1942 Chevrolet prototype for 1/4 jeep

[1943Willysgpw]

OK. I personally have never seen this but, it makes sense that all the manufactures would have a shot at the contract. If this is real, I see why they did not get chosen. Weight and cost. What a cool early model 4 wheel suspension.

[OldPappy]

It is interesting, particularly the independent suspension, but the date I see appears to be 3-31-44 which is too late for the Jeep trials.

Hope someone can come on and tell us what it is.

[Farrell Fox]

[Post Deleted By Author]

[gerrykan]

It's not a Crosley Pup, but similar.
Chevrolet also submitted a proposal for an air transportable lightweight jeep.

http://www.ewillys.com/2019/03/19/1943- ... e-on-ebay/

[Chuck W.]

The Chevrolet prototype is in the Sam Warner Museum in Monteagle, TN, there was only one built.
L to R, Willys Air Cooled (WAC), Crosley Pup, Kaiser and the Chevrolet. All were submitted as ultra-lightweight vehicles, all were air cooled, and none went into production.

Photo from the Sam Warner Museum

[OldPappy]

Very interesting.

I have to go to that museum, it isn't that far from where I live.

[Joe Gopan]

Crosley Pup, Page 204, U.S.Military Wheeled Vehicles,Fred Crismon.

Sam Werner Museum,
There's gotta be something from me in there somewhere.

[OldPappy]

A friend of mine has restored several military vehicles for museums, and has a MB in his shop right now, almost finished, that is for a museum. I need to ask him if any of his are over there.

I am planning on taking the trip to the Sam Werner museum, it is just down the street from my favorite BBQ restaurant on that mountain too.

[Joe Gopan]

I'll have to check it out. Bud had a knack of acquiring the rarest of the rare WWII thru 60's MV's just for his future Museum.

[Chuck W.]

Both the Chevrolet and the Kaiser vehicles are listed in Crismon, page 206, along with the WAC on page 209. These were all part of the 4x4 Extra Light Weight vehicle program. Chevrolet, Crosley, Kaiser and Willys all submitted vehicles for testing. I was wrong, there were two Chevrolets, but only one was provided for testing. The Chevrolet was powered by an Indian motorcycle engine, the Willys WAC was powered by a Harley Davidson engine and the Crosley Pup was powered by a Waukaesha engine.
These are some really interesting vehicles and to have all four of the side-by-side for inspection is incredible. Here are a few photos I took last time I was there:




I did have a jeep, trailer and M274 engine on loan, but removed them due to some issues that came up at the museum.

[Joe Gopan]

Bud used to send me Fruit Cake during Christmas and cookies that he and his girlfriend baked at an old underground gov't bomb shelter in Virginia every year.

[Chuck W.]

The last time I visited with Bud, shortly before his death, he mentioned you, Joel!

[Chuck W.]

There's gotta be something from me in there somewhere.

If it's on loan, you should confirm your paperwork with the present museum BOD. Older loan agreements should be renewed and confirmed.

[Joe Friday]

And the KAISER was designed by none other than KARL PROBST of Probst and Harger. One of 6 Kaiser Lightweight designs.

Now that we know PROBST didn't design the Bantam, at least he can take legitimate credit for something.

[Joe Gopan]

There is something very special about a Sam Werner Museum, it was a long time coming. Too bad Bud wasn't stll around to enjoy it, or maybe this is how he would have wanted it.