Chris Warne

Not sure where I remember this from, but I recall someone (from Poland perhaps?) offering repro Dodge WC dataplates? All the original plates are gone on my ex-Norway 1944 WC51 - any leads/info appreciated.

Thought I'd update for everyones info..... Spoke to HMRC and the VAT414 is purely for the DVLA to process the registration application. As long as the vehicle is over 6 months old, there is no VAT to be paid on it, providing there is evidence of it being 'legally' in another EU member state. If you buy from a dealer/buisness that is VAt registered in their country, then you declare the VAT was paid to them. If you buy from a private (non VAT registered) person in Europe, then you simply declare that Duty/VAt has been paid in the country it came from (else it could not be in that country legally is the assumption) and mark the form that the seller is not VAT registered in that country. Essentially, just another form to fill out and send in with your application!!

OK, I've done the first reg thing before with a jeep from Norway - easy with a C&E386 to prove duty paid. This time, I've got a truck that was registered in France previously (Carte Gris collection, Invoice, and other paperwork all present), but my V55/5 was returned with a note from the DVLA that I must fill out the VAT414 form they also enclosed. I bought the truck from a dealer who is TVA (VAT) registered and from what I understand on a web search, I shouldn't need to pay VAT - at least I hope not! The invoice states the rate of TVA, but doesn't detail the actual amount, only the 'cash' purchase price. HHas anyone been through this process, what did you put on the form VAT414? Does the form go anywhere - it says it's a self declaration, so wonder if it's just a formality that the DVLA need to 'tick the box' so to speak? A bigger question, what's the situation if you buy a military vehicle from another EC state, but its a private sale - ie: no VAT is paid. Does this mean you have to pay VAT in the UK? All help and advice appreciated!!

There's also a Churchill Crocodile at Fort Mont Barey (sp?) on the Western side of Brest, Brittany. Although the liberation of Brittany and the Brest peninsula was a largely US affair, Churchill Crocodiles were used in the battle. I think it's complete, but is a static exhibit.

I can praise Lincon in Essex aswell. They do 'correct appearance' hard rubber cased batteries and I've had a 6v for the MB and a 140Ah 6V for the GMC off them - very good quality products. I've heard recommendations on the Optima range, but the 6v offering is only 40Ah so not enough 'muscle' in my opinion. I guess it depends if you want your battery to look 'period' or not.

Tony, I can't give exact advice, but I know the general 'rule' is don't go through France with any MV unless you absolutely have to. Even my friend in Belgium, who I need to collect a WC51 from, advised going Oostend - Ramsgate to avoid France!! Having said that, my recent purchase from Jeepest (CCKW), was collected by a UK trucking firm and on arrival there was a heap of 'transport' forms that Jeepest had completed, purely to ensure no issues when going through customs/border control at Calais. I have heard of recent cases of AMX13's being seized on route to the UK, after purchase at French military sales, and the UK owner lost the tanks (confiscated) and had to pay 12k Euros to get his artic back, following a Paris court appearance! I don't think this was a fabled horror story either! One approach would be to transport into Belgium, then bring to the UK, after getting Belgian papers for it.

Pre 1952 vehicles, upon arrival in the UK attract a flat rate of 5% of the invoice price paid AND shipping cost. So, if the invoice says you paid £1000 and shipping was £1000, you would pay 5% of £2000 = £100. It is essential that you get the original form 'C&E 386' from UK customs when you pay them as this is required for UK registration of vehicles imported from outside of the EU.

Thanks for the reply. It's a complex deal on this truck as it's already sold (along with 2 others + parts) but I spoke with the buyer and he is happy to sell this WC to me 'direct' (it will never be delivered to him). The current 'owner' therefore has no problem giving me the full lowdown on the truck as he's already sold it - it is the best of the 3, runs perfectly, no smoke, good pressure, absolutely 99% rust free, and he had planned to add this one to his collection, but now has too many other trucks so is thinning down. He might be able to 'help' with some later seats and middle top bow. He's been extremely helpful and we have some mutual friends as it transpires, so I'm as sure as I can be this is a solid truck. Does 81697618 sound right for an early 1944 build? I searched the serial listings and I think I've dated it correctly. Chris

I have a 'first option' on a ex-Norway WC51, but need to decide yes/no by this afternoon, so would appreciate comments from those who know more than I!! It's a straight WC51, runs/drives/stops, minimal rust anywhere (only surface rust), and has a Frame Number of 81697618 which I worked out makes it early 1944 build? Can anyone verify I have this correct? It has the correct type of rear body as far as I can tell, but there are 3 things I spotted that are from earlier WC trucks: Steering wheel (early plastic/rubber type), Drivers side step/wheel support does not reach far back enough so is from an early 'long bodied' WC, and the seats are the high side 'bucket' seats - again from an early truck. Is there anything else that doesn't 'fit' for a late WC51 that I've not spotted? I'm 90% sure I'll go for this WC51, but ultimately want to get it correct (as far as reasonably possible!) so would I struggle to find a correct drivers step, steering wheel and seats - dealers, trade/swap with other WC owners who have late fittings? All advice would be appreciated before I take the plunge!

