Ford F60X? If things had been different...

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Because I found the information in response to an earlier thread about M-H 6 x 6 conversions I thought I ought to publish it for further discussion:

"Simultaneous with the trials in England, discussions were held in Ottawa regarding a proposed ‘6 x 6 Army Vehicle’. On 16 October 1940 a meeting was held between Major Franklin, H.J. Stevenson, E.F. Armstrong [of G.M. of Canada], and A.A. Maynard. The meeting agreed the specifications for a new design of truck to be ordered from G.M. of Canada, with a 160-inch wheelbase to the centreline of the bogie, with new heavier Ford steering ends and D.A. Shock absorbers, plus two rear axles with one offset from the other on the centre though rear hubs and bearings to be as per existing 4 x 4 though with two propeller shaft drive and Timken type bogie. The engine was to be a ‘G.M.C. 370 cu. in. with suitable Clutch; Largest Fan with suitable belt’, although it was in fact the new 270 cu. in. unit. The transmission was to be a Clark 202V or 185F with tyre pump. The transfer case was to be standard type without P.T.O., though the P.T.O. was to be a split propeller shaft type and the transfer case had to be in neutral when using take-off. The sheet metal was to be altered to suit the larger engine and transmission.

In the meantime, E.L. Simpson of the Automotive Engineering Department at Ford of Canada wrote to Brigadier N.O. Carr as he was by then, the Deputy-M.G.O. on 19 October 1940 and sent copies of composite chassis drawings showing the installation of the Lincoln Zephyr V-12 [1940-41 120 b.h.p.] engine in the ‘six-wheeler’ which presumably referred to the F.60H, and also sent power curves of the Zephyr engine and then engine then being used in military vehicles, which was the standard Ford V-8 and not the larger Mercury V-8. The Zephyr engine was available in quantity and Ford proposed converting for test purposes one of the D.N.D. vehicles then at their plant: would Carr give permission for the conversion please? The vehicles could be converted to 6 x 6 configuration ‘at your convenience’ [hint, hint!]. The advantage that the 290 cu. in. U.S. V-12 had was that it was produced in right-hand drive form.

On 26 November 1940 N.C. Millman [formerly of G.M. of Canada] but by then of the Directorate of Ordnance Services (Mech.) in Ottawa, wrote to G.M. of Canada and asked for a quote to build a 6 x 6 chassis. J.A. Lane, the Export Manager who handled such matters replied on 30 December that the chassis that ‘we are developing’ would cost an estimated $15,000. This seems to confirm that the special chassis was already underway".

So. you can see that Ford of Canada could have produced a 6 x 6 F60X, complete with Zephyr V-12 power and that might have been a heck of a lot more useful than the C60X. I have no idea whether politics or economics and/or politics, or the need for dual-sourcing came into the equation or whether it was prices, but the DND went to GM of Canada for the C60X although as we know the quest for more power led to the trial of the big Chrysler -6- and 8-cylinder?] engines. I personally think that the DND thought that Ford had had a go with the F60H, and failed, except for export, and that GM of C should be allowed a new go. In the end we know that Oshawa built the C60X and whereas the F60H was abandoned by Ottawa, sales continued for the overseas market and so evened things up.

[Keith Webb]

...to build one?
Vrrrrooommmm!

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The 8-cylinder flathead 323.5 cu in displacment engine produced 130 bhp..presumably had tons of torque.

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
The 8-cylinder flathead 323.5 cu in displacment engine produced 130 bhp..presumably had tons of torque.

You mean the 12 cylinder...
I've not seen one in the metal yet.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

...the Chrysler straight-eight 323.5 cu in as trialled in the GMC C60X Airportable GS truck. Not the earlier Lincoln Zephyr V-12 proposed for a Ford F60H. I suspect that at least one truck was built with the Zephyr engine...lovely truck? But how on earth did OSHAWA fit the 8-cylinder in where the 270 six went?

I believed that a Chrysler six was trialled but on reflection is there any evidence of this please?