The term service vehicles generally refers to ambulances, patrol cars, fire trucks, etc. In fact, this category is much broader. Of all the vehicles that have rendered services (from fire trucks to snow plows and trucks to garbage trucks), trucks used during wars should not be neglected because of their importance in the field. Moreover, after their military use, many of these trucks experienced a second civilian career thanks to their incredible motor skills.
Before the Second World War (1939-1945), Canada bought little military equipment. Chevrolet and Dodge were helping with home-made products. When the conflict breaks out, it soon becomes obvious that the sources of purchase will not be able to support the demand. The Department of National Defense then mandated Ford and Chevrolet to manufacture such vehicles, according to the plans of the British government. These vehicles meet very precise criteria according to a protocol called CMP (Canadian Military Pattern or, if you prefer, Canadian Military Patron). According to www.mapleleafup.org, when World War II ended in September 1945, Canada produced nearly one million military vehicles in Oshawa (Chevrolet) or Windsor (Ford)!
When to go everywhere
These Canadian vehicles destined for the Commonwealth armies are roughly divided into three categories; Tanks, softskins and armored vehicles. In this article, we will concentrate on "softskins", unarmored vehicles mainly intended for the transport of troops, ammunition or various tools. They could also be used as tow trailers, ambulances or dispensaries and were occasionally converted into a mobile radio unit. In some cases, a tarpaulin was sufficient while in others the rear part was made of aluminum.
The truck that appears here is a Chevrolet CMP C60L Three Tonner 1944, one of the only ones in Quebec. The "L" of the designation means that it is a long wheelbase vehicle (158 "or 401 cm), unlike a CMP C60S (" S "for short or" short "in French, 134 "or 340 cm). As for the "Three Tonner", it is, of course, a truck that can theoretically transport three tons of equipment. As we suspect, he could bear much more!
Slowly but surely...
The engine of this rudimentary Chevrolet is a six-cylinder in-line 216 cubic inches developing a meager 85 horsepower. On the other hand, the torque of 170 lb-ft is reached from 1200 rpm. The transmission is a four-speed manual. Although some softskins have been driven by the rear wheels, most, like our featured vehicle, are entitled to a 4x4 system as efficient as it is not sophisticated. Moreover, everything, but absolutely everything in this type of vehicle, is thought based on the efficiency and simplicity of maintenance. In fact, with a few keys (1/2, 9/16, 5/8 and ¾), it is possible to assemble and dismantle the entire truck! The aesthetics and the comfort of the occupants did not even appear in the initial specifications ...
When Gerry Boucher of Waterloo in the Eastern Townships acquired his Chevrolet CMP 1944 a few years ago, a restoration was in order even if the military vehicle was not too affected by the vicissitudes of life. Curiously, the different parts of the bodywork and the mechanics were not difficult to find except the master cylinder that had to be rebuilt, for lack of finding one on the market. On the other hand, the vacuum-assisted brake system worked perfectly! Although it was never exported to Europe, this truck was still used during the Second World War. Then, like most of his compatriots, a second career awaited him. While some became snow plows, others were tow trucks and some of the trucks, this CMP C60L had been transformed, like several others, into a fire truck for the bushfires for the town of Ste-Agathe in the Laurentides.
November 11, Remembrance Day
When the world war ended in September 1945, the production of military vehicles did not cease immediately. Until the early 1950s, Chevrolet continued to build them, still on behalf of the Canadian Army. Then, unfinished vehicles will be shipped to Africa, Norway, India or Australia (all countries with right hand drive) where a locally manufactured box will be bolted.There is no association of military vehicle owners in Quebec, but about forty collectors and restaurateurs like Gerry Boucher meet occasionally. One of these occasions is November 11, Remembrance Day, when several municipalities organize commemorative parades.
Produced 1940-1945
Manufacturer Chevrolet in Oshawa and Ford
Crew 1 + 1 passenger in cabin
Length 5,2 m
Width 2,12 m
Height 3,0 m
Mass 4.1 t
agility
Drive 8-cylinder with 3922 cm³
71 kW (96 hp)
Maximum speed 55 km / h
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