Canadian contract jeeps (was: CDLV 505 Jeep Serial numbers...)

[Ian McCallum]

Reade with interest various comments on early contracts.

I have an early slat supplied under CDLV-242 and it is my understanding that the first 4 contracts had Canadian specification changes/additions all others after that were as supplied off the assembly line.

As already stated CDLV 241 was for 500 vehicles (home service) and CDLV 242 for 1500 vehicles destined for overseas service. Production of both contracts ran simultaneously within the chassis serials already mentioned all being produced within February 1942; hence all iron bar stock slat grill. Mine was manufactured on 13th.February 1942 with chassis number 119696. All vehicles within these two contracts had the rounded tank well. All had the standard early Willys parts such as pancake air filter, extended oil filler tube, longer breather, brass/bronze windscreen catches, no provision for carbine holder, green steering wheel, speedo face, 'gas' gauge, although most appear to have the 50/50 Oil pressure gauge. Brass choke/throttle cable heads, rounded/square clutch /brake pedals, axles, gearbox/transfer box, half shaft end castings, no Jerry can holder.

Canadian spec items included a single electric wiper on the drivers side, standard manual type on passenger side, towing rings both front and rear. There are also two additional dash switches with a plate stipulating 'Axle' & 'Brake' operating a convoy light on the back axle and isolating the brake lights. As the convoy light and switches are the standard Canadian toggle switches and convoy light these were either supplied to be fitted of as is my understanding a retro fit after.

Have attached some pics and will post also some war time images.

Ian

[Ian McCallum]

Photo of Dash plate shown on the previous posting. Previous photo shows how I first saw it as the owner had painted over the original brass plate and then removed the paint from the raised text and data info. On further light rubbing of the paint the '242' became visible. I thought at first it was a unique CDLV blank plate!

Also attach two photos of slat grills, which I now realise have been previously posted,and one of what I believe to be a 505 contract jeep.

[Eric B]

Hello Kevin

I looked up on my data base.
Your GPW 105568 cannot be determined if it was a CDN or US vehicle.

There is no question it would have been in US service at one point.

If your GPW had been a CDN used vehicle it would have its markings on the side of the tub, or the side of hood. It would also have some markings on the windshield and rear bumperettes. If so it would have been in a batch of reconditioned vehicles Canada bought. So would have had the US hood number painted over.


Hello Iain
you have a very nice Canadian contract MB 119696. It looks complete and does not have the later upgrades to it. I.e the fender light, fuel container etc. Are the markings on it original?
Did you buy it restored or did you do it yourself?

I have 119694 being used in Canada during the war in Toronto.

I am still working on the much in depth CDN WW2 Jeep book. Just assisted Lloyd White with some CDN chapters on his Willy's MB series. His series actually helps me as now there is no need to duplicate the non CDN manuals and data.

Thanks

Eric

[Ian McCallum]

Hi Eric,

Interesting yours is only two serials out from mine, out of interest does it still have original data plates and does it show CDLV 241 0R 242? If 241 it shows both contracts were produced in parallel.

Cannot take the glory for its restoration although have known it for years. I originally rejected it because it was not a real jeep having a slat grill! Not so wise then! It was restored by Geordie Dey, starting about10 years ago, who is in Scotland and already had a 242 contract jeep I believe manufactured on 18.2.42.

It was originally owned by an estate but was totally unmolested although they did cut the rear panel into a tailgate and a floor section had to be replaced other than that 95% original. Blackout guards are repro's the rest original parts.

Hood number and markings not original to the vehicle and none were found although serials are in the right sequence.

Ian

[Eric B]

Hello Ian

Sorry it sounded like i owned that Jeep. I wish i did.

In my data base i have that jeep on file, which is the closest serial number i have to yours.

There was no 241 data plates produced, they all had the 242 data plate.


Thanks

Eric

[Hanno Spoelstra]

At least one Canadian contract Jeep among the "800 military Jeeps await auction at a storage facility in England" in 1946 - see the lifting rings on CM 4218939 in the lower left corner.

And note the Cab 11/12 CMPs in the background.

surplus-12.jpg

Source: http://mashable.com/2015/08/15/wwii-surplus-vehicles/

[Eric B]

Hello

According to my list of vehicles.

The two clearly marked Jeep CM numbers are:

CM4284888 I have as a Ford GPW (possibly 1945)
and CM4218939 was a MB (possibly 1942 CDN Contract) loaned to the British.

I say possible as it is not confirmed but is surrounded on each side by like vehicles.

When vehicles were loaned they kept the CM number, but if the vehicle was given then the C was removed (or added if given to Canada).

We traded back and forth as needed.

Some Canadian contract vehicles never served in a Canadian unit as a result.

Thanks

Eric