[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Here's some information for you:

Finally, the doors would not operate with the Summer Top because of lack of rigidity of the back of the cab when the bracing effect of the metal top was removed. This back appeared to slant forward and prevent the doors from opening and closing. The query was that whether it was intended that the doors should not be used with Summer Tops, and if so where should numbering and lettering of trucks be painted [they were painted on the doors!]. Caldwell replied [with a copy to the DCE & ME] that the points raised were under consideration. ..... temporarily doors could be removed when canvas tops [Summer Tops] were in use and marking should be postponed pending instructions.

Deputy Minister LaFleche had asked for Blueprints of the construction of the ‘summer top’, comprising canvas cover, stays, windscreen and cab attachments, and these were supplied on 21 July [1938]

The variance in prices can be explained in one respect: some trucks were not delivered with canvas tops despite the belief that the specifications called for one top per truck. If the District Officer in Charge wished to do so, no doubt the Ordnance could make a cover locally

This from a Memo of October 1938...so not all trucks had the canvas tops.

According to STEEL CHARIOTS:

In 1934, Ford and General Motors were each invited to build an experimental armoured car to undergo testing by the Permanent Force. The deal involved the government paying for the materials and chassis while the companies paid for the design work and assembly. In the end the government paid $2,500.00 compared to Ford and GM of Canada who each paid $9,000.00 to build their respective cars. The Ford differed from the Chevrolet in that it had dual wheels on the second and third axles, a V-8 gasoline engine as against the Chevrolet 6-cylinder, and the armour plating was welded rather than riveted and bolted. Both armoured cars had a maximum speed of 30 mph, and the Ford was able to do 8 m.p.h. in reverse. The Ford was registered in Ontario with 822 C and the Chevrolet 830 C. It was intended that each of the vehicles would be armed with the Vickers Mk. VI medium machine gun but these were delayed as the feed mechanisms were on the wrong side, having been originally designed by the British for right hand drive vehicles. The cars underwent testing at Camp Petawawa, Ontario with the Royal Canadian Dragoons where it was found that both performed satisfactorily. The ten-wheel Ford performed the best in off-road tests and the six-wheel Chevrolet excelled on roads. Orders for further cars failed to materialise because of budgetary limitations and the Ford experimental Armoured Car was shipped to Winnipeg, Manitoba for use by the Lord Strathcona’s Horse. The Chevrolet remained with the RCD Other than the handful of Carden-Loyd carriers obtained in 1931 these two armoured cars were the only armoured vehicle procurements by the PF until the acquisition of two British Vickers Mk. VI B Light Tanks in 1938.