Dodge W.C 51
Built: 1942-1942 · Series: WC
More machines from model year 1942
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Dodge WC – US military Weapons Carrier from the Second World War: three-quarter-ton trucks with a Chrysler six-cylinder of around 3.77 litres, from troop carrier to ambulance
The Dodge WC series comprised three-quarter-ton military vehicles built by the Chrysler Corporation from 1940 to 1945, known as "Weapons Carriers." They were supplied in large numbers to the US Army and, under the Lend-Lease programme, to Allied forces. The type designations derived from Chrysler's internal T-214 series: WC51/WC52 denoted the open troop-and-cargo carrier, WC54 the ambulance, WC56/WC57 the command car, and WC60/WC64 the enclosed box-body versions.
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The register lists 9 versions with six-cylinder engines of 3,769 to 3,771 cc. Kerb weights run from 1,420 to 2,670 kg, gross vehicle weights from 2,010 to 3,500 kg; widths run from 1,880 to 2,130 mm.
The rugged Chrysler flathead six and four-wheel drive made the WC series one of the most widely built Allied military vehicles of the war; after 1945 many examples remained in civilian and military service worldwide. Today, WC models are sought-after collector vehicles in the militaria and classic-vehicle scene.
When buying a used example, key checks include corrosion on the ladder frame and leaf-spring mounts, the condition of the transfer case and front-axle drive shafts, and the tightness of the cooling system. On ambulance and box-body versions, it is worth closely inspecting the wooden frame and sheet-metal panelling for rot and corrosion. Parts are traded through specialist military-vehicle dealers and international collector clubs.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Dodge WC, Dodge (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Cylinders | 6correct |
|---|
Dimensions and weights
| Width | 2,130 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 2,480 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,355 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 3,288 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 4correct |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Dodge W.C 51 weigh?
The unladen weight is 2,355 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Dodge W.C 51?
3,288 kg.
What engine does the Dodge W.C 51 have?
6 cylinders.
When was the Dodge W.C 51 built?
Production years: 1942.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 8 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
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