GoranWC51

Hi, Importing from Norway does have its obstacles. Finding a trucking company who are willing to do the job is one. It often comes down to where in Norway the stuff's located. If it's off their route, they'll pass. Exporting MV's or parts there off is regulated nowadays. You have to get written permission to export these items. Contact the Military Museum in Norway: http://mil.no/culture-attractions/museums/thedefencemuseum/Pages/default.aspx I'd go with the option of bringing a trailer and do the job yourself. My 2 pennies worth Goran N

A friend of mine, who knows his MV's, told me that the Scout Car was the only US MV not equipped with a governor to reduce the top speed. So you can drive it a 70 mph without prob's, but stopping - that's another matter! Goran N

Davs Peter, You chose the correct type of Oak, actually. The originals where made out of California White Oak (among other hardwoods). I'll be keeping the wood on the sides of my bed too, as they also seem to be original from the factory, plus the fact that they're in good condition, just needing a sanding and re paint. I'll be coming your way later in July, with my WC51 plus Willys MBT, after our shake down cruise around the Battle of the Bulge areas in Belgium. I'll be heading back and will take the opportunity to show you my Dodge in all its new glory. :-) Göran

Davs Peter, What kind of wood did you use for the floor boards, oak? My WC51 is coming along slowly but surely and we're aiming to pick it up in June, hopefully. I'll be taking it on a shake down cruise around the Battle of the Bulge areas in Belgium for about a week, together with my new Willy's MBT, before heading home to Stockholm. Göran N

Just out of curiosity: What type of trailer was the "original" one? This build I'm sure must have set many minds going, building similar rigs. I'm considering getting a GMC CCKW 353 with a K53 body and turn it into a camper for me and my electric wheelchair. It would have to be equipped with an electric hoist of some sort to lift up me and the wheelchair. Must be fantastic to use a comfy camper like that instead of sloshing it out in a tent ;-) Goran N

I got hold of a overhauled Carter Ball&Ball ETW 1 carburettor, just like the one in your WC51, and it had been renovated by the Norwegian army in 1983. It sported exactly the same really ugly green colour. Goran N

This article says they are Mark IV Spitfires.... Goran N

The engine should be painted smoky white (see pic), not the green it has now. I believe that colour was used post war when rebuilding them. Good luck, Goran N

Why make a replica in 90% size? Must just as easy/hard to build it in full scale 1:1? Is there some hidden secret that I'm unaware of? Goran N

The guy on the right, pointing at the name "Libby" looks EXACTLY like Richard Hammond, The Hamster, on Top Gear.... Amazing! Goran N

Hi Steve, I would actually think more than twice before trying to better the set up from the factory with a "modern" petrol engine. The original side valve six can be made to be not too thirsty. The miles per gallon figure is depending on a lot more than just the engine. Axles, gearbox, shape of body, wind resistance, weight (2.600 kgs for a WC51), everything has to be taken into consideration. Another thing you have to ask yourself is how far you''ll be driving your WC54 each year. Is it really worth spending a lot of money swapping out the engine, cut and weld to get it to fit? The value of the vehicle will also drop dramatically. My advice: Get the two speed auto gearbox I suggested, drop in a power steering unit, maybe fix a power brake setup, and you're set! Good luck, Goran N

Hi Crippy, Funny, I've been thinking in the same paths as you for my Dodge WC51. There is a Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth two speed automatic transmission that supposedly bolts right onto the original 213 c.i. 6-cyl Dodge engine. All brackets etc are supposedly bolt on too. That'll make your WC54 fairly close to stock as a matter of fact. I have also seen a bolt on power steering, using a special bracket and a pump from a Ford 150 truck. That way it'll be fairly easy to return to original condition the day you decide to sell it. My e-mail: goran_noren[at]yahoo[dot]com Good luck with your search for a WC54. They are nice vehicles, with good room in the back. Goran N Lidingo, Sweden

Did the one in the background look the same? Goran N

From the US Canvas website: 4 piece tarpaulin, cargo cover, driver cover and 2 cargo body curtains, cargo cover is furnished with rub strips where it meets the top bows, chrome leather squares and buckles to accept the cab straps and the side roll up straps, leather reinforced rope tube ends, cab cover has black finish brass front eyelets and high quality leather straps to attach to cargo cover. The cargo body curtains are attached with eyelets (brass black finish) and lashing rope included, they have roll up straps fitted and include a window with flap that fixes open or closed. Price £480 all parts can be purchased separately.

I can really recommend John & Mary Worthing in the UK: http://www.uscanvas.com/ Their canvas work is next to none and they've been making canvas for MV's for many years. Got the canvas for my Dodge WC51+seat covers+windshield cover, from them. The canvas of my Dodge is still strong after 20 years (!) albeit a bit faded in colour. Goran N

Why fit a diesel in a MB or GPW in the first place? The cost of buying the engine, plus the cost of installing it, doesn't make sense to me. In a vehicle that is driven very little. You can get lots of liters of pristine gasoline for the money of converting it. Diesel conversions are commonplace in France, apparently. Saw hordes of French registered MV's with diesel's blowing black smoke all over the place, last time I was in Normandy 2009. Goran N

I don't have to worry with my Dodge WC51, it had Antifreeze put in it 1944 ;_). It's true, says "Prestone 44" on top of the radiator! Goran N

Here's some more: Goran N

More helmet markings: Notice the crudely applied markings on the helmet in the last picture. I'd guess that some medic's wanted markings to stand out so they could be seen. Others opted for as small as they could make them, after having been shot at.... Goran N

Here's an excellent picture showing how diverse these markings could be: Goran N

Micha of the MVBros have purchased what (apparently) is quite rare, as it is equipped with wire wheels and slightly different fenders. Any K 38 specialists out there that can help with information? Goran N

Hmmm, that would mean that my Dodge WC51, built on February 12 1945, would have white registration numbers? Goran N

My guess is that the "Mystery Moke" equipped with outriggers belonged to some South American country, going by the uniforms and the soldiers sitting in it, perhaps Argentina. I saw photo's of an American heavy motor home, built on a bus chassi, that had a Mini Moke parked in the luggage compartment under the floor of the bus. The Moke had the windshield folded and fitted neatly inside. Goran N

Steve, looking good. I'm slightly jealous of you... But you probably have a lot of work ahead of you. Why not try to remove the "Bubba" floor and replace it with a replica one from MD Juan, or equal? Replacing the whole body with a replica one will hurt the final value of your GPW. The days are gone where you would get the same amount of money regardless of if the body was original (for the most part) or replaced with a Phillipino one. Try looking into the restoration of a Jeep belonging to a friend of mine in Norway, Johnny Thjømøe. He has replaced the whole flooring with sheet metal, but done it correctly: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=668432451 Keep us all posted of your progress. Goran N

Hi Davie, I took the liberty of cropping some of the photo's and also fiddled with contrast, colour, etc. to get back some of the lost hue in them. Also tried to sharpen the blurry one's slightly. Goran N