I just brought a GMC CCKW over from France. It was low-loadered over as the brakes need fixing, but there was absolutely no issue leaving the French port, or questions on arrival in the UK. It would have been easier to drive it over and, probably, more fun.... DVLA inspection is usually required when you're registering a vehicle that doesn't have recent registration papers from a member EU country, or especially when seeking an age-related plate. I bought a 45 MB back from Norway in 2005, spent 14 months restoring it to 'as new' and had to take it to DVLA Chelmsford for inspection/verification. I checked with Roadsure and Essex Police, as I'd had mixed answers from DVLA about whether I could drive the MB the 40 miles round trip and I was told I could drive it without registration plates (not yet allocated!) providing it was to a confirmed appointment, and that the insurance was valid, despite being on the chassis number. I drove to the inspection, and had previously driven for the MoT without plates - no hassle from the Police. Having said that, as we got close to completing the restoration (no hood, no windshield, lights not all functional, etc...) we decided to give it a spin up the road - check the gears, clutch, brakes, etc... We NEVER see Police where I live (country lanes & the like), but as fate would have it they were about that day. After a quick 'reminder' of road regulations, the officer wanted the full info on this 'as new' MB!! I guess it's who you speak with and an element of luck on the day!

Ha, no. This one will be OD and marked as 391st BG, 9th USAAF I'm now searching for a 1944 Chevrolet G7107 (G506 w/o winch) to go with my 353. I thought while I'm buying parts for it, I may aswell buy enough for 2! I have a lead on one in the US, but anything in Europe would be good!

I'm biased as I just bought a closed cab, and that took a little searching to find one with original body and no winch (which is what I wanted). There are loads of open cabs around and whilst the most common version in the ETO during WW2, there are many pictures of closed cabs, especially in AAF service. In its most basic form, the 353/352 closed cab (1608 cab) is really a stretched G506!! (Now that's another truck I want - G7107, without winch, so all leads appreciated!) I wouldn't mind the Cletrac listed on Milweb, but don't have transport to take it to shows and really need to get my 353 done first!

Hopefully this scan is ok and I won't get busted for copyright infringement! It's a little difficult to ask for the authors permission! One of my favourite pictures of a GMC CCKW 353, Closed Cab, with steel cargo body and early symmetrical grille. Note the headlamp(s?) have been replaced with blackout drive lamps and knowing the book is USAAF focussed, it appears this 353 has had a new hood number assigned as, from what I've learnt, 45555 is far too low to be an original assigned number. Interestingly, there are numerous pictures of AAF CCKW's with non original hood numbers, either 45xxx or sometimes preceded with an X- (eg: X-45853-S). Has anyone got other pics of 353's in AAF service in England (hardcabs preferred of course!) N.O.S - I'll get the tractor/tank trailer pics scanned very soon for you!

Found my serial number just in front (to the right) of the shock absorber assembly (pic below). My friends 353 (same contract but Jan 43 production) has the serial number to the left of the shock mount. His is CCKW 353 I79xxxA2 (note the use of I instead of 1 - similar to what has been found on jeeps) but my serial number has the number 1 (as per the picture). Both have Circle/164 to indicate the 353 chassis, but mine has an additional S/Circle before the serial number - no idea what this relates to, or even if it's factory applied.

Cheeers Lloyd, welcome along anytime - you can collect your jeep parts too! The wood of the troop seats/side rails is way past its best - cracked, some breaks, etc.... so I plan to replace it all to get a clean/new look. Luckily we have an 'onsite' chippy and he's offered to help out as it's not just my truck, but my mates - he's got no wood at all! This was going to be just a tidy up, repaint, etc.... but having gone through things a bit closer, the cab and bed will be coming off over the next few months. Sheet metal is all good, but cab needs some prior repairs re-doing (bubba welder got to work I guess - just untidy) and sandblasting will make sure it's solid beofre refitting it. Bed will be sandblasted after the bolt holes are welded up to get that back to spec, and whilst the chassis is exposed, that will get a full clean/rubbing down and repaint. Plan is to debut 'at a show near you' around May next year, and will be marked up as 9th USAAF 391st BG(M). I've sourced a load of new items already, but I'm desperately after a drivers door. Any original condition will do (rust, dents, all ok as long as it's not had the bottom skin replaced), and this will save replacing the bubba welded panel on the bottom 5 inches of my existing door!! I've got a NOS passenger door already - just can't trace a drivers side! Any help/leads appreciated.

