1942 Dodge WC-57 Command Car

Not too much is known about the wartime exploits of our WC-57. What we do know is that the truck was manufactured in Detroit in 1942, the year that the USA became directly involved in the Second World War. The truck was produced as a WC-57 Command Car with winch and bearing the build number 18295 and chassis number 81547295. From here we can only assume that the Dodge was subsequently shipped out to an American theatre of operations, most likely Europe.

We have no way of knowing if the WC-57’s stencilled bumper nomenclature is based on the vehicle’s actual history, of course, but it certainly gives us a steer in terms of the specification the car presents in today. The “3A” signifies the vehicle was attached to the US Third Army. The “6C” is suggestive the 6th Cavalry which was part of the Third Army. The A-4 just suggests that it was vehicle number 4 of A Company. The Third Army connection would tally with this vehicle’s suggested D-Day connection, of course. The Third Army went on to fight during the Battle of Normandy, and the subsequent Northwest Europe Campaign, including the crossing of the Rhine, Battle of the Bulge, and the ultimate advance into Western Germany. The rank board bearing the three stars remains an enigma. It may be in homage to General Patton’s WC-57 which bore an identical one, but centrally mounted. The only other option is that it once carried another three-star general which, given the dates and geography, likely narrows it down to either Lt. Gen. Walter Krueger or Lt. Gen. Courtney Hodges. This all remains pure conjecture, of course, but interesting none the less.

Today, this example is in private ownership and registered and located in Belgium. The WC-57 seems to have been in this ownership since 2011 and acquired an LPG system during this period.

Our example hails from the post-1941 upgrade of the Dodge light truck range when all subsequent models underwent upgrades to a ¾ ton capacity. This entailed a widening and, strangely, shortening of the trucks to give the beefy, square look that gave rise to the “Beep” nickname. This transformation is patently evident in the tough looking, chunky demeanour of this WC-57.

The WC-57 is finished in the prerequisite Olive Drab paintwork favoured in the European theatre of war. This example presents in full staff car configuration with some high-ranking passengers in mind. This is evidenced by the twin, wing mounted sirens, red wing marker light and pole mounted orange visibility light. These are joined by the three-star designation board, indicating the presence of a Lieutenant General, and flag mast topped with a Stars and Stripes. Further period details include the stencilled bumper and bonnet identifiers, ball topped width markers and D-Day commemorative license plates. The generous running boards provide a home to an auxiliary jerry can on one side, a tool trunk, vintage Pyrene fire extinguisher and a second jerry can on the other. The rear of the WC-57 is complete with a set of mounted pioneer tools in the dedicated recess. These comprise of a shovel, axe and pickaxe. Numerous other D-D Commemorative plates are noted.

Importantly for the WC-57 the heavy-duty Braden MU2, 7,500Ib winch can be seen, integrally housed behind the big front bumper. It is this winch that differentiates the WC-57 from its winch-less and more common WC-56 sibling. Open tow hooks are present both front and rear.

The big steel wheels are shod with a recent looking set of off-road tyres and the front wheels are fitted with locking hubs to minimise mechanical wear and tear in two-wheel drive use. A spare wheel and tyre are mounted on the running board on the driver’s side. The heavy canvas hood looks to be in a good order with no holes or tears pictured. This is of a “phaeton” type where the rear quarter section can be dropped independently from the rest of the hood.

The interior presents in an excellent condition and looks to have been refurbished and restored at some point in its history. The accommodation is by way of two, full-width, vinyl covered bench seats. These appear to be appropriately hard wearing and in excellent condition, front and back. The wide benches, theoretically, offer seating for up to six occupants, although three-star generals may demand to have the rear bench to themselves.

The period-look dashboard is finished in body-coloured Drab Olive paintwork and is randomly populated with gauges and switches. Some gauges appear to have been replaced more recently judging by the French labelling of some and the VDO speedometer calibrated in kilometres. A number of instruction and information plates are fitted which are thought to be a mix of original and re-manufactured items.

A range of control levers are located in the centre of the front footwell. These include the gear lever, transfer box lever, fly off handbrake and winch control. The floors are finished in heavy duty rubber matting in the front and rugged coir matting in the rear. The fold out wooden map table can just be seen mounted on the rear of the front seats for full Command car duties. A generously sized boot with chain mounted lid acting as a makeshift table is part of the WC-57 specification.

The WC-57 was fitted with the rugged and torquey, T214 six-cylinder engine with a 230.2 cubic inch capacity (3,722cc). This L-head unit was tuned for abundant torque over outright horsepower which is very much what is required for four-wheel drive, go-anywhere vehicles of this nature. This unit was originally rated at 180Ib-ft of torque from a mere 1,200rpm, basically just above tick-over. Power was thought to top out at around 90bhp gross. This set up endowed the WC-57 with a 54mph top speed and an operational range of around 240 miles.

Power was delivered via a four-speed manual gearbox and a single range transfer box provided part-time four-wheel drive, as and when required. The underpinnings of the WC-57 are ideal all-condition specification with leaf springs working with live beam axles. Brakes are hydraulically powered for optimum performance and retardation.

It appears from the accompanying paperwork that a Lovato mixer type LPG system was professionally fitted and certified in December 2015. This should aid the economy and general useability of the WC-57.

There is plenty of accompanying paperwork with the Dodge. First and foremost, this includes the Belgian Certificat D’Immatriculation registration document. This suggests a last registration date, or change of owner, in 2011.

There is a certificate detailing the specification of the LPG system fitted and a breakdown of the Dodge’s chassis number from an online historic dodge register. In addition to this there is a mix of miscellaneous paperwork much of which seems to refer to music played during D-Day commemorative events that the Dodge has previously attended.

Whilst Dodge’s WC Series of trucks were produced in huge numbers to support the war effort, the WC-57 model was always a relatively low volume model with a handful over 6,000 originally produced. These Command cars were destined either for reconnaissance duties or issued as transportation of senior officers, usually of Colonel rank or higher. Due to this, the WC-57 features a surprisingly civilised cabin with roomy bench seats, map table and the like. Given this was a vehicle that served in active theatres of war, and the fact that it is 81 years old, only around 150 are thought to remain worldwide. Given this increasing scarcity, these Command cars remain in high demand with collectors, re-enactors and military vehicle enthusiasts alike.

This example presents very well indeed and is awash with period detail and interest. It has clearly, proudly been part of commemorations of the D-Day landings giving it the opportunity to enjoyed and admired by many. Whilst its military record remains opaque it presents today in full three-star-general trim together with the requisite lights, sirens and rank board. What ever its history it walks the line between originality and useability rather well. Its LPG conversion will certainly help keep running costs sensible and encourage the next owner to use, enjoy and display this lovely WWII veteran.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Brugge, Belgium. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.