Sid Swallow Ford Prototype? Need help!!

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I cannot dare hope that the original engine is still there....the engine # was the serial # as you know. I might just have the sheet for '39 as well as '40 detailing which month the engine was built in. Also, was it a truck unit or a Mercury unit, as per production CMPs.

These trucks were not 'prototypes' since there really was just the two: the 1937 15-cwt 4x2 one-offs. These wer5e officially referred to as 'Pilot Models' in the papers. The Ford was built in the Pilot Bay at Windsor. This is what we know:

On 25 July, Swallow sent the complete registration form for the truck, and mentioned that the truck was in the paint shop at that time. Delivery would be as soon as possible.[1] The Ford truck was registered as a “FORD”, 1937 manufactured [registered with a 1937 Ontario dealer plate, 856-M] Serial Number C-4800, Engine Number C-4800, with a “box” body, single rear wheels, 4300 lb. empty weight and 7,800 lb. Gross Load. The Manufacturer’s Model Number was “79”. The Series 78 was the 30 h.p. 221 cu. in. capacity L-head V-8, and it assumed that the engine was the 1937 Model truck engine: 1937 30 h.p. car engines/serials started at No. A-1, and the 22 h.p. series D-1. The Chevrolet truck incidentally had serial number 7151107427 Engine number T88,396 and was a Model 16-40S “CHASSIS WITH COWL”, with the “S” suffix denoting “Special” chassis.[2] The “7”indicated 1937 Model Year, and Model Number 1511, the “7427” indicating that it was the 7,426th truck built in Oshawa Plant in 1937 Model Year. This requires explanation: The whole truck was a Model 1640, which was a 1½-ton chassis, 131½-in. wheelbase, and the “1151”indicates a combination of the chassis model 1511, and the model 1540 Cowl, without a cab. This standard chassis was then shortened to suit, but although rated at 15-cwt., or ¾-ton, was based on a chassis suitable for double the weight![3] A note from a Lieutenant R. Henderson confirms my assessment: the chassis and engine were “standard 1½ to 2-ton Chevrolet” with a special War Office pattern G.S. body. The tyres were balloon type all round and were of the War Office type.[4] The Chassis Weight with water, fuel and oil including cab was: Front End: 2,475 lb.; Rear End 1535 lb.; Total 4010 lb. The Chassis Weight as before but with body was 2,500 lb.; 2,260 lb., and 4,760 lb., respectively. Left hand turning circle was 44 feet and the Right hand was 45 feet.[5]Both Ford and Chevrolet trucks were registered in Ontario, by the D.N.D. Mechanical Transport department, 268 Sparks Street, Ottawa. However, as of 5 August, the Ford truck was still in the paint shop and it was expected that it would be complete and available for delivery on 11 August.[6]

[1] 23 July 1937: Swallow to LaFleche, LaFleche to Ford, File H.Q. 38-72-335, ibid.

[2] Per File H.Q. 38-72-334, ibid.

[3] 27 July 1937: Letter: Kirkhope to Colonel E.W. MacDonald, D.N.D., File H.Q. 38-72-334 and –335, ibid.

[4] 3 August 1937: Memorandum: Henderson, for D. of S.&.T. to C.M.T.S., File H.Q. 38-72-334 and –335, ibid.

[5] 18 August 1974: Letter: Armstrong to LaFleche, File H.Q. 38-72-334 and –335, ibid.

[6] 5 August 1937: Ford Service Dept. to D.N.D., File H.Q. 38-72-335, ibid.

There then followed the Ford-Scammell and Chevrolet-Scammell FATs with 6x4 drive, then the 51 Chevroelt 1938 GS trucks, and finally the 40 [?] Ford GS trucks.