Chevrolet 1542 MCP

[Grant Bowker]

Thank you for the photo of a data plate without the overpainting. It explains the line between engine number and gross weight that I hadn't understood - number of cylenders, bore, stroke (dimensions in mm).

[Mike Cecil]

Interesting the two build plates shown have engines beginning with TR and only 24 apart: TR4045370 and TR4045394.

If Mike K is correct that the 'R' means a RHD build, then it is indeed strange that it would be built/assembled in France, which country uses LHD.

[David Dunlop]

OK. There is a key piece missing here.

We are trying to wrap our heads around two examples of 1941/42 Chevrolet trucks assembled in France, perhaps with 1944 dated engines.

France fell in May/June 1940!

Maybe these vehicles are rebuilds, or assemblies from available surplus, wrecks, parts and wartime KD vehicles, that were being used to jump start French factories and reboot their economy. Whether or not they were LHD or RHD did not matter at all at the time, but getting the country back on its feet did.

Maybe we are looking at these two trucks now through a telephoto lens, when a wide angle one would make more sense.

David

[Mike K]

I believe the engine prefix 'TR' would be for a Canadian built engine . From memory many CMPs have the 'R' series engines . My C8 has a TR prefix engine in it , so does this Australian coupe ute
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...540#post208540

Originally Posted by Tim Hunter

Hi all, thanks for your replies, very interesting! Some further info,
Engine number: TR 3554562
Chassis number: 3200? ( taken from compliance plate not chassis rail)
Body number: F085
Colour: DLX KHAKI
Batch number/date: FO
Chassis is there, missing front right spring perch (rear), I beam Axel, hubs, wheels.
Drive train is there including rear diff with six bolt pattern hubs, tailgate is there and in good order. I have a running 216 to drop right in.
Great to know how few were manufactured, I wonder how many survivors there are?

This might help https://hotrod.gregwapling.com/chev-...dian-chev.html

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

This might help https://hotrod.gregwapling.com/chev-...dian-chev.html

Hi Mike,
This is the information and research that our friend and forum member, the late David Hayward compiled.

[Charlie Down]

Dave Ashby

Hi Dave, I've been after photos and dimensions of the bumper bracket for the 1533x2. I am currently supporting several builds and this item has come up as a bit of an issue. I believe the 1543 had the same brackets with support bars. Could you do me a massive favour and take some photos of the bumper brackets and how they fit to the chassis and bumper. Some basic dimensions would be great too.
Thank you.

[Colin Alford]

Dave,

Ref your Rear Axle tag from post 36:

It appears that the wide variety of "major assemblies" being stored in Ordnance Depots was cause for confusion by 1944.

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers were evidently tasked to produce identification manuals to aid personnel when attempting to determine the correct application for major assemblies (ie: Engines, rear axles, front axles, transmissions, transfer cases, and steering gear).

The two manuals that I have seen are GM Major Assemblies, and Ford Major Assemblies. They include images or drawings which point out the major identification features, the locations of any cast or stamped markings which will aid in identification (ie: gear ratio), and also have data sheets which list all of the components to assist technicians if they needed to convert the major assembly that they had on hand to fit a different vehicle than it was originally intended for.

It appears that at about the same time, the manufacturers were instructed to affix metal tags (such as your example) with the part number of the major assembly. I presume this was seen as a more durable form of marking than any other methods that had been previously employed.

I believe that a few examples of this type of tag have been discussed previously on this forum. An example that comes to mind was an image of a Windsor Carrier engine bearing one of these metal tags that was found in a CMP.

Perhaps someone with easy access to a CMA-02 or FMA-01 can post an image where these tags are explained.

Colin

[Colin Alford]

Dave,

Here are some images from CMA-01.

1809572 is certainly the correct rear axle for a 1542X3, and it is also correct for 1531X8 and 1541X8.

Regards,
Colin

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Colin Alford

Here are some images from CMA-01.

1809572 is certainly the correct rear axle for a 1542X3, and it is also correct for 1531X8 and 1541X8.

Thanks for that Colin!

And the 1533X2 had a two-speed axle - have you seen this, Charlie?

[Charlie Down]

Hi Colin and Hanno,
That's a brilliant piece of information, clears up one of the main controversies of the 1533X2 over the years.

Slowly filling the gaps in the specification. Only need to find the bumper brackets and the fuel tank cover for the CMP seats (most LRDG trucks had a metal cover on the fuel tank that raised the rear of the fuel tank frame to allow 2 CMP seats to be fitted, possibly because supplies of bench seats ran out?).

Thank you again. Charlie

[Dave Ashby]

Originally Posted by Colin Alford

Dave,

Here are some images from CMA-01.

1809572 is certainly the correct rear axle for a 1542X3, and it is also correct for 1531X8 and 1541X8.

Regards,
Colin

That’s some very useful info Colin, thank you for posting. Little by little the puzzle pieces fit together!

Cheers,
Dave

[Charlie Down]

Dave ,
That would be great, I can't find anything about them anywhere. I've got period photos that confirm the rough shape, but no details of how they look at the chassis end or what format/shape/design they are where they connect to the bumper. I imagine there's a front plate on the bracket, but how wide, what support/bracing it has, how many holes, are all unknown. Likewise the support rod system, and how that attaches to the bracket, the size and shape of the holes in the panel below the grill, (or maybe in the fenders), and whether the support rods are straight or angle into the mounting brackets.
Thanks for your help!