My 1944 Dodge WC52

[SteveJ]

A couple of months ago I acquired this fine 1944 WC52 from a fellow in the Yukon. Originally from Switzerland he immigrated to Canada in the 90's and brought the weapons carrier with him. Though it has some minor europ mods generally it is straight clean and rust free. Runs and drives excellent. This is my current project and hope to be showing it by next season.

[Frank v R]

I think I remember seeing that truck on the 92' Alcan trip,

[SteveJ]

Hi Frank

according to the original import documentation I got with the truck it was imported to the Yukon Aug. 95. I am just in the process of ordering the build card from Chrysler. It has about 10 coats of paint on it so I'm hoping there is a hood number or other markings under there.

[Peter Phillips]

Looks like a great starting point Steve! Can I buy it, lol Did you plate it for the road yet?

[SteveJ]

Hi Pete

Hah!! maybe in a few years Ill let you have it. I hope it will be pretty slick by then. No no plates yet. I pulled off the right side drums yesterday and the shoes and drums are in great shape.

[SteveJ]

Well the first of the gear shifting has begun. After a couple of conversations with John Bizal at Midwest Military and a grinding review of Emile Beckers dodge book (in French). Special thanks to my wife and also google translator it seems that after all i do not have a 1944 WC52 but in fact a mid to late 1943 WC52. To me this is no prob and expected as it seems to be with any of these vehicles they may not be what you thought. A 43 thats cool and now I will stop tripping over what parts I will need.

We move on!!

[wayne warrenchuk]

I seen that on kijjij ,and a decent deal at that. That will make your summer memorable

[SteveJ]

Yes that's where I saw it. So I called the fellow (very nice guy). And we discussed the truck and by the end of the conversation I new I was going to buy it. The only difficulty was the transport out of Haynes Junction. Usually I'm not that lucky with kijiji stuff but it worked out and this truck is real nice.

[wayne warrenchuk]

when I worked around Dawson City 20- 25 years ago there were a couple more power wagons and weapon carriers around Callison industrial park . Whitehorse as well held some nice treasures , but they looked well used up. I imagine when scrap was high some went missing

[SteveJ]

Hi Wayne

That's the whole problem with all these WW2 trucks dodge CMP, or other. When you find them here they are all used up and the process to bring one back from that is monumental for the regular guy. That's why I feel so lucky with this one. Instead of having all the life crushed out of it years ago mining or working for the power company after the war it probably had an easy life with the Swiss Military then the local Swiss fire brigade where it was well maintained.