Did you know there is a little village in England
called KNOCKDOWN? Show
map
Did you know most people think that a WC64KD
worked like a convertible, to be folded down when desired, since
the vehicle was called a "knockdown" ambulance?
That was not the case, assembled in place would have been about
a three or four-hour job for a half-dozen men.
Did you know almost all WC64KD's were shipped
from the USA to France in 1945 and never drove in England? Stencil
markings like CAUTION RIGHT HAND DRIVE, NO SIGNALS, MAX SPEED
55 MPH etc. don't belong on your KD
Did you know after D-day ambulances had no
white stars on roof or bonnet?
They only painted red-crosses on them as the Geneva Convention
says so plains couldn't mistake attacking them for they now
where complete neutral.
Did you know WWII ambulances where painted OD insite
not white?
Although this may have been done when and if they were refurbished
for later use.
Did
you know in WWII ambulances had no sirens, blue
or red flash lights?
Only MP and important vehicles had them, for example towing
trucks(?)
Did you know the Geneva Red Cross symbol
is protected by law and only to be used by members of
the Red Cross or Army medical units?
Driving around with your historical ambulance with unprotected
red crosses on public roads is illegal and you can be
prosecuted for it.
Did you know there are only about 20-30 running
WC-64 ambulances in the World
And I want to know where the are, please help
me!
more to come....
KD ON FILM
As scarce as they are, the KD’s have turned up in several
movies, although usually very briefly.
These include:
- Battle circus with Huphrey Bogart (1953)
- Kelly's Heroes (1970),
- The Forgotten War (narrated by Robert Stack),
- Back to the Beach, Fighter Squadron (1948),
- Command Decision (1948) with Clark Gable.
JEEP or BEEP
The WC-64 and al other WW2 ¾ton Dodge trucks were often
called BEEP’s by the men. There are several stories about
the Jeep’s name and it is actual the same story. In 1941
Major E.P. Hogan wrote a history of the vehicle and said, “
‘Jeep’ is an old Army grease monkey term dating
back to WWI and was used by shop mechanics to refer to any new
motor vehicle received for testing.” For those old enough
to remember the Popeye comic strip, it will be fondly recalled
there was a character called “Eugene the Jeep.”
Eugene was a “do it all” figure who could solve
all sorts of complex problems. The public became so taken with
his abilities; a capable person or thing was referred to as
a “real Jeep!”
The name Jeep finally stuck when the chief test driver for Willys
drove a prototype up the steps of the Capital Building and a
bystander asked him, “What is that THING?” He yelled,
“It’s a Jeep!” Washington Daily News reporter
Katherine Hillyer overheard the remark and captioned the picture
with the name…Jeep.
Before the Bantam designed vehicle, Dodge produced a gangly,
massive Command Car on a ½ ton chassis. It was a 4x4
design and for a while it was called a Jeep. Later, they were
called “Beeps,” or short for “Big Jeeps.”
HOW MUCH ARE THEY WORTH?
Don't expect anyone to pay it for your KD but it is still a
nice thought ;-)
- Unrestored and not drivable 10.000 Euro*
- Unrestored but drivable 13.000 Euro*
- Restored collectors item 25.000 Euro*
- Concourse style 30.000 Euro*
* just a indication by Hubert Arboux (F) Manual
Tech. Dodge 42-45, I think prices in Europe are much lower (about
40%)
