Re: [MV] Mystery WWII Dodge WC

From: John K. Seidts (john@astory.com)
Date: Tue Mar 13 2001 - 16:04:59 PST


-----Original Message-----
From: Mel Miller <nourmahal@worldnet.att.net>
To: Military Vehicles Mailing List <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
Date: Monday, March 12, 2001 10:46 PM
Subject: [MV] Mystery WWII Dodge WC

>Dear WC/Command Car Experts - HELP
>
>I have found a hulk which is barely restorable on my ranch in south
>Texas. I had forgotten that it was there till today when I went driving
>through the 'Junk Yard'. I remember now that we called it the command
>car when we were kids. No paperwork exists on the vehicle that I know of
>so here is a description. Any educated guesses would be appreciated.
>
>Hood is flat on top and hinged in the middle. Sides of each hood half
>are also hinged with two spring loaded hold down levers mounted fore and
>aft on each side.
>
>Grill guard protects two bullet shaped headlights mounted onto widely
>flaring fenders with two small service lights mounted next to them.
>
>Six cylinder flathead engine with spark plugs mounted close to each
>other in three pairs. Four cell battery mounted in engine compartment
>toward the front on the drivers side. Single bbl carter carb mounted on
>passenger side of engine. Intake and exhaust manifolds are siamesed on
>passenger side. As you face the firewall from the front of the vehicle,
>there is an electrical connector block which had eleven terminals in a
>circle mounted to the upper right hand corner of the firewall. Below the
>connector block appears to be a metal fuel filter housing. To the left
>of the block there is a six inch wide, three inch tall and six inch deep
>electrical apparatus which extends into the passenger compartment and
>has an Autolite tag with 40 and other numbers on it. The generator is
>mounted on the drivers side of the engine.
>
>The body is minimal. The wind shield, both doors, the cab top and
>everything aft of the seats is missing. A wooden pick up body was
>crafted out of 2x4s and bolted to the frame. The drivers side running
>board is indented for the door mounted spare tire arrangement. There is
>gas can holder mounted athwartthe forward part of the passenger side
>running board.
>
>There is a three spoke steering wheel with horn button in the middle.
>The dash is laid out as follows. To the left of the steering column
>there were four data plates at one time. Two were about 5" wide and 1
>1/2" tall placed side by side with two others directly above them, 5"
>wide by about 2 1/2" tall. To the right of the steering column there are
>five gagues: Amps, Oil Pressure (small) Speedometer/Odometer (large) and
>Fuel, and Water Temperature (small. There is a small instrument light
>above the Amps and Oil Pressure agues and another one above the
>Speedometer. There is a row of six evenly spaced pull cable controls
>under the instruments.
>
>The shift lever has two angles in it and there is a slot to the left of
>the shifter with nothing protruding from it. To the right of the shifter
>there are two slots. From the inboard one a button release parking brake
>handle sprouts. The outboard shot has a plain lever protruding from it
>with a "Billy Club" style handle on top.
>
>The tires are ND Goodyears, 9.00 - 16. The wheels are five lug split rim
>design and have the following markings: Budd Wheel Patents 1721313 and
>then the numbers 94 and 95. 90 degrees around the wheel appears "44380"
>and 90 degrees more "4" appears. The rims have a large offset.
>
>Unfortunately the only data plate is a small one on the glove
>compartment door on the passenger side of the dash and it is so rusted
>that it is un readeable. It is held on with two brass rivets in the
>middle of the ends.
>
>The only tag with a readeable number in an oval metal tag mounted with
>two slotted head sheet metal screws to the top of the firewall where the
>after lip of the hood rests. The tag appears to be aluminum or
>galvanised steeel and has been machine stamped "4290 - 21239".
>
>What have I got here (aside from a colosal restoration project)?
>
>TIA
>Mel Miller
>2 X M725
>
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>



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