Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

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svaasand
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Error in build card?

Post by svaasand »

Here is the build card I received for my WC57

Image

Obviously this build card describes an ambulance, body type 39 and 121" wheelbase. But it checks out with the number stamped on my WC57 frame in the correct place. I can not find any other number, or overstamped number on the frame, which is clearly not an ambulance frame...

Is it possible that the build card is in error? Has anyone else noticed any errors in build cards?
WC51/WC52/WC54/WC57/WC62 and jeep
juan15
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by juan15 »

Hola,

Nearly 300,000 units produced, only 125 we have (serie wc-51 a wc-64kd), which represents less than 0.5%.

In these B.C. are no mistakes, no errors, except one very very minor.

B.R. Juan.
Tom Wolboldt
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by Tom Wolboldt »

Hello svaasand,

All the data on this B.C. matches to each other.

Most likely your WC-57 received an incorrect stamping at the time of assembly. Do you have the body number from the firewall tag ? This may help in telling which digit is incorrect in the frame number.

Also do you have the hood number ?
juan15
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by juan15 »

Can you take a good picture of chassis number?

It is possible an error in any number ... as a 3 or 9?

Sl, Juan.

The registration number (hood number) serves no purpose
Loffy770
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by Loffy770 »

juan15 wrote:Can you take a good picture of chassis number?

It is possible an error in any number ... as a 3 or 9?

Sl, Juan.

The registration number (hood number) serves no purpose
I'm not claiming to be an expert but in TM 9-1808A page six there is a listing of hood numbers that goes with each models in production. It might not be the hard evidence you seek but if the hood number corresponds to a WC57 batch of trucks it would be circumstantial evidence in my book and for sure a hood could have been switched over the years. I say it serves the purpose of adding up clues.
Tom Wolboldt
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by Tom Wolboldt »

Hi Loffy770,
I say it serves the purpose of adding up clues.
Gathering clues was my reason for asking. Once you have the clue you can decide if it is of any value.

Having no clues only leaves you in the dark.

A photo of the frame stamping was also a good request. Thanks Juan!
Loffy770
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by Loffy770 »

That was my point :)
juan15
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by juan15 »

I do not pretend to speak as a teacher, because I'm not, okay?.

We must use the chassis number, and then the build car. Currently it is the only way to know the exact correspondence between the chassis and model. And it's not 100% sure.

Everything else is secondary tracks that may have been handled in these 70 years.

If you believe that I speak as a doctor, I really apologize to you.

I have seen many handling errors, and so for now, the only way is the manufacturing record, build car, for the correct model.

Sl Juan
svaasand
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by svaasand »

Here is a couple of photos of the frame number, 81631876. Difficult to get a good photo, but all numbers are quite clear, and no digit can be mistaken:
Image
Image
Here is a photo of the body number,4219-15640:

Image

I don't have the hood number. I haven't sanded the hood down yet, so I might still find it if I am lucky.

I have looked through the build card database, and there is a command car which is close,
serial 81631567, body number 15500, date mar 15 1943
WC51/WC52/WC54/WC57/WC62 and jeep
Tom Wolboldt
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by Tom Wolboldt »

Hi svaasand,

Looking at my WW2 T214 database / spreadsheet your numbers fall into the Tuesday March 16, '43 window of production. I believe your frame was miss-stamped and most likely it should have been either 81631875 or 81631877. I would almost bet a search of these two serial number's Build Cards will turn up the body number that you have on your WC-57 body.

You remarked that S.N. 81631567 with body number 15500 and date of Mar. 15, 43 was close by number wise. This vehicle was a WC-56.

I would put your original motor number in about the T214-101xxx range.
juan15
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by juan15 »

Hola,

The plate body indicates a WC-56 or WC-57 model.

There are two variants:

A: The chassis number is wrong. This is serious. These numbers are not normally used and I wonder number 1 ... why the two numbers ( 1 ) are different?.

We need two things:
1.- Measure the wheelbase.:
WC-54 = 121 "(307.34 cm)
WC-57 = 98 "(248.92 cm)

2.- Check chassis type:
WC-54 = 922021
WC-57 = 922825

B: The chassis number is correct. The vehicle chassis is WC-54. Have they done a restore as WC-57 model?. A special restoration?.

We need the same things as in the previous case.

I think the most important to solve this mystery, for now, is to know the wheelbase and know the type of chassis.

If the wheelbase is confirmed, we will know if is WC-54 or WC-57.

And then you look at the chassis type.

Sl, Juan.
juan15
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by juan15 »

There is another possibility that we should study.

In some cases it is the same chassis number, punching and diagonally below the number we see.

You try to find out if this happens. You have to remove the paint and perhaps is the same number or not.

But most important is to measure the wheelbase.

Sl, Juan.
juan15
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by juan15 »

Image

Image
Tom Wolboldt
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by Tom Wolboldt »

Hi svaasand,

Juan makes a good point in that the frame stamping that you posted is not in the factory style or font so the frame may have two different numbers with one still covered with paint.
juan15
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Re: Build Card Thread ( Sticky )

Post by juan15 »

Type chassis…

Left side of chassis

Image
Image
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