It used to be that in Europe you could buy WC or GMC trucks that had been
extensively used after the war and then surplussed by the various armies.
The UK got rid of it's ex-US vehicles years ago to help promote the native
truck industry, and the largest quantities available seemed to be
ex-French or ex-Swiss army. Typically these trucks would have been
maintained and rebuilt with French copied instruments, or Swiss bodies,
etc, etc, so a lot of the originality was gone, and the aftermarket parts
were, frankly, junk.
All this changed when the Norwegian stuff arrived. I was working in
Norway in 87- 89 and the stuff was used on a major exercise then, very
impressive to see it all working. Ex-Norway Dodge and GMC vehicles have
been owned by the Norwegian army since the late 1940s, maintained and
rebuilt using a huge pile of original spares (most spares seemed to have
been shipped from the Rock Island Arsenal 48 to 52) and seemed to have
spent most of their lives inside in the warmth and dry. More recently the
Norwegians were using reproduced material like seat cushions, bearings,
etc, but even that seems to be reasonable quality stuff. I also picked
up some WC 53 Carryall tailgate lock mechanisms and liftgate locks which
had clearly been reproduced too - very usable stuff.
Differences ? well most have Norwegian dash plates, Norwegian tyres, turn
signals and the like. Most GMCs have 'real' canvas but the Dodges seemed
to get the green plastic stuff. There was also a movement towards
silicon brake fluid. I wont comment on the price you may have to pay, but
most of the people I know with ex-Norway stuff are delighted with it. A
friend has two GMCs, both 1945, with all the original features and bits,
some of the most original equipment I have ever seen, and not too
expensive. On the other side of the coin you can also find early GMCs
with the civilian instruments.
If you are lucky enough to have any friends over there consider buying
direct from someone in Norway, or one of the Dutch / Belgian dealers that
have some left, you may still be cheaper than buying locally. if you are
in the warmer parts of the US then a Weapons Carrier will be fine, but I'd
recomend a hard cab Ambulance if you live somewhere cold.
Gordon.
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