1943 Chevrolet Cab 13 C60s Wrecker

[cordenj]

My "new" truck. Imported back to UK yesterday, 70 years after it left for France, with help of good friend James Gosling.

This Chevrolet was subject to an extensive three year restoration from 2002 to 2005 with great skill and persistence by Maarten Broekhizen in the Netherlands.

The data plate in the cab is: C - 60448 - M - GS - 9

Here are few photos:

I am very interested to know if there is a specific manual or instruction book for the Wrecker.
Thanks

[cordenj]

Chevrolet and White Cliffs of Dover and then in its new home(with good company):

[James Gosling]

Hi John,

It was a pleasure to bring her home for you.

A very successful border raid!

James

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by cordenj

Chevrolet and White Cliffs of Dover and then in its new home(with good company):

Well done, John.

[cordenj]

Hi Richard,
yes, felt quite satisfying...although I'm sure those in Canada say its only part way "HOME".

Only concern we had bringing it back was the overall height once on James' truck. It seems bridges in Netherlands are a standard 4m high, and when we measured the Chev its top pulleys were 4.1m! So we let the air out of the tyres and didn't hit anything that we were aware of.

Do you have any info about the contract that this truck came from? I've posted the number from the dash top data plate at the start of the thread.
Thanks

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Here is some more info, the list of tools and equipment, I also have a bulletin for placing extra hooks etc., but have to figure out how to post it on the forum, just wait.

Hendrik

[Alex van de Wetering]

John,

I have seen the truck in person a few months ago; very nice. I am glad it's going to a good home!

Alex

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

First 5 pages of the S.I.B. for the wrecker.

Hendrik

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Next 5 pages

Hendrik

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Last 4 pages.

Hendrik

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Originally Posted by cordenj

Do you have any info about the contract that this truck came from? I've posted the number from the dash top data plate at the start of the thread.
Thanks

Do you have the chassis number? I can have a look if it is near my one, my dash plate is different, it says vehicle model C-60444-M-BRKD-5, where the 5 was changed in the factory from 4 to 5.
Your dash plate is unlucky not from a wrecker, but from a long wheelbase GS truck.

I think the contract no. was SM 6056, almost all the wreckers are from that contract, mine was even already in Canada changed from a LV??? contract to the SM6056, I am almost (99.9%) sure the LV contract was cancelled and the trucks were upgraded to BRKD 5 and sold in the SM contract.

Greetz

Hendrik

[cordenj]

Hi Hendrik,

Thanks for all the information, very useful and the Equipment List gives me an idea of what to start collecting.

I did wonder about the dash plate as the truck had a massive rebuild over three years and clearly has used the cab from a GS.

I think the chassis number is: 4844201748 anyway it is the number on the Netherlands Registration document

Here are a few of the restoration photos I received with the truck:

[cordenj]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

John,

I have seen the truck in person a few months ago; very nice. I am glad it's going to a good home!

Alex

Thanks Alex,
I'll try to get it out and about next year.
First trip should be to Guernsey for the Liberation 70th Tour in May and also aim to be at War & Peace

[rob love]

Originally Posted by cordenj

Hi Richard,
yes, felt quite satisfying...although I'm sure those in Canada say its only part way "HOME".

That is correct. Now it just has to make it's way to the ro-ro at Pourtsmouth and someone over here can pick it up at Halifax.

Always loved the CMP wrecker.....a real classic.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by cordenj

Hi Richard,
yes, felt quite satisfying...although I'm sure those in Canada say its only part way "HOME".

Only concern we had bringing it back was the overall height once on James' truck. It seems bridges in Netherlands are a standard 4m high, and when we measured the Chev its top pulleys were 4.1m! So we let the air out of the tyres and didn't hit anything that we were aware of.

Do you have any info about the contract that this truck came from? I've posted the number from the dash top data plate at the start of the thread.
Thanks

Hi John,
Hendrik mentions contract SM6056 which was for UK and for 86 Breakdowns, census numbers L5847850 to 5847937, think that prefix should have been H, but have notice mistakes like this in other places in Chilwell list. There was another British contract, SM2580 or census numbers 6251283 to 6251291. No other details though.

Dutch bridges are lowest in Europe and cause a lot of problems for abnormal load transporters.

cheers Richard

[cordenj]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Dutch bridges are lowest in Europe and cause a lot of problems for abnormal load transporters.

cheers Richard

Thanks for info on the British contracts Richard.
The Dutch bridge issue wan't something we'd appreciated. Common knowledge I suppose for drivers of abnormal loads.

[cordenj]

Originally Posted by Hendrik van Oorspronk

I think the contract no. was SM 6056, almost all the wreckers are from that contract, mine was even already in Canada changed from a LV??? contract to the SM6056, I am almost (99.9%) sure the LV contract was cancelled and the trucks were upgraded to BRKD 5 and sold in the SM contract.

Greetz

Hendrik

Hi Hendrik,
Do you have any photos of other dataplates on your Chev?
Apart from the tag on top of dashboard I mentioned, the only other plate is a large brass one on the back of the transmission/engine cover:


Thanks again

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

Here the other plates, if you look good you can see on the back of te plate the contact no. is changed from LV 1514 to SM 6056, is there any information about the LV 1514 contract?

Hendrik

[cordenj]

Thanks Hendrik,

Very useful again. I need to try to find some repro plates to complete the Cab inside.

Also looking to make up some rifle fittings (base and steel clamps) and the hooks for inside that were used for hanging the Screen bag and other kit.

[Alex van de Wetering]

The Dutch bridge issue wan't something we'd appreciated. Common knowledge I suppose for drivers of abnormal loads.

