CMP ID Need help

[sapper740]

I've found a 1942 Chev C15 for sale here in the U.S. It's LEFT hand drive. Is this rare and unusual? Just about all the CMPs I've seen are right hand drive. This vehicle has no box on the back, but it does have a sliding door to the rear from the cab. The hatch is square. There are no original markings and it has been repainted. The story I've been told is that this vehicle was sold to Argentina after the war and eventually made it's way to the U.S. Any help in identifying this vehicle would be greatly appreciated.

[cliff]

a pic or data plate information would be nice. Hard to ID a vehicle you cannot see.

As to LHD you may find it has been converted post war as I was under the impression that only RHD CMP's were made.

[Keith Webb]

You're correct, Cliff - they were only made in RHD.

There have been limited conversions to LHD - including the one in the movie Operation Dumbo Drop.

[cmp_uc_guy]

Hey guys,

While I am reassembling my '43 F15a I have noticed that there are existing twin mounting holes for everything on the left side like, the brake pedal lever "through frame" hole, even the steering box has a place to mount, and master cyl.

To hook up the steering I saw a homemade F60X with the front diff flipped or something and a longer steering box arm that attached to the steering knuckle from underneth, has anyone else seen this?

Rob

[chris vickery]

Rob, I noticed the same thing when I restored my 12 cab.
After a bit of pondering on this, I came to the realisation that the factory used identical blanks prior to forming left and right frame rails. This is often done in automotive stamping.

[cmp_uc_guy]

Well Chris,

I've never done this conversion but have seen it done, It would probobly take a bit of tinkering but one of the many things that appeal to me about these trucks is the RHD so I'l leave it!

[sapper740]

Originally posted by cliff
a pic or data plate information would be nice. Hard to ID a vehicle you cannot see.

As to LHD you may find it has been converted post war as I was under the impression that only RHD CMP's were made.

I got some pics in the mail, it's an old gentleman who's selling this CMP and he isn't computer literate. I'll scan the pics he sent me and upload them for you to have a look at. The hatch is on the left side of the cab. There appears to be some sort of bracket with two arms surrounding the pintle hitch, for what, I don't know. I'll be talking to the gent on the phone again tonight and I have a bunch of questions for him so stay tuned!

[sapper740]

Just bought this 1942 C15 from a guy in Chicago. I mentioned in an earlier thread about how I was told this truck was in N. Africa during the war, then was shipped to Argentina and subsequently driven to the U.S. where my seller bought it 25 years ago. I'll upload some pics. I have several questions: Did all CMP's come with an ashtray (if that is indeed what it is) or this this a civilian version? There was a data plate which was removed for painting and then lost. I was told it said the truck was a 1942 C15. It appears to have been manufactured as a left hand drive, but that is only after a cursory investigation. Do all C15's have such a large rear differential, this one is massive for what is basically a 3/4 ton truck. The passenger seat folds forward to access the sliding door to the rear, what models would have had this feature? I'll include several more pics and I invite any and all comments and suggestions to aid me in restoring this truck. My initial work will be to remove the items added over the years, find a correct box, do the brakes, replace the tires (they have Spanish on them) and paint. Any ideas on the correct paint for 3rd Cdn. Inf. Div.?

[sapper740]

More pics

[sapper740]

more pics

[sapper740]

morepics

[sapper740]

more pics

[cliff]

There are major civilian modifications to this truck including LHD. ALL CMP production was RHD.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by cliff
There are major civilian modifications to this truck including LHD. ALL CMP production was RHD.

Definitely, heavily civilianized (there were no 'civilian' CMPs made), but a fascinating conversion nonetheless. I'd almost be tempted to leave this as it is rather than try to convert back to original configuration, but that's your call. Thanks for sharing these pics!

[Keith Webb]

Also not a C15 axle... Looks like a F602L 3 ton axle.

In fact, the conversion is so bizarre I'd say keep it as it is and ask those nice Canadians to send you an authentic one from up North to put the correct box on and paint as a WW2 version.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

This sounds like an excellent basis for a mag article please! If accepted there is a contributor's fee + two copies of the mag.

PM me if you are interested!

