42 chevy Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 (edited) All; Attached are pictures of the latest acquisition to the motor pool. 1944 Sterling HC165 tractor with rear winch. It was ordered in April 1943 and delivered to the US Navy (Bureu of Docks and Shipyards) in April 1944 and saw service in the Boston, Ma. area, post war it was acquired by a house moving outfit HEFFERMAN. A nice survivor. Still has the Waukesha 6SRKR engine. According to Warren Richardson (noted Sterling historian) there were only 116 of this particular model built from 1939 to 1945, unknown how many went to the US Navy. Currently the only known survivor. John G û Edited September 26, 2015 by 42 chevy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Comber Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Thank you for posting and a superb new acquisition, I can almost smell the patina across the pond ! That must be one of the last chain drives of any commercial to be made ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels v Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 oh that's just nice :yay: are you going to keep in its civilian livery or restore it to navy ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_bish Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 lovely truck and as said the patina is amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42 chevy Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 Present plans are to keep it as a survivor. Sterling made chain drives up to 1952?. Mack about to the late 40's. Sterling was regarded as a robust and stout chain drive. John G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 That's a very nice truck, wonder what the Navy used it for? In particular the cab looks very solid. The wood framing on the cab has been an issue with some the bigger Sterling Navy wreckers which were just too large to put inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42 chevy Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 Gordon; Fortunately she spent her life stored indoors. A few odds and ends to do on the preventive maintance front. 5 speed main box with a 3 speed aux trans. Has all her orginal guages except for the temp guage. John G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 She is nice, and for a Sterling, easy to park ..... :angel: I've seen images of a good few dump versions around the same size, and I remember seeing images of several abandoned ones in Greenland, with and without dump bodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosrec Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 to me that is a thing of beauty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Silly question. Why the chain drive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I suppose if she were mine I'd be showing her off too, so you're forgiven this time John. Are they 14.00 x 20s on the rear? I always find it difficult to judge tyre sizes on these early low-cab Americans. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42 chevy Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) Tony; If your asking why the Navy wanted a chain driver wrecker/ truck, thats anybodys guess. If your question is why did Sterling build chain drive truck: durabilty and strength, higer ground clearance for ther rear axle if you are in an off road situation. Sterling had a reputaion in the industry for building heavy duty drive lines and with a chain drive you can easly change gear ratios by changing sprockets. If your question is why did I buy a chain drive truck, thats easy, it has a serious cool factor.................... To answer the other Tony's question, since the truck is not at my place yet, I do not know the tire size, but they are big. Warren Richardson (noted Sterling Historian) was at the truck show where he spotted the truck, he ddi the recon and then I made I deal, so I have not "touched" it yet. Forgive me, for what, I am just preserving history :laugh: however, I wil be selling some pieces from ther motorpool in the near, one is a 1940 G7112. John G Edited July 20, 2015 by 42 chevy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Thanks for the explination, so the real reason is 'Because I can have it!' that I understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 ......Forgive me, for what, ?.........G For making us lot so envious, that's what!!!! Enjoy her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42 chevy Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 Here is a picture with it hooked up to a trailer that was offered. A nice looking bit of kit as you guys would say. But I just took the truck. John G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ploughman Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I assume that the previous owner was actually a "House Mover" in that they actually physically moved buildings? A fair bit of power, load capacity and ability to take some abuse would be essential in that game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) Here is a picture with it hooked up to a trailer that was offered. A nice looking bit of kit as you guys would say. But I just took the truck. John G WHAT? Go back and get that trailer - RIGHT NOW! How cool would it be to truck one of your large wreckers to a show on the back of that? Edited July 20, 2015 by N.O.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels v Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 wouldnt the trailer have been usefull, then you could take one of your other lorries on the back of it. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Comber Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I suppose if she were mine I'd be showing her off too, so you're forgiven this time John. Are they 14.00 x 20s on the rear? I always find it difficult to judge tyre sizes on these early low-cab Americans. Tony Tony they look like 24" rims to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42 chevy Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 Well if I acquire the trailer, some "issues" will need to addressed, namely licensing to operate on main roads. I have a class B commercial license with a passenger and air brake endorsement. This also allows me to operate vehicles over 26,000 lbs gvw and only pull a trailer up to 10,000 lbs GVW (gross vehicle weight), anything more and you need a class A license. Any policeman looking at that trailer will know it has a GVW well in excess of 10,000 lbs GVW. I can register it historically and keep it for "private" use and label the tractor as such but it does resolve the licensing required it operate it legally, however I would be exempt from Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. John G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I think you need to go back and get that trailer as soon as you can, even if it is just to put it somewhere safe. I'm assuming it wouldn't be megabucks. All of that, Navy grey - with some suitable naval-type load, maybe a small landing craft up on blocks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42 chevy Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 Gordon; He was asking $15,000 USD. John G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 About £9000, not cheap, but not a fortune. Probably worth a bid of 75% of that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 There's also the added value of knowing you are keeping a couple of life-long companions together. Sorry was that too much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42 chevy Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 Thank goodness I had my boots on when I read the last post:laugh: John G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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