1942 half ton

[28Ca8149]

I have a half ton that was built during the war 1942 .How may half tons were made during the war? Were they only sold to the army and Government ?

[Barry-ct]

They built 1942 cars and trucks for the civilian market for a short time that year. I want to say it was before Feb-Mar. of that year, but I could be wrong on the date. After that date, production switched to mostly producing stuff for the war effort. The army did get some pickups and larger to use here in the states, on bases. These trucks usually had a data plate with the I.D. number, contract numbers and date of issue of that contract. It was either on the glove box door or centered on the inside of the firewall. If you sa nd down the paint, you may find either olive drab (army ) or grey (navy ) on the truck. You might find registration numbers on the side of the hood. Could also find lettering on the door, especially if Navy issue. Most likely your truck was civilian built before the cutoff.

[D. Jones]

As I understand based on a Ford parts manual printed in about 1953, Ford quit making cars and trucks in February of 1942 then resumed making long wheel base trucks i.e. big trucks in 1943 and 1944 then in 1945 they resumed making some commercials i.e. 1/2 ton pickups plus the long wheel base ones. They didn't make cars again until 1946.

[Ianrhall]

Mine has 44 on the title but haven't been able to confirm using the frame number

[mhsprecher]

I have a 45 that supposedly was one of the first built once they resumed production. The owner's manual, which may not be original to the truck, has a May 1945 date on it.

[Mike B]

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Originally Posted by Ianrhall

Mine has 44 on the title but haven't been able to confirm using the frame number

What is the frame number?

Chris's old truck I think?

[Barry-ct]

To get a car or truck from Feb 42 thru 1945, you had to get special permission from authorities and have a special need such a Doctor or a farmer involved in war production vital to the war effort. Hard to get from what I understand.

[rosenkranswa]

We have a 1942 Tudor which based on the serial and other information was built on or about Dec 31, 1941. My understanding is that Dec 31st was the last day of regular production, but Ford continued to produce cars and trucks on a limited basis until Feb. 10 when all production shifted to war materials. Cars and Trucks built in the last weeks were embargoed to dealer stocks reserved for Docs, nurses, and other special needs.

We have our car finished as an ARC Motor Corps vehicle which was one of the "special needs" and was eligible for C ration gas stickers. Ford built wagons for the Motor Corps through the Feb. date which were painted OD.

Just discovered yesterday that Ford built the pulse jet engines for our version of the V1 buzz bomb, called the Loon, just after the end of the war.

[Mike/Franklin]

Our family vehicle when I was a kid was a 42 Ford PU that my dad bought in 46. Came from Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P). Had heavier rear springs he was told to be able to carry a couple of transformers. He bought from a mid level executive at CL&P. This fellow got them at a discount and then resold in the post was market when vehicles were scarce. I have the paperwork somewhere in my files. Price for a well worn truck in 1946? $695.00. The exec probably had a nice payday. I think that was close to the cost new. Was our daily transportation till I was about 5 in 1954.

Lots of adventures in that truck.

CL&P was obviously an essential user being a public utility.

Construction guys when I was a kid ML used to call them Carry, Lug and Push (CL&P) HA HA

[1952henry]

From my understanding the 42s were devoid of bright trim., ie painted.

[scooder]

Originally Posted by 1952henry

From my understanding the 42s were devoid of bright trim., ie painted.

Nah, it's the other way. 42's had stainless head light rims and park light rims. Chrome Ford script on each side of the hood and stainless or chrome exterior door handles. This shiny stuff was omitted and swapped with painted stuff on later pickups. The shiny hood scripts were dropped and the later hood had pressed in script, no seperate script.
Martin.

[rosenkranswa]

The '42 model year started in October '41. I believe the cars built up to the end of December were finished with the usual bright trim, but that was replaced with the non-strategic materials after that. Pretty much held true for all of the auto manufacturers at that time.

[scooder]

So that makes my 42 built in 41? I'm fairly sure the shiny stuff lasted into 42, I'd be surprised if it didn't.
Martin.