Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Nov. 18, 1941 - MB100001 thru Mar. 6, 1942 - MB125809 NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by scubagavin » Sat Dec 02, 2017 8:43 am

Good Day all,

So i have recently acquired a Canadian Slat Number 118916. I am looking for some advice and direction on the rebuild; Authentic vs running and final value vs cost to build.

Now I have completely rebuilt x 2 M38 Cdns; x 2 L134 engines and T90 transmissions and I have all the required equipment at hand for such a task to build the slatty.

The dilemma I have is this. The Tub/grill/fenders etc; are all original and in decent shape. some patch panels required but nothing unusual. The dash plates are there and match the ownership 100%

The problem is the frame was gone/ original engine was gone, axles are there along with the springs/ steering and x 3 solid wheels. I know it does not sound like much but it is a Slat and it deserves more.

Since getting these I have acquired slat engine MB 118629; Now Since mine is a Slat Cdn; I know that the engine that it was delivered with was MB 119844. So the engine is will not be original to my slat but int eh correct range. It is also a Canadian REME rebuilt engine from the tag on it, so you could say the engine is period / cdn and may well have ended up in my Slat. i have also found a correct head (not on the engine but will be) transmission and transfer case, and carb. I also have x 2 correct rads, both in very rough shape, so I pick up another original one in great shape on here.

I also have a line on a CDN Slat Frame, however it is very expensive, but completely correct.

So what do I do? Do I continue to source as many original parts and get the slat frame? Or find a replacement frame and build the slat on it? Will this slat be worth the sum of original parts or will it be a good example of a Canadian Slat? With the original frame I am expecting the build to cost about 10K-12K USD or more, perhaps 8K-10K to build with out the frame and less original parts.

Does anyone have an MB frame? OR perhaps a Slat Frame,, that I can negotiate a reasonable price for?

I am looking forward to hearing from everyone,

Thank you,

Gavin


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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by Mark Jesic » Sat Dec 02, 2017 12:04 pm

Hi Gavin, my slattie is 119696 so yours is very close to mine, which is also Canadian .My opinion is keep it as original as possible, and remember whatever you spend on it,it will be doubled in value, help is here, good luck and keep us posted. Oh, where are you located ?

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by Adam » Sat Dec 02, 2017 1:16 pm

Is there a listing of all Canadian slat jeep vin numbers? How do you know what engine was original to it?

My slattie is 500 earlier yet engine number difference is a hair higher

ADam

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by Mark Jesic » Sun Dec 03, 2017 2:49 am

There is a list on this site, but it is for all Slatties, but it does notify you if it is a Canadian contract. As an afterthought the Canadian army ordered 2000 of these jeeps, not sure how main remain though. If you want to know the differences, let me know. :D

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by TwoCar » Sun Dec 03, 2017 4:43 am

Hello Gavin.

I have slattie # 118247 with a DoD 02/10/1942, only 669 away from yours. IMO, keep it as original as you can. Good luck with your restoration!
GPWs 196622 & 196623
GPs 14351 & 16625
Slat Grill 118247
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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by marc belanger » Mon Dec 04, 2017 4:41 pm

Gavin.
Welcome aboard.
Your project restoration level and associated budget will depend of your ultimate goal.
Having a functional and good looking jeep to drive around is pretty nice but could be made with a later MB-GPW-CJ`s jeeps.
You could also rebuild with maximum of autenticity and accuracy as an investment...but keep in mind....original parts are a hell to gather now.

I did 119949 30 years ago with a $10K budget.
I am now completing 118768 (original sensus number (CM4231089) so a return from Europe, collecting missing parts since 20 years. As well I know, from G503 source and collectors list in Canada, 118764 is the "oldest" CDLV 242 knowned and now in pristine condition.

If you need some expertise, you are welcome to drop me a line. If you need an artist for sheet metal working, Sylvain Daigle from Quebec province is very hard to beat. Restoration "a la carte" available.
Good luck.
MB

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by scubagavin » Mon Dec 04, 2017 7:02 pm

Hi Marc and Others,

Thank you for getting back to me. I know in my heart I will be going the authentic route. Fortunately I have acquired a lot of the big expensive parts at very reasonable prices or they came with it (like an original torque reaction spring, not put on at build but was part of the suspension; so I am not sure if it was a throw in part or was actually installed). And I got the body/most of the parts for a song. I know I could triple my monies flipping it, but that is not why i bought it.