John,

I am happy James and you decided to let some air out of the tyres of the truck to avoid trouble with "our" bridges.....otherwise the result could have been disastrous. I think our Dutch members will remember that two years ago a a transport with a C47 smashed against a bridge, because someone didn't properly measure the width......it was "game over" for the C47!


The wooden rifle butt holders and steel clamps were discussed on the forum recently. I can't find the threads now, but drawings of the wooden parts can be found on the forum and the Hammond barn posted some pictures and ideas on how to make them recently.

Alex

[Phil Waterman]

Hi All

Knowing just how tall our vehicles are is an important bit of information, be it being hauled or driving down the road, as is the weight. Over the years I've had to stop while driving in club convoys when the lead vehicle reach a bridge with 10 foot clearance or 3 ton weight limit, yup my C60S radio truck is 10'6" tall and 10,000 lbs. Only once did I have back up in traffic.

I'd say that this is something us "amateur" truck drivers have to watch out for but it we seems that the professionals manage to tear the tops of trucks with some regularity.

Cheers Phil

[David Dunlop]

Beautiful truck, John. It would look great sitting with a KL Machinery Truck.

David

[cordenj]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

John,

I am happy James and you decided to let some air out of the tyres of the truck to avoid trouble with "our" bridges.....otherwise the result could have been disastrous. I think our Dutch members will remember that two years ago a a transport with a C47 smashed against a bridge, because someone didn't properly measure the width......it was "game over" for the C47!


Alex

Evening Alex,
Yes it was a good call and we should thank Bram van Buuren for that advice
I remember seeing photos of the C47 incident, not the way to end up.

In UK we get used to having the height displayed on a sign when approaching any "low" bridge (around 5m). A good example of not assuming everything is the same across the EU...

[cordenj]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Beautiful truck, John. It would look great sitting with a KL Machinery Truck.

David

Thanks David,

Had to look up what a "KL Machinery Truck" was!
But I agree with you, also like the Welding Truck on youtube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8ZOuk28QUo

I wonder if a C60s ever towed a British Lightweight MUREX Welding trailer?

[cordenj]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi All

I'd say that this is something us "amateur" truck drivers have to watch out for but it we seems that the professionals manage to tear the tops of trucks with some regularity.

Cheers Phil

Agree Phil, and guess most of us are "amateurs".
I've driven very large agricultural machinery (combines) on the road but not a truck the size of a C60. However, once it's was down off the back of James's truck it was a slightly more manageable height, but still need to be aware .... and try to follow something taller.

I understand that in the Netherlands a special (Heavy Goods?) licence is required, while in UK I can drive any vehicle up to 7.5 tonnes on my car licence.

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by cordenj

In UK we get used to having the height displayed on a sign when approaching any "low" bridge (around 5m). A good example of not assuming everything is the same across the EU...

Here in Australia. All low bridges on major thoroughfares have to have the minimum height measurement displayed, BUT don't believe all you see.

I found out the hard way. My 1916 Albion measures 2.95 high and we came to a bridge which had the 3.0 m clearance warning sign. I proceeded quietly under the bridge with Jill watching and I had a good 50mm clearance. Going out the other side there was a bad crunching sound as the hood bows bent back and the tilt tore in 5 places. I pulled up and noticed the sign on that exit side said 2.90 clearance, and they were unfortunately correct. Any way the local shire in charge of that bit of a mixup came good and paid for a new tilt and the repairs to the truck.. the sign now lists the clearance as 2.85m.

Regards Rick

[cordenj]

Well I expect this one of those questions with to which the answer is obvious....but here goes as its not to me!

The wrecker has a large winch under the body, I think the same as fitted to many if not all 4x4 models.
It also has twin winches behind the cab as part of the model specific breakdown gear.

So the question I have relates to to the controls on the cab floor.

I have these controls:
1. A standard handbrake to stop vehicle
2. A standard starter lever
3. The usual 4 speed and reverse gear lever
4. the longer lever that provides control top Hi/Low ratio_engage/dis-engage 4-wheel drive_engage drive to the underbody winch
5. The Breakdown specific lever to engage pto chain drive to twin winches behind cab

BUT I cant see how I can brake the main underbody winch. The general Chev truck manual (cab controls drawing from the manual attached) explains how the winch brake should be applied, and the manual photo shows a separate winch handbrake lever...which I don't seem to have.

Any ideas please on how I brake the main winch without the separate winch handbrake?

[Grant Bowker]

You are right that the normal brake location for the chassis winch brake seems to be misssing. There seeems to be a line (fore and aft) on the floor about where the brake lever would mount, are there any signs that a previous owner either filled in the holes (mounting and for the control rod) or substituted a different oiece of floor plate? If it's not clear from the top of the plate, what can you see from the bottom? How much, if any, of the linkage for the winch brake remains to give indications of where things were originally. The C60S parts list seems to refer to 2 rods with a cross shaft between them to the winch brake.
Worst case, after confirming what's on other wreckers (The Canadian War Museum has one on display (ex-Nowegian?) but I haven't asked to look at that detail and there is at least one more in the Montreal area but the owner isn't much for internet although very helpful) you could make appropriate holes and mount a lever and any missing rods.
I have recently agreed to buy a C60L with winch but have not taken posession yet. Once I have the truck I could try to photgraph that control setup if it would help you.

[hrpearce]

HI John, you need to look under the Blitz and see what you have.
Starting at the winch is a brake drum and band fitted?
If so is a rod connected to it leading towards the cab?
Photograph what you have then others may be able to supply the missing bits.

[cordenj]

Thanks guys,
I'll take some more photos when next at the barn. The cab has had a major rebuild so wasn't sure if that control had been left off or whether it was meant to omitted from the Wrecker for some reason.