New leads need identifying

[Randy Croke]

Hi Gents

My first post! I've been lurking for a while after having caught the bug from a friend, but now I'm ready (don't know for what though). We've been searching for a tracked vehicle that was last seen 30+ years ago and have had no luck yet, but the attached pictures have come up as other possible leads that we intend to follow up.

Hopefully no one is familiar with these exact vehicles - I love new discoveries!

Regards

Randy

[Grant Bowker]

Your first two photos are a M-211 or one of the shop van variants based on the same chassis (the difference from the M135 is the dual 9.00x20 rear tires insteasd of single 11.00x20 on the M135)
The last 2 are a Chevrolet that looks like it belonged to the RCAF (perhaps Trenton based given your location?). I'm not sure when the making style seen on the door was used. More photos/information are needed to better identify the use of the truck.

[gary_bath_jr]

Hey Randy

Welcome to the forum, those look like some treasures for sure, if you are able to recover them, good luck on the restoration.

Gary

[Randy Croke]

Hi there

Turns out the CMP (and two others that were nearby) were scrapped early this spring, so they're gone.

Still have to make the trip to find the other M-211, though I'm pretty sure that it would be a bit big to take on for a first project, but if we find it I'll make sure to post it here and on the CCKW forum to see if anyone is interested.

No more scrap!

Randy

[Grant Bowker]

I don't see why you shouldn't have a go at it if you would be willing to have a go at a C60L or similar. The cab sheet metal unbolts into small enough parts. The cargo bed shouldn't be much heavier than than a long wheelbase CMP. The engine is an inch or two longer than the 216 in the CMPs, probably a bit heavier to allow for the greater displacement, but nowhere near as heavy as the diesel in a more modern 2-1/2 ton or larger. The transmission is a bit of a lump but fairly accessible once the cab is off. The axles are heavy but not seriously heavier than a CMP. I think the M211 wheels should actually be lighter than a 20" CMP wheel, but still a strain.
In other words, if you would have been willing to do a 60cwt CMP I think a deuce and a half is not that much tougher. One significant advantage is that there quite a few more parts sellers for the SMP series than the CMPs. One negative is that a lot of the parts sellers are in the US and subject to export controls so they won't ship to Canada, you may be able to get them to ship to the UPS Store across the line and then bring in "parts for my old truck" (not "my army truck") when you go to pick them up. (Similar phrases should be used when entering the US to pick up the parts to avoid needless grief.)