Chevrolet photos wanted

[Mike Cecil]

Lang,

The available information is sketchy and difficult to correlate as the terms used are often generic, with all manner of body styles simply called 'utility', rather than 'Van' or 'Panel'.

Do you know what series the vehicle is, ie Series 13, or series 15? I have entries for both series being supplied as 'Van' and 'Panel' to the RAAF and RAN, but without a weight reference. Most are series 15. The RAN had at least one series 13, chassis number 4113M77, engine CR3684184, registration number RAN 51978.

The USASOS were also supplied with Chev Panel vans, most listed as 1/2 ton, but there are a few listed as 15 cwt, ie 3/4 ton, for example:

Registration number USN-U-1, described as a 'Van, GS, 15cwt, Series 13, Chassis number 4113S251, so a Sydney-assembled vehicle operated by the US Navy in Australia. It was returned to the Commonwealth in 1945 to 5AOVP in West Aust.

Mike

[Lang]

Thanks Mike

My vehicle is the later style (commonly called 1941 model in USA but 1942 in Australia)

The Australian built bodies were a little different to the American bodies, which mine has, but close enough to do a representation. There are several photos on this thread of the two types to compare, as well as a good film clip shot in the Middle East of an Australian body.

The rear doors are the most eye-catching difference.

I do not know what rating the Australian vans were but the USA vans were split between 1/2 ton and 3/4. Mine is 3/4 ton with heavy axle and open drive shaft being the only major differences.

As mentioned above very few were built for the US military ie no 1/2ton in 1941 and only 4 of the 3/4 ton of which mine is one. In 1942 they built 65 and 44 respectively. There were about a thousand Suburban (vans with windows) and 2,500 pick-up military versions.

I strongly suspect the Australian built military panel vans outnumbered the American military production considerably. Of course the Americans produced several thousand vans for civilian use in 1941/42.

Lang

Lang

[Mike Cecil]

Lang,

I only went looking for 1941 chassis numbers, but there are plenty of 1942 Series 15 Chev's described as 'Van, Panel' with the RAAF and a smaller number with the USASOS, (described as 15 cwt in the CDC returns).

Mike

[Lang]

Thanks Mike.

I may go down that road as I am yet to find a Chevrolet 1/2 or 3/4 Panel Van in Europe. There are several Suburbans and even Pick-ups in photos.

Just as a reference here is the rear of mine. A lot more style in the doors and rear panel than the Australian body.


Lang

[Mike K]

I think the series 13 is the earlier 113" wb models ,1940. The series 15 are 1941 models ( with the waterfall grill ) 115" wb . Both were known as Vans 15cwt in the Aust. army . GMH kept up with the US year models, everybody here refers to the waterfall grill as 42 but that isn't correct , GMH and the army used 41.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

It seems a Chevrolet Ambulance was donated to the Dutch Queen in 1941.

Could it be this one....

Chevy 1 1/2 ton panel truck ambulance, used to be owned by a Mr Joe Smith in the UK:

634F00C4-944C-4008-92A6-00F2238ED731.jpeg

Plus a random pic of a 6x4 chassis/cab being assembled by the GWR workshops in Caerphilly from boxed kits:

A3DE3D18-EFE0-4394-B16D-576B7E29F0B0.jpeg

[Lang]

Just got home today from 5 weeks in Clyde Texas working on the 3/4 ton panel van.

As usual, a lot more work involved than first imagined and of course the last 10% takes 90% of the time.

Engine rebuilt, body ready for painting, complete brake system renewal etc etc.

The only modification is the fitting of a Borg Warner T5 .72 overdrive 5 speed gearbox. This is a bolt in modification with an online spacer plate. Of course the drive shaft had to be altered ($250). This will drop the RPM from 2,850 at 60mph to about 2,100.

In the hands of a painter.

The intention is to go back to USA in March, drive it by a circuitous route to the east coast before shipping roll-on, roll-off to Europe for D-Day 75th in Normandy.

I will probably sell it there.

Lang