Australian CMP spare tyre carrier

[Ken Smith]

Good day Fellas,

I would like to thank everyone who has helped sort out this problem, and the amount of effort that has gone into it, it is very much appreciated.

I have certainly learnt a lot.

Ken

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Darrin,

89134 - Truck, 3 ton, Stores (Unbinned), Chevrolet C60L, chassis number 38443S61287. Taken on charge in NSW. I see it had an engine change over as late as 1960.

I'm curious to learn what led you to conclude that your truck is a 'late 44 early 45' build, as I know you do research into the history of your vehicles. Two reasons I ask: firstly, the delivery year for your truck, and indeed the entire group of ARNs it falls into, is listed as 1943. Secondly, the prefix '3' on the chassis number indicates a 1943 build, according to the Dept of Defence Identification document, page 10, Chevrolet War Dept : 'The first digit represents the last figure of year of manufacture'.

In any event, the MGO Equipment Memorandum for December 1943 is quite specific regarding the introduction of the 'Ladder, Tyre (Aust)'. Like everything, though, things are not rigid: there may be any number of reasons why an individual vehicle at the time of its disposal had the earlier style carrier: using up excess stock at time of manufacture, changeover during service, etc etc.

Mike

[Darrin Wright]

Well I do like to learn and be challenged on such things.

This was my first restoration (yes some people like to start off small and step up to bigger things, I came across this and the price was good, condition was very good so couldn't pass it up).

I did not have the information, or access to the info, when I commenced this restoration in 1991, so it was info learned and picked up as I went and from other vehicles and people. Since then I have other vehicles and the research bug has kicked in some more and I have not come back to this truck. However, approx. 2012 I visited the AWM and looked through the records and took many pics for this truck and BGC info.

The chassis number is 38443.....the first prefix is for the year and the next 4 are for the chassis model identification.

When I bought the truck it was registered as a 1944 model.

It is fitted with 44 Armour Glass.

Yes the truck had an engine change/rebuild, as when I stripped the engine down the mileage was painted on the left side of the engine block (what was readable). What you have told me now makes sense to me with the AWM126 records for that ARN and the engine swap was done in 1960 (not sure what the other numbers mean- code for engine/location???)

3 BOD I believe is Seymour area, this is where it was disposed of.

I have found another truck that has similar manufacturing details and changes to mine, it had its data plates in it and it was a (from memory) 44 or 45 model.
So, with limited info I presumed part of it's history. I know, presumption is bad...I have learned that in my job in the ADF.

When sold off, it went to the Urana Shire as a fire truck, then it sat around as a back up unit, was sold off by the shire in a town clean up and bought by a truck wreckers in Wodonga. This is where I came in and bought it, in 1991.

It had just over 14000 miles on it at the time, painted red, missing the tail gate and had some other fire truck features.

It has been a great learning experience.

[Mike Cecil]

That's the good thing about a forum like this: discussion leading to better conclusions.

(not sure what the other numbers mean- code for engine/location???) - the numbers/letters are the authority for the changeover to occur (the authority also is used for the engine to be demanded by the workshop from the RAAOC store, and so on. As you'd know, the workshop just can't front the storeman and say 'give us an engine, mate' - he'd be asked 'on what authority?' as it has to be accounted for).

3 BOD I believe is Seymour area, this is where it was disposed of.- 3BOD was located at Broadmeadows but they operated an detachment at Seymour. Many auctions were done from Seymour, so it is likely it was sold through 'Det 3BOD'.

"The chassis number is 38443.....the first prefix is for the year and the next 4 are for the chassis model identification." - yes, that is correct. The '3' prefix is 1943; and 8443 translates to: 8= Canada sourced; 4 = 4 wheels; 4 = four wheels driven and '3' = third design model which was 158 inch WB. ie a 4x4 C60L.

So do I deduce you purchased it from 'North Eastern Motor Wrobbers' in Wodonga?? THAT would have cost you!

Nice if you could find the fixed hood bows and wire mesh sides for the rear body. I don't know of anyone with a restored Stores (Unbinned) model truck, so it would be quite unique.

Mike