Dodge WC57 Command Car Project

[zepher11]

Hello Zeph !!

WoW !!!
What a great update,
That is the best display of a Military Vehicle that I have ever seen !!
The Flags, wow ~!!!
Where did you get an original flag that big ?
A great contrast with the antenna flag too, it recalls the Iwo Jima Flag raising with that angle of the antenna.
Absolutely beautiful !!
I think you have the theme down for next years America's 250th Birthday Celebration .
Your photos should win an award !!
This is Smithsonian level display quality, actually way better !

You should work in advertising for Dodge or GMC !!
That reminds me a WW2 Life Magazine spread, well done, super awesome !!

I am glad you are doing well, sounds like the surgery was a little more than minor, take it easy, especially in that western heat !
The canvas works sound great,it is a lost art, and we do need more capable people in that industry.

The Command Car frame came out perfect, a nice clean base to build upon, I will be looking forward to your updates !
I am slowly working on my CC, and the 2 jeeps, and now a WC-51, so many things to do, sometimes I fell like I am standing still, even though I am working hard at it .


Keep up your good works, and keep us posted, and good luck on the VC-1 fenders, that project must be so close to being finished !

Yesterday, VE Day, I attended a beautiful ceremony in south west Florida for my Dad's WW2 Army buddy, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal for fighting in France during WW2.
He had a great time, well over 100 people there at the Elks Lodge, and a French General and his staff, along with the Consul General awarded the Medal.
The French were great, as well as a USMC General, and US Army Officers, and many Vietnam Veterans were there so it was beautiful.
The sheriff escorts came in with blue lights and sirens blazing when he arrived.

Every WW2 Veteran that is still around is eligible for the medal.

John is doing good, but had a bad hip for 14 years, now his good hip is bad, but that is his only issue, at 106 years old !


Best Regards,
Ray

Hi Ray. Well, I'd love to take credit for the large US flag in the background of my display. However, it is a fixture at the convention center. The organizer that it would be a great backdrop. I was thinking it really make everything look small as it is one big beautiful enormous flag!

Thank you for the kind comments on the display. Kind of a last minute decision to put one together. Happy I did. Had a lot of nice comments about it. A little different than the standard vehicle display.

No VE Day events around here, but what a milestone. 80 years! What a generation!

Wow...106 years old. Now that is amazing. I'd probably have every joint replaced if I ever made it that far in life. Good for him!

Take it easy, and I'll have some updates soon.

[chibobber]

John, Good to see you back. Great update. Stay safe. I think the item for the top seam is called "plygrip".Check furniture upholstery supply places.
Bob

[70th Division]

Hello Zeph !!

WoW !!!
What a great update,
That is the best display of a Military Vehicle that I have ever seen !!
The Flags, wow ~!!!
Where did you get an original flag that big ?
A great contrast with the antenna flag too, it recalls the Iwo Jima Flag raising with that angle of the antenna.
Absolutely beautiful !!
I think you have the theme down for next years America's 250th Birthday Celebration .
Your photos should win an award !!
This is Smithsonian level display quality, actually way better !

You should work in advertising for Dodge or GMC !!
That reminds me a WW2 Life Magazine spread, well done, super awesome !!

I am glad you are doing well, sounds like the surgery was a little more than minor, take it easy, especially in that western heat !
The canvas works sound great,it is a lost art, and we do need more capable people in that industry.

The Command Car frame came out perfect, a nice clean base to build upon, I will be looking forward to your updates !
I am slowly working on my CC, and the 2 jeeps, and now a WC-51, so many things to do, sometimes I fell like I am standing still, even though I am working hard at it .


Keep up your good works, and keep us posted, and good luck on the VC-1 fenders, that project must be so close to being finished !

Yesterday, VE Day, I attended a beautiful ceremony in south west Florida for my Dad's WW2 Army buddy, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal for fighting in France during WW2.
He had a great time, well over 100 people there at the Elks Lodge, and a French General and his staff, along with the Consul General awarded the Medal.
The French were great, as well as a USMC General, and US Army Officers, and many Vietnam Veterans were there so it was beautiful.
The sheriff escorts came in with blue lights and sirens blazing when he arrived.

Every WW2 Veteran that is still around is eligible for the medal.

John is doing good, but had a bad hip for 14 years, now his good hip is bad, but that is his only issue, at 106 years old !


Best Regards,
Ray

Hi Ray. Well, I'd love to take credit for the large US flag in the background of my display. However, it is a fixture at the convention center. The organizer that it would be a great backdrop. I was thinking it really make everything look small as it is one big beautiful enormous flag!

Thank you for the kind comments on the display. Kind of a last minute decision to put one together. Happy I did. Had a lot of nice comments about it. A little different than the standard vehicle display.

No VE Day events around here, but what a milestone. 80 years! What a generation!

Wow...106 years old. Now that is amazing. I'd probably have every joint replaced if I ever made it that far in life. Good for him!

Take it easy, and I'll have some updates soon.

Hello Zeph,

It was a great display !!
Well done !

I will be looking forward to your updates !!
As Chibobber mentioned the Ply Grip material, if that is what you are looking for, here is a video on using it, plenty on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvM5KLnCj_w

https://rochfordsupply.com/products/cus ... gK-HvD_BwE

That top is intriguing !

Best Regards,
Ray

[zepher11]

Thanks Bob and Ray. I searched a bit on the convertible top seam cover. Took me a while, but came up with Hydem, Hidem, or Wire-On Welting.

