Not softskin as such: a 1940 Chev sedan question

[Mike K]

Matt

The Holden production numbers at Woodville .

1940 Standard sedan 1599

1940 Master sedan 2129

I think the Master has the independant knee front suspension .

Interesting , they don't list any specific military sedans for 1940 but they do for 1942 . Maybe the military issued 1940 cars are included in those 1940 figures ?

1942 has 620 AMF deluxe sedan bodies listed . I suspect these are actually 1941 style bodies . 1942 also has a few refugee bodies assembled at Woodville , these were Chev , Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick and divimpro cabs whatever that is, all under 30 units each .

The Fishermens Bend factory was mostly manufacturing 'special' bodies with Woodville doing the bulk of the actual mass produced bodies

Mike

[Bill Murray]

Re: Divimpro

I found this a minute ago.
Bill

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=617

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Bill Murray

Re: Divimpro

I found this a minute ago.
Bill

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=617

Ahh then DIVIMPRO in the Woodville data could be referring to the updated GMH made Chev truck cabs that were fitted with the opening windscreen and other modifications . Ive seen a few of those cabs myself .

Pictured is a GMH ute in the Western desert with the DIVIMPRO cab , the windscreen frame was brass, the hinges are visible .

[Mike Cecil]

From the thread referred to:

"It appears to be the abbreviation for "Divisional Improvements" and arose out of the field experiences of the 7th and 9th Divisions in the Western Desert. The improvements were field modifications to the Ford vehicles as they were found wanting in areas of their construction with these modifications subsequently being adopted by Ford."

The above is incorrect: DIVIMPRO is the 'Division of Import Procurement' - the wartime mob charged with actually doing deals with foreign entities, coordinating requirements of all government departments and other approved users, allocating priorities, and distributing to govt depts and approved users (doctors, farmers, manufacturers, miners, etc) what actually arrived in Australia (rather than what was ordered). It was not just concerned with MVs, but all imported items. It was a division within the Department of Trade and Customs.

It had nothing to do with construction specs issued by Army to the supplier, which were being continually improved based upon a variety of factors including operational experience.

Mike C

[Bill Murray]

Thanks very much, Mike!!!

I had no idea and the link seemed to make sense so I posted it.

Glad to get the correct answer.

Bill

[Matt Austin]

Rick, thank you very much for your assistance. I'll find out ASAP and report back.

Mike, Bill, and Mike, thank you for your input. The production details are quite interesting. I think that the DIVIMPRO story would be well worth a read, although I cant see myself getting the opportunity to spend a few months, scouring the various archives where such information may be found.

I'm speaking with a friend whose mother was a driver during the war. I'm not sure of her health, but it'd be interesting to hear her story.

Cheers,
Matt

[Matt Austin]

Well, the car is home. I've had a good initial look at it, and an happy with its general condition. The paint code, SNDRFT, is Sandrift, a 1940-only colour, and not military. I was hoping for khaki, but I can't complain. I've looked for the chassis number without success, but will go over the area with WD40 in the next day or so.

The car has tinworm in the guards and doors, as to be expected. No rust of any substance in the body. Engine is seized but a spare is on its way. Everything except wipers and wiper motors has come with the car.

So I'm pleased. More to follow.

Cheers,
Matt