Description
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Viewing: Tues 8th April from 12pm
Auction: Wed 9th April from 9am
Location: IWM Duxford Airfield, Cambridge CB22 4QR
c. 1944 Chevrolet CMP C15
No Reserve
Registration No: HUE 25
Chassis No: the details below
MOT: Exempt
In the same family ownership since the 1950's
Fitted with a crane unit during civilian life and used to haul engines from Avon river boats
Offered as an exciting project in need of complete restoration
Understood to have been used in Desert Theatres during World War II
The Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) truck refers to a series of military vehicles used during World War II and in the post-war period that were produced in Canada and were based on British designs. The CMP trucks played a crucial role in various military operations and logistics during that time. They were manufactured in large numbers and came in various configurations, including cargo trucks, artillery tractors, ambulance vehicles, and mobile workshops, among others. They were used for transporting troops, supplies, and equipment both in a range of theatres. Most CMP trucks were manufactured by the Canadian Chevrolet division of General Motors and Ford Motor Co, Canada. Some 410, 000 CMP trucks were produced and it is understood that GM produced variants alone represented 201, 000 of these. The Chevrolet version was offered with a six-cylinder GM engine and was produced in many different weights with short and long wheelbase variants and offered with 2x4 and 4x4. The C15 and C15A were rated at 15CWT with a 101-inch wheelbase and were 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive respectively.
According to the vendor, chassis the details below is understood to have been built as a Military Van during 1944 and served in the Desert Theatres during World War II, and particular reference was made to Tunisia. Staying within the military until 1949, the V5 records that it was first registered as 'HUE 25' when sold into private ownership on British shores and was by this time sporting a flat-bed body. The vendor's father is understood to have purchased 'HUE 25' and saw immediate potential in fitting a crane to its deck and using it to haul engines out of his collection of working river boats that offered tours of the River Avon from Stratford. The vendor fondly remembers that his first driving experience was being thrown into the cab at the age of 16 and learning to operate the crash-gearbox and centre throttle - being told by his father that he would 'soon learn'.
Some years later, the flat-bed was laid up due to the river boat operations being ceased and remained undercover in the firm's yard until the vendor's father's passing some years ago. Said to have been run some years ago and due to be removed from its current place of rest, the vendor has advised that it would make a fantastic restoration project for any budding military vehicle enthusiast and has informed us that it comes with an old-style V5 showing 0 former keepers.
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Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
