I saw a few ¾ ton Carryalls in Norway in the early ‘90s and decided to get one. This one had come over to England to be restored but the owner had gone on to something more interesting. I bought it as a driving machine and got it delivered as it was cheaper than uplifting it.

An initial assessment showed that it was quite reasonable mechanically, as a rebuilt engine had just been fitted, albeit with a noticeable sump oil leak which turned out to be because the rebuilder hadn’t replaced the two ‘h’ gaskets in the rear main bearing cap.

Practically all the body and mounted equipment needed a lot of work. There was so much paint on it I had to get the whole truck blasted, then just repair what metal was missing – mostly in the rear quarters, and re-skin the tailgate. Other adventures included a new Oak floor (from John Kerr) and replacing the fibre roof panel, which only took a couple of hours once I’d taken off the Norwegian metal lid and welded up the 200+ screw and rivet holes.

I learned how to rebuild all the window winder mechanisms and replace all the glass, and fitted a new wiring loom.

As of today it runs well, but the tappets have bedded in and really need re-adjusting. I suspect the rear differential is slightly noisier than it should be and could do with replacing, so I’m on the lookout for a good spare unit. I’ve painted it up in late ’42 USAAF insignia to match the WC 56, but there is no known history and the census number is just one picked at random from the correct batch for that chassis number.

 

It is currently with Steve Rivers in Newbury, Berkshire, to get the differential replaced, tappets adjusted, and generally tinkered with to get it into full roadworthy order.

 

Back to Gordon's vehicle pages