Chevrolet MCP 3 Ton Lorries G.S. (Australian)

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

I have never seen a 1940 Chevy cab with a hinged windscreen like that ! It is probably a later modification done by somebody ? Or the whole cab may be from a 1941 or 42 truck ? Are the HOLDEN build plates still on the firewall ?

Hello Mike,

No it is an Army modification that also appeared on the 1941 - 42 Australian Holden constructed cabin Chevrolets. The only modification the vehicle has had is the relocation of the petrol tank.

The first photograph of the tray back truck is described as:

ID number : 024625
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white
Physical description Black & white
Description WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT. 1942-07-22. AUSTRALIAN ARMY CANTEEN SERVICE MOBILE CANTEEN. THESE 3-TON TRUCKS STACKED WITH GOODS PLY UP AND DOWN THE REAR OF THE BATTLE AREA SUPPLYING THE WANTS OF THOSE WHO HAVE MONEY. NOTE THE NAME "GLORIA" ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK. THIS IDEA OF INSCRIBING A GIRL'S NAME ON A 3 TON TRUCK IS, IN A WAY, A DOUBTFUL COMPLIMENT TO HER MEMORY, BUT IS A WIDESPREAD PRACTICE AMONG BRITISH TROOPS IN EGYPT. Accessed April 7th 2016 from, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/024625/

Here is a photograph from the Australian War Memorial. I previously found some more photographs from the same source. This has been discussed previously. The fact has not changed my truck is original!!!

Then there was a second one - well a slightly bent example.

Apparently, it had an argument with a Jeep - damn I would not like to have been in the Jeep!

I would suggest that my vehicle is a late 1940 product on the Holden assembly line when they transitioned to the 1941-42 models with the tilt up windscreen.

ID number - 059816
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white
Maker Halmarick, Colin Thomas
Physical description Black & white
Description PORT MORESBY, NEW GUINEA. 1943-11-11. A TRUCK OF HEADQUARTERS, NEW GUINEA FORCE WHICH WAS WRECKED IN A COLLISION WITH A JEEP. Accessed April 7th 2016 from, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/059816.

Yes the Holden black and white Lion standing on a ball is still on the fire wall and the build plate that says 1940 and paint code Khaki.

Kind Regards
Lionel