Chevrolet 1542 MCP

[Charlie Down]

Last 2 images for the brackets.

[Colin Alford]

Gents,

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been attempting to understand the differences between the various Chev MCP models which is certainly not an easy task.

I now understand why there are questions regarding Dave’s truck, and the essentially identical truck that was formerly a museum piece.

I think we can all agree that these two trucks appear to have been assembled post-war in France. It appears that they were assembled with a mix of parts from 1542, and 1543.

The first serious issue with the data plates showing Model 1542, is that 1542 means 2 ton, 160” wheel base, chassis with cowl. A 1542 should not have a complete factory built cab! The only 160” wheel base MCP with a complete cab should be a 1543 (this may explain why the museum used the designation 1543).

While some early 1543s were fitted with the same 20 x 6 wheels as these two trucks, they were all prior the serial number 1154305001 (the 5001st vehicle in 1941).

All MCP 1543 used a two-speed rear axle, while these two trucks have single speed rear axles (Dave’s is definitely a Canadian built rear axle correct for a 1542)

The front bumper on the two trucks is correct for a 1543X2 and 1533X2, but they do not appear to be correct for 1542. This particular bumper went through three obvious changes on 1543X2. Prior to serial number 1154305001 there was no radiator crash guard (or the mounting holes for same), and there were no large holes in the end for the reflectors. At serial number 1154305001, the crash guard and reflectors were added. At serial number 3154300001, the reflectors were deleted, but the crash guard remained. I believe we are seeing the third type (after 3154300001) because although the crash guards are not present, we can see that the mounting holes are there.

According to the parts list, 1542 should have a civilian type bumper.

The park lights on top of the headlights: They were not fitted to MCP 1543X2, but they were fitted to those 1542s which were not equipped with blackout equipment (no specific serial number break point).

Front axle: 1543X2 after serial number 1154305001 had front axles with the larger War Department standard bolt circle which would not accommodate the earlier Chev wheels. 1542s retained the Chev bolt circle throughout production. 1542 prior to serial 4154200001 had front axles with 26 11/16” Spring centres. After serial number 4154200001, the axle was changed to have a spring centre of 28”. To accommodate this change, the frame remained unchanged, but new front spring mounts, and new springs were used. The reported serial numbers of these two trucks ideally points to having front axles with 28” spring centres.

While the chassis of these two vehicles may well have left Oshawa as model 1542s during 1944, they appear to have been assembled in France with a mix of parts from 1543X2 (complete cab, raised bumpers and possibly the rear body).