C15TA Chassis Numbers

[Neil Ashley]

Does any one know if is it possible to extrapolate a chassis number for a C15TA when only the Hull number is known (1147).

I realise that the number will begin with 38449, but is there any pattern to what comes next.

I note that Hull number 720 has a chassis number of 3844911724, and Hull number 208 has a chassis number of 3844911211.

Any suggestions?

[Brian Gough]

Hi Neil,

I believe the 5 digits of the serial number that follow 38449 (the year and model number) are just assigned sequentially, regardless of the type of CMP it is. So unless the entire C15TA production was built at once and all the hulls were mounted in the order they were produced, then it may not be possible to extrapolate a chassis number when only the hull number is known.

C15TAs were built under at least 2 contract numbers...SM2611 and LV.2524.

Also, hull number 732 is on chassis serial number 3844911737.

I am sure that David Hayward will be able to help out more with the answers you want.


Brian
(still looking for C15TA parts)

[Gunner]

Hi Brian:

Open invitation to come up to Ottawa so we can sip beer and compare C15TA info.

Ours is working its way up the restoration priority list and we may be able to enjoy some synergy in reproducing bits and pieces like storage bins, etc.

Cheers! Mike

[Neil Ashley]

Does anyone else have any body/chassis number's which are not currently on the list of survivors.

[Gunner]

Hi Neil:

When the weather is nicer and the foot of snow is a memory we'll get those number soff ours for you. Think- June!

Cheers, Mike

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Neil Ashley
I note that Hull number 720 has a chassis number of 3844911724, and Hull number 208 has a chassis number of 3844911211.

Any further details about C15TA survivors are most welcome!

Does anyone else have any body/chassis number's which are not currently on the list of survivors.

Are the numbers on this data plate (off the C15TA at Amersfoort) of any help? The plate itself is obviously remade, so I have no idea if the details are correct.

source

Cheers,
Hanno

[Neil Ashley]

Hanno

They have copied the details on this plate from the example in the Workshop Manual. If the 'Cab Model' number is meant to be the Hull number, the date must also be fictious.

I assume the first number in any Chevy chassis number is the year that model was introduced, rather than the actual year of manufacture?

There is a Norway Survivor on your list with a chassis number of 4044918604. Do you know the reason for this unusual number.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

1. I have added the new plate details into my database with a query...it is possible that they stamped the Hull number instead of 'APT' initially. The serial number looks about right.

2. There is regrettably no way to correlate the serial number with the Hull number. Unless we turn up one day a list such as the AWM books. By the way Tony, I checked a photo just now of one of the books and some of the 'Refugee' F-GTs turned out to be to S/M 2020!

3. Apart from the two listed C15TA contracts there was also S/M 6507..these presumably for '1944' models.

4. These are the known '1943' Models with the plate just mentioned included and also the C15AA Armoured Ambulance:

C.15AA:
# 38449xxxx ENGINE # 270 363,149 S/M 2611 WD # Z5822762

C15TA-APT:
"C.15TA HULL # 004, 3844911003 ENGINE 270 199,672 L.V.2524 JANUARY 3 1944"
C.15TA HULL # 208, # 3844911211 ENGINE # 270 XXXXXX L.V. 2524 FEBRUARY 10 1944
C.15TA HULL # 720, # 3844911724 ENGINE # 270 427,948 Z6192983 S/M 2611 APRIL 21 1944
C.15TA HULL # 731, # 3844911734 ENGINE # 270 396,699 S/M 2611 APRIL 24 1944
C.15TA HULL # 732, # 3844911737 ENGINE # 270, XXXXXX S/M 2611?
C.15TA HULL # ?? # 3844931561 ENGINE # 270 51,129

5. '1944' Models:

4844901147
4844918604
4844918671
4844918699
4844918670
4844918703
4844918709
4844918785
4844918850
4844918856
4844918922
4844918930
4844919596
4844919607

and
ENGINE # 270 546,394

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Neil Ashley
There is a Norway Survivor on your list with a chassis number of 4044918604. Do you know the reason for this unusual number.

No, that is how it was reported to me.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
1. I have added the new plate details into my database with a query...it is possible that they stamped the Hull number instead of 'APT' initially. The serial number looks about right.
(...)
"C.15TA HULL # 004, 3844911003 ENGINE 270 199,672 L.V.2524 JANUARY 3 1944"
(...)

WATCH OUT! Neil mentioned the details on this plate were copied from the example in the Workshop Manual. This could mean it is fictitious data.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Hanno, noted BUT I have seen GM of Canada Parts Book manuals for CIVILIAN vehicles and that includes the 1942 Parts Book which by definition included military vehicles, and the examples shown were off of genuine vehicles. Now, there is as you quite rightly imply, caution required here as this is from a military manual and it could be completely fictitious or partly so. However it does not look obviously made-up to me save for the 'HULL 004' in the space where 'APT' should be.

The data plate off the pilot C8A states:

GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA LTD
OSHAWA, CANADA
CHASSIS MODEL C.HU-441-M
CAB MODEL 13
CHASSIS SERIAL 2844500006
ENGINE SERIAL 3557157
ORDER PILOT MODEL
DATE OF MFG FEB/42

which looks substantially different from the production version:

GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA LTD
OSHAWA, CANADA
CHASSIS MODEL C.HU-441-M
CAB MODEL 13
CHASSIS SERIAL 2844509680
ENGINE SERIAL FR3821318
ORDER LV308
DATE OF MFG MAY 18/42

and it confuses because the engine is a late summer 1941 unit, and although the serial number indicates assembly just into the Model Year, the assembly date is several months after the chassis production date. Whilst remaining cautious a very early pilot or test C15TA might have had non-standard data on the plate. I have however marked the details as 'possibly fictitious' on my database.

[Neil Ashley]

The attached plate comes from the April 1945 Parts List.

If accurate it suggests that at least 500 vehicles were produced by September 1943, making the hull number on the previous plate look a bit strange.

David the first of your 1944 contract models (4844901147) also seems strangely out of sequence.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Thank you for the data plate details, and I concur that 1944 Model Year serial does look suspicious!

[Neil Ashley]

David

As you said, the chassis number looks believable as the last four do tend to roughly follow the hull number, but the date does look suspicous.

It makes you wonder which of the Contracts were actualy completed before the end of the war.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Hull ID plate from a C15TA surviving in Holland.

Paint no 0A76 is which colour?

[Gunner]

Hi Hanno:

Where is the HBC plate located. I haven't found one on our C15TA.

Cheers from Ghana! Meltin' Mike

[Brian Gough]

Hi Mike in Ghana,

On mine the HBC plate is mounted behind the seat, on the opposite side of the vehicle to the main GM data plate.

I looked for the data plates on yours one time but right now I can't recall if there were any there.

Cheers,

Brian