ID required on this Chev

[aj.lec]

Came across this Chev a while ago and trying to work out what model it started life as

Was thinking k51
Door openings appear to be wrong shape though
Looks like it was a van to start as remnant tinware folded around on to a wooden cab back

[maple_leaf_eh]

That is a bull bar to be proud of!

(But sorry I have zero knowledge on identifying truck model to the precision you need.)

[motto]

This appears to be a G506 Chevrolet 1-1/2 ton 4x4 that has had the rear half of a cab from something else grafted onto it. The G506 trucks are generally referred to in this country as Yankee Joes. When the cab mod was done and by whom I would have no idea. These trucks originally came with the same cab as used on the GMC 6x6 hard cab which in turn was similar to that used on Chev commercial trucks of that era. Due to the ill fitment of the windscreen and odd door opening this is not the remnants of a K51.

David

[cliff]

could have been a USAAF bomb truck with an old cab grafted on as they were only cowl and wind screen.

[motto]

It would be nice to think it was an M6 Bomb Truck as it would be the only one I've ever heard of in Australia though the USAAF must have had them here unless something was supplied from elsewhere to do the job.
However, I suspect there are the remains of door hinges discernible which if original would knock the M6 idea on the head.
Hope it doesn't live in that paddock Andrew, a grass fire would do it no good at all.

David

[Lynn Eades]

What would be the likelyhood of it having been a radio shack (van body)
Over here the G506 1 1/2 ton 4x4 std cargo truck is referred to as a are a "Chevy Cargo"
The same chassis also came with an auger (drill rig)

[aj.lec]

Was hoping it was a bit more exciting than a Joe but looking at it ,that makes sense Motto
How hard would a decent cab section be to get hold of ?

[cliff]

I'm sorry I don't accept that it was a standard Chev 1.5 ton 4X4.

I think it may have had a specialist body fitted that has been cut down for civvy use. Have a look at the RAAF pic below of a MCP Chev ambulance/medical vehicle and how it widens out behind the doors.

Pity we have no close up photos of the door openings etc to see if it is more then just a home built job?

[gordon]

I think it has started life as a panel van, or more likely a K-51 ( that's one of those odd cases where they built a batch of vans, then contractor-converted more of them to K-51 than they left as plain panels, so plain panel vans now rarer)

Reasonably certain it was never a bomb tractor, as it is the longer standard wheelbase ( unless someone has stretched it ) instead they have cut off most of the body, split the cab rear centre, and pushed the back corners apart, then filled in the gap - not uncommon where you wanted to widen the cab to take a three person seat. Hinging screen has been taken out and lobbed / welded / glued back in.

Zero chance of finding a panel body pretty much anywhere. If the mechanicals are intact, bin the cab and fit a standard GMC / Chev truck cab, keep the front metal, and buy a 1.5 ton standard Budd cargo body for it.

[motto]

We need more detail and close ups Andrew particularly if there are any data plates in evidence.
In answer to your question about the availability of cabs the most likely source would be to find an American Lend Lease Chev cab. (not the local Holden built alternative). Not plentiful any more but not extinct either. They are very similar though not identical to Yankee Joe and GMC and can be modified to a close approximation.

David

[aj.lec]

It certainly is a bit different at least
Have to get hold of owner and get a close up look at it

[motto]

Please do so, I'm curious to know more. Any type of Yankee Joe is rare in this country as that class of vehicle was filled with CMPs. The Australian Army aquired very few American Chev 4x4s.
One give away in regards to identification on these trucks is the transfer case. There were three different patterns.
1/ Single output yoke at rear. (Hand brake in rear hubs).
2/Two outputs at rear. Lower to rear diff, upper had a hand brake drum mounted and drove nothing else.
3/ Two outputs at rear. Lower to rear diff, upper yoke connected to auxiliary gearbox to drive earth borer and or winch. No hand brake drum. (Hand brake in rear hubs).
It seems a rather high percentage of Yankee Joes here were earth borer/pole setters. Cargo trucks are in the minority with bomb trucks, tractor units or vans unheard of to my knowledge. I would be quite interested to learn otherwise. I have a liking for these little trucks and recently imported one from the U.S.