[cletrac (RIP)]

A close look at those pix shows a lot of mods. It has a onepiece non swingout windshield, roll down windows, inside door handles, extended front fenders, fender signal lights, and all that extra grillework. Notice how the doors were built out to cover the handle mechanism. The windshield wipers are even mounted below the windshield. Those rear quarter windows almost look like they came off a 1950 Chev pickup. The front axle looks like they removed the center section and welded in a pipe to replace it. The running boards and rear fenders look like they came off a HUP and the gas tanks could have come from anywhere. All in all a lot of stuff to change for a restoration. I'd be tempted to leave it like it is too.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Also not a C15 axle... Looks like a F602L 3 ton axle.

Agree, looks like the tubular front axle as found on the Ford F602L. Does it have a two-speed rear axle? Weird conversion - does it have a wartime 216-cu.in Chevrolet engine? Would not be surprised to find a big honking V8, a diesel maybe! - under the hood. Interesting as it may be, not worth the hassle of converting back to WW2 specs.

H.

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by cliff
There are major civilian modifications to this truck ....

Including a major re-work of the cab which has been raised vertically by about 5 inches to clear the wheel arches (and probably give better legroom!). The guards (fenders, wings) normally join to the piece of angle below the headlights. The guards have been converted to one single panel, instead of two. The top of the guard arch usually comes to half way up the door. I couldn't work out why the wheel arch didn't intrude into the door! The door hinges also show how much extra has been put into the height.

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Just just merged the two threads in order to keep some continuity here.

Derek, can we get some more detailed pics? I'm intrigued by this...

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Just just merged the two threads in order to keep some continuity here.

Derek, can we get some more detailed pics? I'm intrigued by this...

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Just just merged the two threads in order to keep some continuity here.

Derek, can we get some more detailed pics? I'm intrigued by this...

[cliff]

Boy that is a very, very interesting and well done modification on the old girl. I too would have to agree with the others, It is too far modified to return to original so I would keep it as it is because it is unique in it's own right.

Cheers
Cliff

[sapper740]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
This sounds like an excellent basis for a mag article please! If accepted there is a contributor's fee + two copies of the mag.

PM me if you are interested!

Which magazine is that? I'd be pleased to submit an article about my CMP. I'll get with the fellow that sold me this truck and see if he can remember any further details about this truck and it's history. There is a definite Argentinian connection....the tires are "Goodyear Militar" with additonal spanish on the sidewalls. There remains an Argentinian Automoble Club emblem on the grill also. Its apparent this truck has some stories to tell! My email address is sapper740@charter.net

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Also not a C15 axle... Looks like a F602L 3 ton axle.

In fact, the conversion is so bizarre I'd say keep it as it is and ask those nice Canadians to send you an authentic one from up North to put the correct box on and paint as a WW2 version.

Hey! I'm a nice Canadian too!

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Derek I have PM'd you!

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by sapper740
Hey! I'm a nice Canadian too!

All Canadians are nice people... well mostly anyway

Just looking at some of the other pics you've posted - the spare tyre location is also a mod, the rear axle is from a 4X4 model and the lifting sling flanges on the hubs indicate 1944/5 manufacture.

The Argentinian connection is interesting... it's good to see there is a thriving population there.

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
Weird conversion - does it have a wartime 216-cu.in Chevrolet engine? Would not be surprised to find a big honking V8, a diesel maybe! - under the hood. Interesting as it may be, not worth the hassle of converting back to WW2 specs.

I've just checked the engine block casting numbers...it's a GM 250 cu. in. straight six gasoline engine. They starting making these engines in the '70's.

[sapper740]

Looking at my truck I've found a few things that might help ID exactly which model I have. The frame has been lengthened about 36", fortunately it has been well gussetted and very professionaly done. Deduct that from my trucks 136" wheel base (yes, 136") gives an original wheel base of approx. 100". The rear of the cab on my truck is resting on two leaf springs with a rubber bumper in the middle. My truck also has the cross member for a winch like an LAAT. Does this info help positively ID my CMP? Were all CMP's built with sprung cabs? Which CMPs had such a short wheelbase? Did any trucks with short wheelbases, sprung cabs have a winch like an LAAT? Your help is requested and appreciated! Thanks, Derek Heuring

[cliff]

gun tractors and 15cwt's had 101inch wheel bases.

cheers
Cliff