Marc, thanks for your advice, I will be in touch, i read some of your messages on MLU and very much would like to pick your brain. I think in the end I would like an as original as possible, but it will be a driver as I am an active member of the Niagara Military Vehicle Club and most summer weekends we have events or cruises. As mentioned I some experience in jeep restoration. And for a CDN military vehicle club, not getting this slat on the road is a shame. I am in Southern Ontario, I work overseas ( where I am now ) and have lots of time at home when I am off. So I do have the time to take this on. I am also doing a M38 CDN at the same time, so I have an explosion of jeep parts at the moment in my garage.

My big dilemma is the 'investment' argument. It is only an investment if you have a mind to sell it someday. Now that is not always a foreseeable event and in many cases becomes a must sell not a want sell.

For myself, the big hang up is the original frame, it is already gone. So the option is a non-matching cdn slat frame ( which is available at a high price,, very high price) or a later MB frame with the slat built correct on top of it. Now if anyone knows of another slat frame for sale anywhere in N.America I am open to talk about it, or a good MB frame. Once I have that, the running gear will go in pretty quick while I work on the tub. I know everyone will say get the original slat frame if available, but will that change the value that much? or will it still be a jeep that is worth the sum of all the parts?

Thanks again for the opinions and advice and I look forward to hearing from you all,

Kind Regards,
Gavin


For Adam : Canadian Contract jeeps are the only jeeps that have the engine serial number on the Dash Plate; They have also been a great help to other restorers as the Canadian Contract Chassis/Engine 'Skew' has been a big part of determining the accepted 'range' for other jeep restorers to find the correct engine for their builds.

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by Mark Jesic » Tue Dec 05, 2017 2:06 am

Gavin, regarding the investment argument, when you are driving the jeep around, and enjoying it, look upon it as "money saved in the bank ". If you ever want or need to sell it, you know a Slattie, if restored is a massive resale value. Oh I WONT be selling mine. :D

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by Adam » Tue Dec 05, 2017 5:12 am

Unfortunately all the dash tags are missing. All I have is the frame tag and the engine number on the engine in her and a title that matches the numbers. It too needs a frame and a body and all the little stuff along with some big stuff. Before I sell her, weather complete or as a bunch of parts would like to know if it is Canadian or not.

Adam

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by Mark Jesic » Tue Dec 05, 2017 12:33 pm

Adam, any sign of lifting rings on the front bumper or behind the back bumperettes? I have just checked my jeep papers and it says that all Canadian contract jeeps CDLD241 (500) and CDLV242 (1500) were all produced in the month of February 1942. Any help ? :D Any photos available ?

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by TwoCar » Tue Dec 05, 2017 12:49 pm

Hello Mark.

Do you know which serial number jeeps went to Canada? I have 118247 with a DoD of 02/10 and interested to know if it spent some time outside the US. Bubba(s) transformed my slattie into a collage of poor decisions and doesn't resemble its former self so there is no chance to tell if it had lift rings. Thanks, Mike
GPWs 196622 & 196623
GPs 14351 & 16625
Slat Grill 118247
Convertos 0567349 & 0877894
Daughter - 10/23/2012
Son - 01/02/2018
Wife - Top Secret

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by GP1942 » Tue Dec 05, 2017 2:12 pm

My best opinion, it is you sell to me your Slat !!! :D :lol:
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GP 8707
GP 8847

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by Adam » Tue Dec 05, 2017 8:01 pm

Finally had some time to sit down and hit the books, From "The Standardized War Time Jeep" by John Farley. Approximate Chassis numbers 118697 to 120600 were sent to Canada under the 2 contracts for 1500 and 500 units. So if this is correct guess mine isn't

Adam

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by Stereo11 » Tue Dec 05, 2017 9:13 pm

Intersting, I have Slat 118836 here in Australia. Wish these jeeps could talk :D

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Re: Canadian Slat 118916; Advice and opinions..

Post by Mark Jesic » Wed Dec 06, 2017 12:35 am

Adam is spot on with the Canadian contract numbers, checking the "Emile Becker" book which is now thankfully printed in English, the production started around 11 Feb 42, although in some other books the production numbers do differ slightly. Yes Stereo, i wish jeeps could talk, we would all learn so much more. Would my better half let it get a word in though ? :lol:


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