Chevrolet 15xx?

rob.c · #1 26-06-12, 09:36

I've been shown pics of a restored Chevrolet truck which has been "made up" to look like an LRDG 1533 (paint and external modifications) but which is a LEFT-hand drive model... as far as I know all the 1533X2s were RHD.

The front is indeed much like a 1500 series, but what about the LHD? weren't all the 15xx and similar built in some Commonwealth nation and thus adopting RHD?

Sorry but I wasn't given a copy of the pics so I'm unable to post them here.

cliff · #2 26-06-12, 10:33

As far as I am aware all the 1533X2 LRDG Chev trucks were RHD as per the photos below taken from Service Publications excellent Factory Photos CD.

rob.c · #3 26-06-12, 12:55

Agree... the issue is, what kind of Chevrolet could it be, similar to a 1500-series but with LHD? some US-built ones? I must admit I've always believed - but don't know whether I'm correct - that all US-built trucks were LHD and all Commonwealth-built ones (Canada, Australia, India etc.) were RHD... at least those from Chevrolet.

cletrac (RIP) · #4 26-06-12, 15:36

All Canadian and US civilian trucks were lhd so that'll be what he started with.

cliff · #5 26-06-12, 20:26

If I recall correctly the late David Hayward said once that the US Chevrolet factories did turn out RHD Chevs for export as well.

But as has been said all civilian trucks from Canada and the USA were LHD.

rob.c · #6 02-07-12, 08:43

Thanks to everybody!

Why where Canadian civilian trucks LHD and military RHD, and not all of them RHD?

cletrac (RIP) · #7 02-07-12, 13:39

The Canadian trucks in the war years were designed to British standards and that included RHD.

Hanno Spoelstra · #8 02-07-12, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by cletrac

The Canadian trucks in the war years were designed to British standards and that included RHD.

Indeed, British War Office specs were RHD. But vehicles built on Canadian military contracts for "domestic use" were LHD.

Also don't forget before the war Chevrolet and Ford did export from Canada to the Commonwealth countries, many of which required RHD. See the picture of the chassis assembly in Singapore below - could the crates have been stencilled "Made in Canada"?

Also, the Netherlands East Indies ordered RHD vehicles from manufacturers in Canada, among others.

H.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

They are Fords indeed. Look at the flathead V8's and the stencilling on the wooden boxes. They are right-hand drive and have tyres with off-road tread, so most likely for local military customers. Looks like 1½ Ton Truck 134" w.b. chassis/cabs delivered as assembled chassis plus drive lines - note the engine crated on the chassis! I cannot see cowls or cabs, but often cargo bodywork and details would be of local manufacture.