 15-inch on the rear. If this brake arrangement were finally approved then this would allow 16-inch wheels. Ford were somewhat averse to proceeding to production of the 15-cwt. Trucks using their normal chassis as a basis whilst the Forward-Control chassis was pending. The use of the Normal-Control chassis required modification to the driveshaft, frame and controls which would not be required if the Forward-Control chassis was required. Fords did state that for export purposes in quantities, they would certainly use the 101-inch Forward-Control chassis as a much cheaper truck could be produced than with the Normal-Control. Ellis, the Service Manager, was clarifying the situation regarding the exact date on which the 101-inch chassis would be available in Canada, and also whether the 14-inch brake drums would be provided in front. Ellis intended to call at the D.N.D. on Monday 7 February and would then be in a position to make a definite statement as to what they were prepared to do regarding production of the 15-cwt. Trucks for the order then under consideration.
Carr advised Caldwell on 8 February that Ellis had called on him together with M.H. Holden of Ford of Canada the day previous. Ellis stated that recent developments indicated that it was impossible to use the 1937 front axle on the 1938 chassis because the brake linkages could not be connected. This precluded using the 1938 Normal-Control chassis for 15-cwt. Trucks with 16-inch wheels. In any event the Ford representatives stated that Ford was averse to proceeding with Normal-Control chassis for use with 15-cwt. Trucks as the Forward-Control 101-inch wheelbase chassis was to be produced in early spring in Windsor, and this chassis would lend itself to conversion to a 15-cwt. truck with only minor modifications with the exception of the front axle for taking 16-inch wheels. Ellis said that further investigation had indicated that Ford did not wish to provide 14-inch brake drums, which would take 16-inch wheels on Forward-Control. 101-inch chassis: this because the load carried on the front axle of Forward-Control chassis was quite high and it had been considered necessary to retain the 15-inch brake drums on the front axle for commercial purposes. Ellis further stated that the only way by which 16-inch wheels could be provided on 15-cwt. chassis by Ford of Canada would be to build special 14-inch brake drums with front axle. The cost of providing the special tooling to produce the 14-inch assembly would be approximately $35,000.
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Ford thus had the now-classic 101" civvy COE chassis, although it was only in 1940 that Windsor produced a COE 101" civvy chassis....the 1938 and 1939 COE 101" chassis, models 811W and 911W were produced in Dearborn! GM of Canada had their 108" chassis as the shortest COE design, so you can see that Fords set the chassis basic design and GM followed suit.