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August 2008, The search for a Dodge has started.
I owned an ex-Norwegean Dodge WC-51 a while ago. I was more or less forced to sell it with pain in my heart, due to some situations. I promissed myself to buy another Dodge as soon as the time was right. August 2008 the time was right and I went straight to the internet in search for a 'new' Dodge. Confronted with pretty high prices for a complete and running truck, I decided to look for a project truck. I looked in every corner of the internet, but nothing that I really liked(and fitted the budget).
My WC-51 Ex-Norwegean in great shape after restoring her.
 
September 2008, A Dodge was found in France.
As every WW2 Vehicle enthousiast knows, a lot of material was put ashore during or the days/weeks after D-Day 1944 in Normandy/France. A huge number of vehicles were left behind to rebuild the country, including all sorts of Dodges. So the search was aimed at France as there should be vehicles available. And yes there were. Dodges made up of several others. But I wanted something as original as possible. A couple of days later I found one on a website specially for trading farming equipment. Looking through the hundereds of add's, I found a Dodge WC-54 Ambulance modified as a truck to drill holes for wells etc. The rear end of the body was cut-off to make room for drills, a compressor and all kinds of drill-supports. But the rest of the truck seemed original. Chassis, (what's left of the) body, engine all very original. My neighbour from accross the street helped me to contact the French-only-speaking owner. The deal was made over the phone in minutes. I had to have this truck... He told us the Dodge was in running condition and we could even drive it home after a minor repair to the clutch. I decided to have a company transport the Dodge home for me.
My WC-54 as it arrived from France early oktober 2008
 
Oktober 2008, the search for missing parts begins...
First thing to focus on was the missing rear body. Again the internet was the pool of information to gather contacts of parts suppliers from. I wrote several e-mails to these suppliers but unfortunatly only one was able to help me with a pretty rough example (and a late body type) for way to much money.
The body of this (almost completly rusted) WC-54 - Late model - Was for sale.
But that didn't stop me and the answer to my search came all the way from Sweden. After dropping a couple of topics on a WW2 Dodge forum (see links) I got in contact with a guy that knew about a Dodge WC-54 (with early body) at a local scrapyard. It had been in a accident and was about to be scrapped. He contacted the owner for me (my Swedish is as good as my French...) and after a couple of e-mails I received pictures of the donor car and fell in love that instance. It was all I needed and even more. He arranged that the Dodge was reserved for me and a couple of weeks later it arrived home. I was the happiest man on earth...
The donor WC-54 as it arrived from Sweden. WW2 Strechers included!
 
January 2009, the search for missing parts continues...
The outer window frame of the French Dodge was rotten all the way through. It was merged with the body using about 2 kilos of bondo, tape and some rubber-alike-stuff to keep (most of) the rain out. It fell apart leaving nothing but a bucket of rust and parts that used to be a windscreen, while dismanteling the French body. As this is a 'hard-to-find' part, I started looking for it right away, although it wasn't needed for months. By contacting local suppliers, I was informed about trading prices. I needed several moments to get over that. (the first price I heard was higher than the amount of money I payed for the complete truck to begin with).
So the search continued. After some calls to WW2 vehicle enthausiasts in Belgium I was told about a guy that owned a WC-54 a while ago and he might have some parts. Contacting him made me a happy man again. So I drove to Belgium and found my outer windscreen frame between a huge collection of great vehicles (including some (!) Dodge Command-Cars (WC-57/58) and a fast collection of parts. All vehicles had it's own unique story. A fair price was payed and I took my 'new' windscreen home.
Only needs a little TLC...
July 2009, Found correct front Doors.
While looking though loads of pictures on the internet showing WC-54 Ambulances during WW2 I noticed a big difference in those vehicles and my French Dodge. All WC-54's show doors that have little windows that can be used for ventilation and one 'slide' window. All I had were doors that only hold one big window. Looking through a book about Dodges during WW2 I found a 'closed-cab' Dodge that has one window only. Surprised to find that I do not have Ambulance doors but Carry-All doors (WC-53) I posted an add on a local site. A couple of days later I received a phone call from a guy in search of Carry-All doors. We traded these doors, and it looks like the basic parts to complete a very nice WC-54 are all present.
My doors Correct doors
 
July 11th, 2009, Cleaning the doors.
A full litre of paint stripper was needed to get one side of the one door clean. Layer by layer the paint came loose. Nice little detail was found. My doors were on van number 54 on a WC-54 that was in service in Texas at the Red River Arsenal site as found under the third layer of paint. Take a look...
Before paint stripper... RED RIVER ARSENAL
TEXAS VAN 54
The main gate, 1941
July 12th 2009, One door down, one to go...
As the paint on the doors was in a terrible state i had to get it all off. Took me a day just for one door, but it looks great...
Just one little dent... First coat of primer...
  
Left door parts.
September 26th, Picked up where I left off...
Progress is slow due to work being busy and uses up most of my spare time. But i got a couple of hours
for the Dodge today and started cleaning. Started with a Model 29 by Zenith.
Before.... After...
 
Oktober 5th, refurbished parts...
I've been busy last weekend cleaning most of the engine parts. Check out this gallery for detailed pictures of the progress.
A very nice rebuild Generator.
December 2009 - Januari 2010...
Work hes been like crazy lately so there was not much time to spend okn the Dodge. I took some time off during the holiday season and focussed on the Dodge. I needed to repaint the chassis and the gaol was to bring the engine back to life.
Painted Chassis
Januari 9th, 2010...
The moment of truth. Time to start my engine. Here is the result...
Februari 3rd, 2010
The first drive after gearbox, transfercase and propshaft rebuild. Another great moment...
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