I'd recommend these guys. They have 30+ trucks going to/from Europe each week, most are low-loaders and I couldn't fault their service. It's important to remember that they are heading back to the UK empty having delivered some JCB/earthmoving equipment into Europe. They've already factored the round trip costs into the overall deal, so anything they can pick up as a back load is additional revenue. Remember, whatever price you agree will be plus Vat. Call them up and ask, you might be surprised!! I called last Friday around 9.30 and my GMC was on route to the UK 4 hours later! http://www.richard-long.co.uk/contact-richard-long.html Speak with Peter Tucker - extremely helpful.

Thanks Jack, I'm happy with it. I'll be stripping the cab as there's a few small areas of rust (not rot!) at the lower corners of the bulkhead (usual place) and the door hinges are not original, but have just secured NOS items from the states. One thing I will learn during this restoration is carpentry. Metal I'm ok with, but there's a fair amount of wood on this truck and to do it right, I'll need to replace it all!

Last minute change of plans and the 353 I purchased in France made the trip to the UK on Friday/Saturday. Thanks for Rex for the info on Richard Long Transport who had available capacity on a low-loader! Thanks again to Rex, I've sourced some parts I'll need, including upper door hinges (present ones are home made!) but I'm looking for lower door hinges, any condition, complete or just parts of - so I can fix them up or remake them. Anyone got any anywhere?? You will notice that there's something not right with the body - bolts!! It's had repairs in the past and it seems that some of the bed crossmembers have been bolted to the sides! Not sure of the reasoning behind this as it's not in every crossmemeber/side location and there's no evidence of any failed welds. Anyone seen anything like this before? Serial number is CCKW 353 99916A2 which puts it around Late June/very Early July 1942 delivery

As you may have read on the other thread, I've sorted transport for my GMC via Richard Long Ltd. Thanks for the offers of assistance - appreciated.

As some have worked out, I bought a GMC 353 in France and have been looking at the best (cheapest) way to get it back to the UK. The 'plan' was to get it taken to my friends in Belgium, then get it Belgium road legal and drive it home. The other option was to send a dedicated truck over to collect. Both would have been a load of hassle and cost. Rex Ward mentioned a company who are frequently taking JCB's etc... into Europe so on the off chance I called them this morning. By pure chance, one of the 30 trucks they send to France each week was about to come back to Norfolk today, empty. We worked out a price (half what it would have cost me using the other options), my GMC will be collected this afternoon and will arrive at my storage facility tomorrow afternoon. :yay: An all round result!! Here's the company who might be able to help you out: http://www.richard-long.co.uk/contact-richard-long.html I spoke with Peter Tucker - extremely helpful.

I've had one person offer, but I don't know the exact timing just yet, so will give you a call in the next few days to discuss, thanks! Chris

No definate date yet Jack. I've bought a hardcab 353 in France, which I'm having transported to a friends in Belgium, probably in the next 2-3 weeks. I now need to work out the best way to get it to the UK!

Looking for a East Anglia or South East UK based GMC 353 owner, who fancies a free trip to Belgium (+ cash incentive) to 'assist' in bringing a 353 Hardcab back to the UK? :whistle: Drop me a mail on cwarne 'at' arrowuk.com if you're interested!

I beg to differ on the not being able to drive it to the DVLA local centre for inspection. I checked with Essex Police and they advised that as long as the jeep was MoT'd, insured (on chassis number) and being driven to/from an arranged appointment, with no deviation, then there wouldn't be any problem. Naturally, if you have a GMC, Half-track, etc... in a similar situation which doesn't require an MoT then there's even less of a problem.

Looking around for my next project, and exploring every option, I located a possible candidate in France. Although it runs, it has sat for some time and I'm assuming I will need to transport it back to the UK. It has a French registration number, but am unsure if the Carte Gris is present, although I think if it is, it will have 'expired'. So, assuming the worst and I can't drive it home, has anyone got any advice on going over with a beavertail and bringing it back to the UK that way? I've heard horror stories about MV owners having transported Armour through France, only to have it impounded or even confiscated, but this is just a GMC!