1940 Chevrolet C8 FFW
This true survivor came along in the early 1990s. Its very early example of Chevrolet C8 FFW radio truck that some how survived the war almost unused. Be low the paint you can still read the original markings and serial numbers. It has never been restored, repaired or had anything replaced.
Particular early features of this truck are the No 11 cab with its tiny bonnet opening and very restricted access to the engine bay, fixed windscreen (later ones opened), large Canadian head lamps, dual fuel tanks with the reserve change over selector on each along with the compartmented fuel tanks each providing a 2 gallon reserve. The cab doors also feature hooks and eyelets that I’m assured were for desert use and allow the cab doors to be held open allowing for extra ventilation in extreme conditions. In the rear body the panels for the radio connectors remain along with junction blocks for the radio antenna and charge unit etc. Never registered by the garage and only7 used on trade plates it currently carries a 1990’s ‘old re-allocated number’.
Purchased in the early post war years (we believe 1946) and before dispersals were widespread this truck was allocated based on an application to the Ministry of Supply to Wards Garage in Nottingham. As the story goes, they were looking for a tow truck and wanted a 15cwt truck. When they turned up to collect this truck it was only an 8cwt that had been allocated for their business. They took it away, presumably disappointed and it remained there in the back of the garage until 1980 when discovered and recovered. I understand the site of the garage is now a ‘Kwik Fit’ autocentre.
Passing through the hands of several collectors, this truck came to me in the early 1990s and for some years was a regular at events up and down the country along with in Holland and Belgium too. Still as it was then this truck is down for a much-needed refresh and on the hit list for a little future attention.