It's a strip that has a small like domed piece of foam in it to make the bead or welt after that side is folded over. It's tacked on over the rear bow where the two piece canvas top comes together. Has really thin micro wire in it. Hence, I guess, why it's called wire-on.

I doubt one can find it in OD7 canvas. I have some OD7 wire on. I'll try and dig it out tomorrow and get some better photos.

Here's a link to some black wire-on. One can zoom in and see the micro metal wire in one of the photos:

https://www.albrightssupply.com/convert ... t-convwirb

Here's a video as well I found of a guy talking about it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qumpDeXOEUE

My mind is now trying to figure out how to make my own. Maybe sew canvas over the black wire-on above? However, I do recall it's a much thinner canvas than the seat and top canvas I use, so probably look odd if too thick.

On to more searches to find just the "Wire-On" guts...

EDIT:

Found this thread. Has some good photos of the wire-on. Even a photo of the guts. Can't find where one can buy the guts with the foam and wire already attached:

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/295701-cu ... -so-forth/

[zepher11]

I have two rolls of the Wire-On Welting in OD7. No idea where this came from.

The canvas is sliver thin, and one can see the wire:



This is what it looks like folded over/pinched together. Pretty ingenious:



Sure wish I could find a source for the canvas OD7 Wire-On.

[70th Division]

I have two rolls of the Wire-On Welting in OD7. No idea where this came from.

The canvas is sliver thin, and one can see the wire:



This is what it looks like folded over/pinched together. Pretty ingenious:



Sure wish I could find a source for the canvas OD7 Wire-On.

Hello Zeph,

Is that something that Beachwood Canvas might have available for sale ?
Someone must have it, and or makes it.
They do make Command Car tops, and likely the only ones that do, since the company in England closed due to retirement of the owners.


Maybe WeeBee would know where to find it ?


Best Regards,
Ray

[chibobber]

John, Hope this finds you well. It has been awhile since you have posted. I'm sure others and myself would like an update. Happy New Year, be safe.

[zepher11]

John, Hope this finds you well. It has been awhile since you have posted. I'm sure others and myself would like an update. Happy New Year, be safe.

Hey Bob,

All is well. Happy New Year!

Well, was stuck in the Dallas area for three days last week trying to fly home. Ice storm of sorts. Weird. Like a ghost town there. I drove around everywhere, but no one else out and everything closed. Nice to be back where our weather is basically nice year round.

I did pick up more of my WC57 and WC22 projects after they were blasted and epoxy primed just before we left. Still need to figure out how to get the body and frame out of my enclosed trailer by myself. Took four of us to load everything when I picked it up.





Also had set up kind of a early war Signal Corp radio display in the local museum for Vet's Day and over the holidays. Need to go collect all that tomorrow or so:





Had ChatGPT write up an full page on early war implementation of radios. Took like 3 seconds and it came up with the title. Where was that when I was working!

Still doing my thing, but slow. Been spending a lot of time sewing different items. I'm still threatening to work on the VC1. I figure since we have the next 10 days in the 70's I should see if I can work on those Volkswagen Bug sized fenders! Keep dreading those. I'll take flat fenders anytime! lol

Also, this post reminded me why I don't post here very often any longer. Took me like a half hour to load photos and make it happen. Other sites. Mere seconds. I do like the historical aspects that this forum has though, so it good to come here too.

[chibobber]

John thanks for the update. Thanks for taking the time. Be safe.
Bob

[zepher11]

John thanks for the update. Thanks for taking the time. Be safe.
Bob

Hey Bob,

I did it! Fired up the VC1 today and drove it to the front shop. It last ran on Dec. 18, 2024. I was happy it started up. Brakes though, like all my other trucks when they sit for a few months, went to the floor. I just can keep fluid in the brakes. No idea where it goes. It doesn't leak out, but bone dry all the time if they sit. Maybe it's a California thing. Most things that used to work here do not any longer. Tape, glue, paint, fuel... I think it's because the good stuff has been banned here. Now I can add brake fluid to the list.

[chibobber]

Well it is always an adventure. No political comment, I live in Illinois.

[zepher11]

Well it is always an adventure. No political comment, I live in Illinois.

I totally get it. Not many I can talk to locally now. Most of my friends, and a lot of family, have left Calunicornia. Thankfully, I have my trucks. For now... I just like that our weather is nice basically all the time. I can't function in the cold... Have a great week!

It's a slippery slope here. Saw this in the DMV recently:

[chibobber]

Sometimes I am glad I am as old as I am. People say they worry about their grand children, I say you can not miss what you do not know. We have our time,they have theirs.

[zepher11]

Sometimes I am glad I am as old as I am. People say they worry about their grand children, I say you can not miss what you do not know. We have our time,they have theirs.

I'm with you Bob. If they just let me do my thing until I slip into permanent retirement, then they can ban everything so everyone can sit on their mom's couch and surf their phones looking at AI generated cat videos. Can't get better than that!

[chibobber]

As far as doing your thing, I gave up motorcycle riding a couple of years ago. Sold all my bikes and gear. Surrounded by crazies and full of blood thinners(73 yoa) , I would not last if I went down. A buddy offers me a project, a 1971 BSA A65 motorcycle. To quote the Godfather, " I was out,then you pulled me back in" ( or something like that). I have built numerous Harleys, customs and restorations. It has always been about the journey and not the destination. So I guess what i"m trying to say is, do I have one journey left in me. I'm at the rolling chassis stage and the motor is rebuilt. So come spring, onward and upward.