David

[Ken Smith]

I have a M6 bomb service truck with a DOD of Nov 1941 Chassis # 4NQ 1975, It came from down near Albury and was advertised in the farm auction as a 4 x 4 Studebaker. It had a seed grain bin with the auger out over the front, and a broken chassis that had been repaired.
It is missing the crane, seats, windscreen and a lot of other parts that I haven't noticed yet.
It has a very early registration number W004804, a nice fellow in Los Angeles, who is a bit of an expert on M6s, said he had never seen an earlier number surviving.
Cheers Ken

[aj.lec]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I have a M6 bomb service truck with a DOD of Nov 1941 Chassis # 4NQ 1975, It came from down near Albury and was advertised in the farm auction as a 4 x 4 Studebaker. It had a seed grain bin with the auger out over the front, and a broken chassis that had been repaired.
It is missing the crane, seats, windscreen and a lot of other parts that I haven't noticed yet.
It has a very early registration number W004804, a nice fellow in Los Angeles, who is a bit of an expert on M6s, said he had never seen an earlier number surviving.
Cheers Ken

Sounds like you might have a pretty rare one on your hands Ken

[Ken Smith]

May be to rare, I have heard of the crane part at Charters Towers, but no proof that it exists.

I did find a Beebee hand winch for the crane at the local truck wrecker.

I will put some photos up when I get organised, which could be months at the rate I am going.
Ken

[aj.lec]

Keep chasing the leads Ken
Occasionally they pay off
Always good to have unique items in the collection

[aj.lec]

Spoke to owners brother and he allowed a better look at it today
Could not spot a chassis number or any other data plates though
Does a engine number help in identification ?

[aj.lec]

couple more
Looks like roof was grafted off something else just above bottom of window pillar, guessing pommy by the shape and construction
Apparently it was bought from an airport where they were using it as a rescue/fire truck

[motto]

The mystery deepens. I have never seen anything like the PTO mounted above the transfer case. Is it secured to the TC and driven from it somehow? That would be a complete novelty. Or is it a separate unit that just happens to be mounted there?
The rest seems to be standard Yankee Joe cargo truck configuration except for the strange bodywork. The windscreen surround is standard inside and out up to just above the hinge mounting.
The truck is definitely not an earth borer, pole setter or M6 bomb handler and I don't believe it was a tractor unit. That still leaves quite a number of possibilities as these trucks were used for all sorts of odd tasks.
Nomenclature, data and shift plates would have been mounted on the header board above the windscreen. I think you can see where some have been removed.
All in all an intriguing vehicle. If the PTO is an original factory fitting that may be the vital clue. If it just happens to be sitting there, my guess would be cargo truck with post war body grafted on. The pintle hook and bumperettes point in that direction.

David

[aj.lec]

PTO appeared to be part of the box but didn't get that far in
Guessing the top pto may have driven the pump for the fire tender
There are 3 levers in relation to the PTO setup in the cab

[motto]

OK Andrew, it seems that everything points to the truck having been an airfield fire tender/rescue vehicle. What is unknown is where and by whom was the construction carried out and when? Was it purpose built for this role or is it a conversion?
The joint at the bottom of the windscreen pillar is a standard production feature. On the inside there should be a cover plate in the door jamb under which is a socket type joint secured with countersunk screws.
I had assumed that the aluminium gutter above the windscreen indicated where the graft of conversion sheet metal to original sheet metal took place but if there is no join there and the roof is one piece to the bottom of the pillars then that to me would indicate factory build.
Whatever its provenance it is certainly a unique vehicle.
As the fellow in Laugh In would say, 'veeery interesting!'

David

The 3 levers in the photo are standard Yankee Joe items. The two that are in the same slot are transfer case control, the forward one is front axle in/out and the rear one hi/lo range. The third one to their left is hand brake.

[Andrew H.]

PTO was standard (for tyre pump compressor) on 1533X2 Chevs as used by the LRDG.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

PTO was standard (for tyre pump compressor) on 1533X2 Chevs as used by the LRDG.

Andrew,
The Chevs you refer to were 4x2 as I recollect, so PTO and tyre pump were on the side of the main gearbox. The PTO in question here is on the transfer box.

cheers Richard

[aj.lec]

Very interesting indeed
That leads to the next set of questions
What is the likelihood of finding a decent standard cab and doors, engine bay side covers and a cargo body to suit in Australia ?
I was told that the bodies were only light pressed steel and cracked and rotted away very quickly