Dodge WC21 1/2 ton weapons carrier

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The World War II Dodge WC series of light military trucks was based on their range of pre-war civilian commercials and was available in a bewildering array of 4x4 ½ and ¾ ton formats.

They were built to fulfil a huge range of duties from ambulances, mobile workshops and weapons carriers, to signals trucks and reconnaissance command cars. In ½ ton WC21 form as offered here, a robust six-cylinder 3,772cc engine that produced 99bhp was used and drove through a basic four-speed gearbox to the four-wheel drive system. Performing in every theatre of World War II, these tough trucks rank alongside the iconic Jeep in the affections of those that they served.

This Dodge WC21 weapons carrier was delivered to the US military on 15th December 1941, just one week after the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. Dodge made around 14,000 of these open top general weapons carriers before upgrading them in 1942 with a similar but slightly longer, more versatile model. Their service early in the war meant that survivors are relatively few.

The early history of this vehicle is unclear, but it wasn’t demobbed until 1963 so we assume that it was in the military until then. Some WC21s were used in Korea, and even as late as the Vietnam War, so it may have had a distinguished combat record – we just don’t know.

US title documents show that the Dodge was purchased by a John Hastings in January 1965 and that he owned it until his death in 2011 at the age of 84. Hastings had served in the US Navy during World War II and had enjoyed a colourful civilian life working in the oil industry in Texas and as a farmer in California. He had farmed in Santa Cruz for 54 years, which could well account for the Dodge’s remarkably rust-free original condition.

Maintenance must have been a priority too, judging by the amount of grease that has been applied to the exposed underside of the chassis, and the truck still retains its original T215 engine along with all its data plates. Details like the oil can surviving on the bulkhead would also indicate that it has perhaps not had a hard life. According to the most recent tag on its US license plate, it was last used on the road during May 1977, and apart from being painted red at some time in its life, is in very original and unmolested condition.

It was acquired by a UK military vehicle dealer specialising in importing equipment from the US. He sold it to the vendor in January 2014 at which point the engine was immediately serviced with new oil, filters, plugs, points and a new fuel pump fitted. Run briefly, it was driven a short distance before being drained down and put back into storage where it has remained these last two years. When carrying out the recommissioning work, the original jack and some of the original tools were found hiding in their place underneath the passenger seat. A parts list and maintenance manual are also included.

Now road registered in the UK, we are advised that its new owner will need to run through the usual checks before firing up the vehicle once more. Untouched examples of wartime vehicles are highly prized and rare models such as this early short-wheelbase Dodge WC21 represent a tantalising opportunity to the serious collector of original World War II artefacts.