Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

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mdainsd
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Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Thu Jul 26, 2018 10:52 am

Well I mentioned in one of Zeph's threads that I have wanted a 3/4 ton command car since I fell in love with them in 1963. I don't want to pollute his incredible thread so I started this one.

Back story, I have never been in the right place at the right time with the right money to fulfill the dream of nabbing one of these. They are starting (?) to bring some good money on some of the mainstream auction sites so i figured, this late in life it probably would't happen. I was lamenting this over a beer with another MV enthusiast. He pipes right up with "I know where there is a project one for sale right now!"

Got in contact with the owner, started negotiations and last week made the deal. Went to retrieve the first installment this past weekend. Less than 100 miles from my house (bonus!), a bone dry body sitting on an original rolling frame.

We will start with one picture...

Image
Last edited by mdainsd on Thu Jul 26, 2018 12:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator


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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Thu Jul 26, 2018 11:34 am

Lets look at the markings as I would like to know more.

These markings seem to be applied over the original single coat of OD.

"USN" on the side panel between front and rear openings:

Image

Then on the sides of the cowl

"NI-92" twice, but underneath that is "NT3436"

Image

The PO said he thought it came from Long Beach Naval Shipyard. But could "NI" be North Island?
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Thu Jul 26, 2018 11:42 am

Somewhere along the way the body received some bodywork. But it was a while ago as this thing has been sitting in a back yard for decades.

Image

About all I can find that needs attention is the very bottom of both back corners. Due to the hat sections there it isn't just a dolly and hammer exercise.
I've been underneath and while I will not know for certain until I pull the body off and turn it over, but initially I don't see anything underneath requiring repair including every hat section I can get may hands on.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Jul 26, 2018 11:54 am

Its going to be very fun reading your progress. Good luck with everything. Keep posting, even the small stuff. :)
Oz

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by 70th Division » Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:17 pm

Hello,

What a wonderful find !! It looks to be perfect in every way.
Congratulations to you and your new project.
Good things come to those who wait :D :D :D :D :D
It clearly was meant to be !!!
It looks like a solid gold body there :D :D :D
Keep us updated on it !!
I can see the Army White Star on it :D

Best Regards,

Ray

mdainsd
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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Fri Jul 27, 2018 8:48 am

Thank you for the comments!

The second installment of stuff is on its way from out of state. I couldn't get away from work to make the trip, but a good friend took my truck and 22' trailer to fetch the stuff from this location. He just let me know it is loaded pretty full and he's starting the home bound trip.

I don't know all that is on this load and really look forward to it arriving in a couple of days.

I will share here when I have some pictures.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Sun Jul 29, 2018 8:42 pm

Busy hot weekend.
Saturday, started a little archeology. I like to just work my way around with a bucket of water some wetordry sandpaper and just my hand. I catch more with the tip of my fingers than I do with my eyes.

Started at the firewall. As unloaded from the trailer:

Image

Then just a little time with the paper and we are down to the original od over red primer. This is only small high spot as I don't want to remove down to metal everywhere.

Image

Working down the drivers side. This picture has the two rust spots I have located. Can you pick them out?

Image

Rear passengers wheel well:

Image
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Sun Jul 29, 2018 8:48 pm

Then after that, Saturday evening, my good friend returned from Utah with a truck full and trailer full of supporting parts. The guy who sold me the whole deal said he hopes we can get the rest on 2 more trips with truck and trailer. :shock:

Today, unloaded , sorted and reloaded for a quick trip up to the old Army Camp I have my storage at. Im going to need more space...

So a complete but disassembled WC52 is part of the spares part of the deal. But in the cab of my truck were some real fun finds. Windshield frames, NOS zenith carbs, NOS small air cleaners, top bows, new door latches dated 1944. Tailgates and winches.

Cant wait for two more loads. There will be parts available after I am done with the Command Car, Im pretty sure.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Sun Aug 05, 2018 6:08 pm

This week end I finished fitting all the body work. I want to see where the problems are before I try to assemble pieces that are all painted up. Glad I did too, found several little things that need tweaking to assure easy assembly.

Did the same with the top bows. I must say WHAT A MONSTROSITY that set up is. At least i didn't loose any fingers, although it would be easy to do. Some tweaks on the top bows to be made too. The one I haven't gotten my head around is that the two 'Bedposts" on the top of the WS frame are slightly off from the holes in the top header, but there is nothing that can be adjusted there.

Also while fitting the hood I took some time to recover the hood number, It is 20178220 with the "S" on the cowl. No USA or U S Army, no hood star.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by wc56daveyboy » Mon Aug 06, 2018 5:35 pm

Wow! The very type of project truck to get:

Little to no rust
Complete
Lots of NOS and spares
Original top bows ? (Nice)

Man, you did good as far as a project is concerned.

Body work will no doubt be very minimal.

And all those parts to choose from you can pick the very best of the best and sell off the remainder to help finance the project.

You got an engine in this hoard of parts coming?

When you do sort out all the parts there may very well be 1/2 ton stuff mixed in, parts you won't and can't use.

If u find a 1/2 ton blackout light headlight bracket I'd be interested!!

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by wc56daveyboy » Mon Aug 06, 2018 5:36 pm

BTW: is this a wc56 (non-winch) WC57 (winch) or WC58?

Or do you know yet?

Did it come with title?

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Tue Aug 07, 2018 6:32 am

As it sits it is the original body on its original 56 rolling chassis. Included in the deal are a couple of other chassis', one of which is a 57. Also several winches in the parts lots. I have not decided yet which way to go, completely original as much as can be, or swap around to make a 57 out of it. Piecing it together over the last week I ended up with the front fenders off a 52 that was also included. They are rust free and pretty straight, just several coats of paint to get off.

Image

The original fenders will require some body work as both have been hit at sometime in their lives. No title, never registered. Straight from Surplus to sitting in a yard for decades.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by wc56daveyboy » Tue Aug 07, 2018 2:29 pm

There's nothing better than a winch model of any truck.. my opinion of course.

Just "reeks" of macho military with the winch out front.

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by mdainsd » Tue Aug 07, 2018 3:22 pm

I agree with you. I haven't seen the 57 frame yet, it is due in the next shipment. Supposedly it is started through the restoration process. Its interesting that the WC-56 and -57 use different frames for winch or non-winch. M37s just use frame extensions.
52 M38 2X, '52 M37, '44 WC51, '42 WC 56/57, '50 CJ-V35(U), '42 GPW, '44 M3A1 Scout Car, 2010 M-Gator

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Re: Another project, WC 3/4t Command Car this time

Post by DAVY » Fri Aug 31, 2018 8:07 pm

Need some parts for my Command car Dave I have some questions to find out what yeah mine is 917/567-6419


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