Chevrolet 1542 MCP

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

In a parallel thread Dave posted a picture of the data plate on his truck.

It could well be the plate was fitted when it was rebuilt in France. Or more likely: when it was first assembled at an overseas GM facility from CKD kits.

David Hayward would have been able to explain it to us...

Actually, David Hayward left us a clue:

Originally Posted by David_Hayward (RIP)

In January 1939, G.M. (France) started C.K.D. production of cars at Gennevilliers with a maximum daily capacity of four cars, either Buick, Chevrolet or Pontiac, six C.K.D. Chevrolet trucks with cabs, 6 M.K.D. [‘Mostly Knocked Down’] or semi-assembly cars from either G.M. Continental, Antwerp, or Adam Opel A.G., and six S.U.P. [‘Single Unit Packs, or fully-assembled] units.
[Read more here...]

I searched for a bit more information and found that “A new plant went into operation at Gennevilliers, France, on the outskirts of Paris, for assembly of completely knocked down (CKD) cars and trucks.” All vehicles assembled there from imported parts were fitted with a General Motors (France) body tag / data plate *) like the one shown above as they are regarded as new vehicles built in France.

I reckon GM Overseas Operations regained control over their Gennevilliers plant right after the war, possibly with the aid of the US Army (late 1945, the US Army 1568th Engineer Depot Company was based at Gennevilliers, Paris). GM then started assembly of CKD kits of these Chevrolet (and other) trucks and cars to fulfill the urgent need for vehicles on mainland Europe. The parts for these kits may well have been manufactured in 1944-1945 under US, United Kingdom or Canadian Government contracts, awaiting shipment for assembly overseas.

*) the one attached below is identical and is fitted to a 1958 Buick
15078403419_9af3a54b79_o.jpg

[Dave Ashby]

Great detective work Hanno, as always the information is out there it’s just knowing where to look
Many thanks to everyone for their input on this thread.

Dave

[Dave Ashby]

Whilst taking some measurements of the rear diff on the 1542 for another thread I came across this plate attached to one of the differential bolts.
It reads:

Rear Axle Assy.
Service No 1809572
General Motors Of Canada

Does anyone know what this refers to? It wouldn’t be a part no due to being on a removable or equally very losable plate.

Dave

5CA69536-5BBB-42FD-8A38-E341372364EF.jpg

[Dave Ashby]

I also found the body plate in the centre of the first cross member right behind the cab so excuse the angle of the photo.
It reads:

Wilson Motor Bodies
Code & Serial No
ULS-2- 255C

A link to info on Wilson Motor Bodies: http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/w/wils...tor_bodies.htm

Dave

4DF997B8-3465-4012-A0CF-CFDD612DF68F.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Dave, those tags are interesting finds!

http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/w/wils...tor_bodies.htm

Wilson Motor Bodies eventually relocated to larger quarters located at 1153 Queen Street West (at Abell), and when Canada started preparing for Great Britain’s entry into the Second World War, they received numerous government contracts, of which several included the manufacture of truck cabs and service bodies for CMP military vehicles supplied to Britain within the Lend-Lease program.

(*CMP refers to Canadian Military Pattern vehicles, a class of Canadian-built military trucks built to British Army specifications for use by members of the British Commonwealth, of which Canada was the largest member.)

C.M.P. chassis manufacturers included Chevrolet, Ford and F.W.D. and the following Canadian firm’s supplied the coachwork:

W.D. Beath and Son Ltd, Toronto; Brantford Coach and Body Co. Ltd, Brantford; Canadian Top & Body Co., Tillbury; Dominion Truck Body Ltd., Kitchener; Gotfredson Truck Co. Ltd, Walkerville; Motor Coach Industries, Winnipeg; Preston Metal Products Ltd, Preston; Truck Engineering Ltd., Woodstock; and Wilson Motor Bodies Ltd., Toronto.

Specifically Wilson constructed cabs for 3-ton FWD SU-COE (cab-over-engine) all-wheel-drive chassis which were manufactured by F.W.D. at their Clintonville, Wisconsin plant then transported to Wilson’s plant in Toronto. The F.W.D. SU-COE was supplied as a GS/MAT truck and a tractor for semi-trailers and its bodywork was similar in appearance to that found on British-built AEC Matador artillery prime movers.

War contracts soon exceeded the capacity of their Queen Street plant and a spacious new facility was constructed in Long Branch, Ontario just west of downtown Toronto at 1466 Lake Shore Rd. (now 3560 Lakeshore Blvd., W.).

A 1944 disagreement with Local 252, United Automobile Workers of America, mentions the firm employed 200 at the time.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Not trying to muddle the water, but compare the Chevrolet 1542 with this 1940 "GMC 9543" 2-Ton truck at the Canadian War Museum.

19970113-015-2560x1718.jpg 19970113-015a-2560x1731.jpg
https://www.warmuseum.ca/collections/artifact/1317585

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Not trying to muddle the water, but compare the Chevrolet 1542 with this 1940 "GMC 9543" 2-Ton truck at the Canadian War Museum.

GMC's could be described as being heavy duty Chevrolet's, the GMC engine is a different beast compared to the basic Chev engine , it is a more refined motor with, I believe, full pressure big ends.