The first 1946 Model Chevrolet cars

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I am starting a new thread.

This is my best shot so far at CMP commencement dates:

Production of CMP 15-cwt. 4 x 2 trucks allegedly started in April 1940, although early March is probably correct, followed by 8-cwt. 4 x 2 May 1940, 30-cwt. 4 x 4 and 3-ton/60-cwt. 4 x 4 also in May, the Field Artillery Tractors in June, then the 15-cwt. 4 x 4 in September 1940. However, drawings dated 4 April 1940 for the designs of ‘Conveyor Line Saddle’ for F.8 and F.15 and the ‘Quad’ F.-G.T. were as per the final assembly at Windsor. This seems to prove that Ford 8-cwt. and 15-cwt. 4 x 2 production and Ford Gun Tractor 4 x 4 started in March. Other evidence suggests that Chevrolet C.15 4 x 2 production started in early April and C.8 trucks at the end of April or at the beginning of May, with the other Ford units starting production in April, save for the F.60S. It is possible that the remaining Chevrolet units went into production in May, though there is no evidence as yet either way. That said, the ‘Instruction Book: Driving Maintenance Repair’ for DND vehicles printed in March 1940, which is possibly the very first publication apart from the Workshop Manuals, states that the then models were:

8 cwt. 4 x 2 [C.8 and F.8]
15 cwt. 4 x 2 [C.15 and F.15]
30 cwt. 4 x 4 [C.30S and F.30S]
3 ton 4 x 4 [C.60S and C.60L; F.60S and F.60L]
3 ton 6 x 4 [F.60H]
F.A. Gun Tractor 4 x 4 [C.-G.T. and F.-G.T.]

Note that the 30-cwt. was the C./F.30S, and that the 6 x 4 Ford was a debut model. This would seem to suggest that all of the listed trucks went into production in March, but this cannot have been the case, and the books were printed in readiness for distribution just as all of the models became available for delivery to the DND

We know the exact dates for British-order CMP commencement: Ford of Canada started production of their British orders on August 26th 1940, and GM of Canada on September 3rd 1940.

As regards the last CMPs, a letter dated September 11th 1945 from the Minister of Munitions and Supply to General Motors of Canada stated that wartime production would be ending in a few days thereafter. The Ford of Canada plant in Windsor went on strike supposedly on September 12th. Dearborn went on stike on the 15th, aggravated by Kelsey Wheel going on strike.

However, we know that by Friday September 7th 1945 there had been massive lay-offs at Oshawa, then Ford and Chrysler advised employees of their lay-offs as well. If we say that the last known Ford assembly date was September 4th, then Ford must have wound-up CMP assembly around the 12th, and GM about the same time, with presumably C8A assembly trickling on at the end.

The first 1946 car was assembled on Tuesday October 30th 1945. I have yet to find a date for Fords but one source suggests announcement in August 1945.