Description: Pair of 1942 Dodge WC53 Carryalls. This vehicle was originally designed for carrying a set of radios used at various levels for communication in an infantry division or similar sized unit. By the time the vehicle was in production, the radios it had been designed to carry weighed only a fraction of their original weight, so a specialized vehicle was not needed. Some having deployed early with US units to England, the enclosed body proved useful and it was seen as a crew bus on Army Air Force bases. The enclosed body also lent itself well to colder climates, and numerous WC53's were used in the construction of the Alaskan-Canadian highway. Another interesting footnote in the Carryall's history is that a small detachment of them were used at Trinity, the site of the birth of the Atomic Bomb, possibly as dust-free carriers of bomb components.
For Further Information: Try the Dodge Power Wagon Forum
http://www.dodgepowerwagon.com
and the excellent WWII Dodge Forum http://disc.server.com/Indices/118969.html
Project Notes: There are two nearly complete vehicles in this collection. It would not be very difficult to get the first one of these onto the road in a short time- both of these trucks were runners and parked for restoration in 1995 or 1996 by the old owner before I bought them in 1997. He drove them to where they sat, garaged, when I purchased them, and they have been garaged (mostly) since I purchased them. I am out of space with the expansion of my aviation restoration shop, and these have to regretfully go. I will entertain interesting trades for these and will consider selling them separately. I am interested in WWII aircraft parts and pieces and complete or incomplete projects of same. Here are the general descriptions.
Carryall 1- assembled but with front clip removed to work on engine, and brand new rebuilt engine (post WWII). It is in original condition from its use after WWII by forestry service. Some body rot over the rear quarter panels, but nothing a good body person or shop couldn't restore. All body parts are present with the exception of the antenna base specific to Carryalls. That includes all seats, seat frames, and other items.
Carryall 2- disassembled for restoration, with complete new front floor which I had manufactured and welded in myself- very nice job if I say so myself. Includes core post -WWII engine which turns, but NOS T214 engine in cradle is included in the package. This one is missing the jump seat, one rear seat, and spare tire carrier.
I have purchased many extra parts, including a precision wiring harness, extra headlights, fenders, tires, brakes, and fuel and brake lines- some NOS, some reproduction. There is enough there to finish one complete carryall, and have a second project going at the same time. The rebuilt motor in the first one runs like a top.
Contact me at 443-250-9037 if you have any questions about these vehicles.
