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  #1  
Old 16-03-09, 16:49
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David_Hayward (RIP) David_Hayward (RIP) is offline
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The official parts lists say that it was one of two contracts for 1 1/2 ton with Large Stake [body](Export) or with Cargo [body], and as it was a 4409 not a 4403 it was a MS model! Code 31T on my table. I would imagine it was shipped from say Tarrytown Assembly Plant or Bloomfield Boxing Plant, knocked-down for local assembly but others may know more about the Holden operations. A fuly built-up truck would have a say 2MSXX12345 type serial, where '2' is Tarrytown, or 1MSXX12345 where '1' is Flint Plant. XX indicates month of assembly. The serial quoted makes me think it was a CKD assembly job.

Last edited by David_Hayward (RIP); 17-03-09 at 00:39.
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  #2  
Old 16-03-09, 21:20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David_Hayward View Post
The serial quoted makes me think it was a CKD assembly job.
If it was a CKD assembled by Holden it would have been painted here probably in the Service Green of the day.

The two main differences between these 'lendlease' Chev's and Holden built cabs is the Holden built cab had a cowl vent on either side in front of the doors and the doors had 'Quarter' vent winds in the front of the roll down glass.

There are several other threads on these Chev's and perhaps someone with more knowledge of the search feature could find them and post the links for you.

Below are two photos of these type of Chev seen elsewhere on MLU and summited by other members of the forum A photo or 2 of yours would be appreciated as well
Attached Images
File Type: jpg CHEVROLET 26.jpg (54.7 KB, 167 views)
File Type: jpg Chevrolet GM 1543 MCP 4x2..jpg (58.7 KB, 158 views)
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"and on the 8th day he made trucks so that man, made on the 7th day, had shelter when woman threw him out for the night"
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  #3  
Old 17-03-09, 13:14
jeff jeff is offline
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Default Lend Lease Chevs

Thanks Cliff And David for the information so far.I've included a couple of photos of my longwheelbase (cream coloured lend lease) and an Australian cab chev truck (maroon truck obviously in pieces)that i have. The lend lease is very original and is just about to be registered.It still has the black-out lights and black-out driving light,all still operational. The original paint inside the cab appears to be maroon but the black out light original colour is army green, the original exterior paint colour is as yet unknown. Through research that i"ve done all USA trucks have a vin number on the cab and no chassis number. So i guess it makes sense that CKD trucks would have to have a chassis number. Do CMP trucks have chassis numbers? Is there a decoder for these numbers? Does anyone know if Australian records exist showing where these trucks were used?
Thanks Jeff.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 2007 pics 212.jpg (76.8 KB, 136 views)
File Type: jpg 2007 pics 210.jpg (50.4 KB, 125 views)
File Type: jpg 2007 pics 213.jpg (103.4 KB, 137 views)
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  #4  
Old 17-03-09, 13:38
Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon is offline
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Jeff,
What a great name!
We are almost neighbours!
Welcome to MLU!
Do you have a copy of the History of Holden book by Norm Darwin?
Seen as how you live in Dayboro and I am in Samford you should drop in and I can show it to you. It has a little bit in it about it.
CMP do or should have chassis numbers. Try the left hand rail forward of the diff.
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Last edited by Jeff Gordon; 17-03-09 at 13:46.
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  #5  
Old 17-03-09, 13:43
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Default CMPs

Chevrolets did indeed have chassis numbers from trhe beginning, and are easily decodable except that assembled Holden, GM NZ and GM SA chassis were allocated numbers which included a plant code, and they had a different series to that of Oshawa plant.

Fords used the engine number throughout but in 1941 I think it was used a chassis number of sorts. Henry decried the use of chassis numbers, as States used engine numbers until 1955. However the model number (Ford) and official designation on the build plate was the identifier.
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Old 18-03-09, 13:25
jeff jeff is offline
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Hi jeff, indeed we are close by, and yes i do have a copy of Norm Darwin's book. What i really wanted to find out was what the chassis number meant eg.decoded. I just thought that CMP's may have used a similar chassis code. I was guessing and thought that my number 42 D4400-4B500 may have indicated 42 year model, D ?Defense? 4400 Models eg 4403 or 4409 depending on what body was fitted. I guess this is a little simplistic but there doesn't seem to be a lot of factual info about these lend lease chevs.
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Old 18-03-09, 14:38
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Default Decode?

Quote:
42 D4400-4B500
My thought is that is:

1942 Model
D = Dept of Defence?
4400 = Chevrolet 4400 series or Defence 4400 Series
B = Brisbane Plant
500 = 500th assembled at Brisbane.
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  #8  
Old 18-03-09, 14:40
EricVincentHancock EricVincentHancock is offline
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Default australian Lend Lease Chevs

Hi Jeff and Jeff of Queensland. I am currently restoring a 1942 Lendlease Chev with Stake Body. Engine number is BFR492940. It has a Holden badge on the firewall containing - Body P289 Model M14338 Serial No 4400
I understand from its maintenance Manual (TM 10-1339) and Parts List book (TM 10-1524 recently purchased) that it is a Model 4409.
An elderly former Aiforce driver now deceased told me a few years ago that the Lend Lease Chevs were flat packed and shipped to Australia during WW2 to be used for both the australian Armed Services and for the war effort generally. He told me that a shipment to Western Ausralia was assembled in the Holden factory that was then in the Perth suburb or Mosman Park.
P = Perth and mine is the 289th built in Perth. I understand shipments also went to A = Adelaide and B = Brisbane. Two other plates I have seen in WA are P40 and P280 both Model 4400 and three other engines begin with BFR.
I also am interested in more Australian history of Lend Lease Chevs. I will insert some images when I work out how to.
Regards, Eric
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  #9  
Old 18-03-09, 14:50
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David_Hayward (RIP) David_Hayward (RIP) is offline
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I can imagine that M = Melbourne plant (chassis assembly) with body assembly and association with the chassis in Perth.
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  #10  
Old 20-03-09, 12:47
jeff jeff is offline
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Hi Eric, thanks for the info. When you say 'flat packed 'do you think that the chassis ,had the wheels off and boxed or that it was a rolling chassis with the cab boxed and sitting on top of the chassis. What about the front guards, grill, etc attached or packed? The Holden body plate on my cab only has a body no. 488 with no prefix letter. The model no. and serial no. are not stamped. What chassis no is on yours? Is it similar in configeration to mine? I read in Norm Darwins book that Holden produced a pressed steel tray that was fitted to lend lease chevs. We have one truck with a pressed tray and stake pockets that looks identical to the picture of the model 4409 shown in the front of the Maintenance Manual. So i would think this tray is U.S. made. So there is another question, were they supplied from the U.S with the tray? Jeff.
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