Ford found hiding in a shed

[Robert Sexton]

This truck was found hiding in a shed in Western Australia. Apart from being a 3ton Ford can anyone tell some its history in the Oz army. I am a new boy to the truck collecting and only have a very small knowledge of the different marques ,any info would be greatly appreciated.
Robert

[Howard]

Robert, I personally can't tell you much about these models, but there are people here who can!
Great looking truck!
Cheers
H

[cliff]

1941 Ford Modified Civilian Pattern (MCP). GS = General Service.

looks fairly complete and the tyres look like the original 18in AIF Pattern. Need side photo to see if it has the two piece combat split rims. Does it have the original rear body?

The photo below from the AWM shows a similar truck with standard Ford rims fitted with 20in tyres and without the observers hatch in the cab roof. Rear body would have been similar though.

[Robert Sexton]

Thanks Cliff, I will need to get back to the shed (and owner)and take some more pics. The tray is long gone and I do not know its history at all.I would guess the tires are original but I did not have the opportunity to look closer.Were these pattern trucks used by the AIF outside of Australia like the CMP's?
regards,Robert

[Keith Webb]

Hi Robert, great find. Those are original pattern 10.50-18 tyres. If the Army Registration Number (ARN) is still present you can learn a little more about this vehicle. They were also used overseas as well. The roof hatch is an Australian modification.

[Mike Cecil]

Robert,

(1) find engine/chassis number stamped onto the top of the right hand chassis rail, adjacent to the front engine mount cross member.
(2) go to https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/AWM126/
(3) start trawling in the AMF (not AIF) series for 1941 Ford 3 ton lorries and match the chassis number to the chassis number in the register, which will provide you with the Army registration number, and possibly some disposal details. (I doubt very much it would be in the AIF series unless it is one of the 'transfers', so best to start with the most likely series).

The vehicle was in use in Australia on or after mid 1942 when the underbonnet nomenclature was introduced.

Nice find - very nice indeed!

Mike

[Robert Sexton]

Thanks all for the info. The truck is on the AMF register in 1941 but very little other detail is recorded. It has the original 18x10.50 tires. Unfortunately it is not my truck (yet) the owner is hanging tight .
I am struggling with the abbreviations in the various columns so I may have missed something.
The wonderful archives at both the AWM and NAA must be the best in the world.
Robert

[jack neville]

Another local Australian modification on these Ford trucks was the retention of the 1939 Ford windscreen fitted with local production hinges so a fold out windscreen could still be incorporated in the cab.

[Wolfy]

Great find, lots of potential.

[Robert Sexton]

Time has ticked by without noticing since the last post.
This truck has now come to me as the owner had to move and did not have anywhere to take the truck. I have identified it from the ARM registry as ARM 44687 very faintly visible on the bonnet. The chassis number of BB18F 6664584 confirms the ID.
The bad news is that all the timber body has long gone and the engine has had the heads and intake manifold removed long ago, so the engine is an unknown.
It rolls along on the wheels fine although the original runflats have assumed an odd shape.
I don't know what I will do with it yet as I have several other unfinished projects and the clock is ticking.
It is a fine looking truck and is safely out of the weather for the present

[Andrew MacDonald]

A lovely truck, Mr. Sexton. I have a 41 model Ford Marmon Herrington. Very similar but with a Roadster cab. I love the way they hand painted the model type on the firewall. Will have to see if there's any paint left on mine.