My Canadian Dodge Restoration

[robbby84]

Hi guys, I' Robbby from Italy and I'm a military vehicles entusiast!

I've just discovered this forum, so I introduce myself:
I'm 25, I'm a mechanical engeneer and I love MV.Me, my brother and our father have a little collection: a '42 Willys MB (script, maybe a Slatgrill), a '43 Harley davidson WLA, a '43 GMC CCKW353 (actually under restoration), a '45 Dodge 3/4 APT WP and a '67 Ford M151A1.

I'm here to show you the restoration of my canadian dodge, the 3/4 APT WP: this model was made during 1945 by the canadian division of Chrysler Corporation.It' very similar to the US version, with some differences (a little bit narrow to fit into C47 and some other differences).

I purchased it in 2007 and after 3 years of hard work, I saved it from rust.
I'm very proud of my (and my father's) work becouse we made ALL by ourself and we are not mechanics!

Now, I want to complete it with markings: date of delivery was August,31st 1945, so I suppose it didn't partecipate at WW2.
I ask you what I have to do with markings: maybe markings of canadian army after '45? If yes, where can I find some infos,images, ecc ecc about it?

Any suggestion will be appreciated!

Thank you all!

Bye

Robbby

[robbby84]

[robbby84]

[robbby84]

[robbby84]

[Ganmain Tony]

G'Day Robbby,

Welcome to MLU. A very impressive effort. The Dodge looks amazing!!!

Ill leave to the Canadians to help you with the Markings on the truck as I'm from Australia. Just wanted to let you know what a great job your doing!!!

[BCBlitz]

robbby

that is AWESOME !!!

Can I send my CMP to you for a Italian redo ??

really you have done a great job , so question, did you clean it all up by snadblasting or just alot of wire wheel time ?, what did you use for a primer ?, that stuff that stops rust or just a regular zinc primer ?

I see things like this and it trully should inspire anyone as to whats possable .

Thanks so much for sharing !

[NORTH-SHORE(CANADA)]

HI,
Nice job first time i see a Canadian dodge
I like

[super dave]

Great job of bringing a rare truck back to life, If I could only have one ww11 vehicle that is the truck I would have

[Bob Carriere]

Fantastic job....... great before and after pictures...... what is your next project..?

Boob

[benbfkt]

Hello
Very nice job.
I guess you could use the markings for a unit staying in europe in 45-46. Or during the Korea's war.
Benoit

[robbby84]

Thank you for all your comments!!!!

I've do a lot of work

@BCBlitz: to clean from paint I spent a lot of time using wire wheels and sanpaper.I spent hundred euros of it but is cheaper than sandblasting
Than, after repair the boby, I painted all with a regular zinc primer.Only for some parts I used, before painting, a rust stopper....expecially for particular outline parts.

Don't worry...send me your CMP and I'll see what I can do

@NORTH-SHORE: Canadian Dodge is a little bit rare: probably Chrysler made only 12k-18k units...certainly less than US version...

@Bob Carriere: my next project??? GMC CCKW 353, closed cab with hole for the browning


@benbfkt: I guess also for a unit staying in europe in 45-46.Could you give me more informations? Web sites where I can find photos or any infos about these kind of units an their markings?

I'll appreciate very much...

CIAO
Robbby

[BCBlitz]

Thanks robbby for your help with my questions also what brand and shade of paint did you use ?, hand bonb spray or what did you use to apply it ?

Looks like WWII Khaki brown OD to me.

[derk derin]

Hi Robbby,
Great job on the restoration.I restored a Canadian Dodge M37 with just an angle grinder and a 50 grit sanding disk.There were 11 coats of army paint on it and was alot of work to strip.Gives the arms a good workout!
I have a couple of pictures of a Canadian Dodge APT in Saskatchewan that had a couple of original markings on it as it was still unrestored at the time.It has been so long I can't remember who even owned it at the time.Anyways,there was an "S" painted on the right side of the tub which meant (anyone correct me if I am wrong) suppressed.That meant the vehicle was grounded for wireless radio set installation.The communication collectors should be able to verify this or add to it.The other marking was a water transfer decal that is a lend lease marking.It is very faded but is just in front of the "S" marking on the hood of the vehicle.It is round in shape and I will include an image of one so you can scan and possibly copy into a water decal and add to your vehicle.This is the only lend lease decal I think Canada had so if it is the wrong image,could somebody correct me please.As far as the size of the decal,somebody can add to this thread or you will have to look at the picture and estimate it's size.Hope this has been some help to you.Again,Great job.
Regards,Derk.

[Barry Churcher]

Hi Robby
I was pleased to see these photos of your wonderful restoration . I had seen them a couple of weeks ago on an Italian site but of course I couldn't reply.
You have done an amazing job on one of my favourite vehicles. I have 2 of them but sadly they are now for sale. I am realizing in my advancing years I won't get everything restored. I was in Italy two years ago and regret I didn't know of you then.
How far are you from L'aquila? (Abruzzo)?
Cheers,
Barry

[robbby84]

Thank you Derk, for these photos. It's the first time I see original markings on a canadian Dodge.I like very much the water stencil you post !!!
Any other help or suggestion will be very usefull!

@Barry Churcher: I live in north of Italy, near Milan, circa 600 km far from L'Aquila.
Sometimes I think that I couldn't restore all things that I have in my garage... but fortunatly my father helps me with this hobby!
the 2 Dodges that you sell are canadian version?


Ciao
Robbby

[Slava]

Hi, Robby!
Great job!
Beautiful result!
I think, sendblasting is more better then wiring,
but klimat in your beautiful country gives you not a big problem about corrosion.