Aussie WW2 staff cars

[Lang]

I have now definitely decided on the black Chevrolet for Alice Springs so the green US Air Force one has gone to a collector in Brisbane. He is planning at this stage to restore the Chevrolet with the two colour Australian paint scheme. His attention to detail is far beyond my efforts and I am sure the Chevrolet will be better than new like all his other vehicles and equipment.

Here it is with non standard markings but ready to carry the Governor of Queensland to the ANZAC Day parade.

Lang

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Lang

I have now definitely decided on the black Chevrolet for Alice Springs so the green US Air Force one has gone to a collector in Brisbane. He is planning at this stage to restore the Chevrolet with the two colour Australian paint scheme. His attention to detail is far beyond my efforts and I am sure the Chevrolet will be better than new like all his other vehicles and equipment.

Here it is with non standard markings but ready to carry the Governor of Queensland to the ANZAC Day parade.

Lang I hope you had a great trip and the Chev did well.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Chevrolet Master Sedan in Australian service?

War In The Western Desert
Date taken: August 1942
Photographer: Bob Landry

9ef078af29f513a6_large.jpg

Source: https://images.google.com/hosted/lif...f29f513a6.html

[Matt Austin]

G’day Lang,

Late to the party, but how did your trip go? I’ve been enjoying the Pontiac, as someone once said, it’s like sitting on the lounge, driving the living room!

I’m thinking that if I can’t find an example of an impressed ‘40 Pontiac sedan in the AWM books, then I’d best make like it belonged to the US, a well-connected RAAF Squadron Leader, or someone dealing in forged ration cards!

Cheers,
Matt

[Mike Cecil]

Matt,

Very unusual in Aust military service as a sedan or 'Car, DS'. Most Aust military service Pontiacs were utilities.

That said, try Army reg number 127968, a 1939 model taken on charge in New Guinea, so an impressed vehicle (along with many other odd makes/models on that page of AWM126). See also post 39 (above) by Mike Kelly.

I've also got a record of a Pontiac sedan serving with the RAN in Melbourne in July 1945: registration RAN 52062. No details as to model, year, etc. RAN records are pretty crappy, so there may well have been others.

The Australian Government also supplied an unknown number of Pontiac sedans to the USASOS under the Reverse or Reciprocal Lend Lease scheme. These are mostly listed as 1941 and 1942 models. Registrations were typically configured 'USA-U-12036', which was a 1941 Pontiac sedan which had 23,858 miles on the odometer when returned to the Commonwealth for disposal in late 1944. (The USASOS also received a number of Pontiac utility vehicles.)

Mike

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Chevrolet Master Sedan in Australian service?

War In The Western Desert
Date taken: August 1942
Photographer: Bob Landry

Attachment 126132

Source: https://images.google.com/hosted/lif...f29f513a6.html

That photo is of a 1942 Chev which was quite different to both the 1940 and 1941 Chevs. The front doors on the 1942 are much larger and extend into the front mudguards. The side step has been done away with, the petrol filler has been moved back a bit and the tail lights are horizontal not vertical as on the 1940.

You can compare it with my 1940 Chev. Both cars still used the same engine.

IMG_8232.jpg

[Mike Cecil]

Matt,

I have a reference to the USASOS placing an order for 149 Pontiac Sedans (and 378 Pontiac Utilities), all of which were delivered before the end of March 1943. One of the Pontiac Sedans was subsequently released for the use of the Chinese Consulate. Looks like you have several possibilities for choosing authentic markings.

Mike

[Lang]

Matt

Trip went well excepting a gearbox problem coming home.

A highly recommended way of travel!

Lang

[Mike K]

Seems the authorities suggested to use a GLOSS finish for staff cars, within Australia anyway, dated Feb. 45
Source: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear....aspx?B=453113