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This page updated on 12-24-2019.
This is 1801 North 5th Street in Niles, MI, and is the boyhood home of the Dodge Brothers. Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
It is sad. Dodge Trucks are longer built, as the powers to be at what was Chrysler Group LLC in 2010 dropped the name Dodge from the Ram and the trucks are now just sold under the name Ram. Also just as sad, or maybe pathetic would be the better word, is that there is no Chrysler any more, as Chrysler Group LLC became FCA USA LLC on December 16, 2014. What a shame!
This photo is from the wall of the Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hill, MI. It is one of several posters that are displayed, showing Chrysler's contribution to the war effort during WWII. The number of trucks produced as shown above is 393,515. This compares to my grand total of 404,817 as seen below. This is not unusual 70 years later to arrive at different numbers. The important fact is that the Dodge Division of Chrysler supported the war effort with many different trucks for various applications and needs.
Below are production numbers for the various types of Dodge Trucks that I have been able to find from various sources. Note that in the WC series there is no WC-2 or WC28-35. I was able to find no reference to these designations. All vehicles are 4x4 unless denoted otherwise. Many of the differences between similar types are in the he size of the engines or engineering upgrades to meet the changing military requirements.
Vehicles designated in dark gray have photos provided below.
Dodge Half-Ton Trucks
Model Number
Description
Number Built
Comments, Year(s) built
VC Series
VC-1
Command and Reconnaissance Car
2,155
1940
VC-2
Radio
34
1940
VC-3
Pickup
816
Closed Cab, 1940
VC-4
Chassis
4
Closed Cab, 1940
VC-5
Pickup
1,607
Open Cab, 1940
VC-6
Carryall
24
1940
VC Sub Total
4,460
WC Series
WC-1
Express Body
2,573
Closed Cab, Longitudinal Seats, 1941
WC-3
Express Body
7,808
Open Cab, Traverse Seats, 1941
WC-4
Express Body
5,570
Open Cab, Traverse Seats with winch, 1941
WC-5
Express Body
60
Closed Cab, No Seats, 1941
WC-6
Command Reconnaissance and Radio Car
9,365
1941
WC-7
Command Reconnaissance and Radio Car
1,438
1941
WC-8
Radio
648
1941
WC-9
Ambulance
2,288
1941
WC-10
Carryall
1,643
1941
WC-11
Panel
353
1941
WC-12
Pickup
6,047
1941
WC-13
Pickup
3,019
Pickup, 1941
WC-14
Pickup
268
Closed Cab, 1941
WC-15
Command Reconnaissance and Radio Car
3,980
1941
WC-16
Radio
1,284
1941
WC-17
Carryall
274
1941
WC-18
Ambulance
1,555
1941
WC-19
Panel
103
1941
WC-20
Chassis only
30
Closed Cab, no body, 1941
WC-21
Pickup, Express and Weapons Carrier
14,287
1941-1942
WC-22
Pickup
1,900
Open Cab with winch, 1941
WC-23
Command Reconnaissance and Radio Car
2,637
1941-1942
WC-24
Command Reconnaissance and Radio Car
1,412
1941-1942
WC-25
Radio
1,630
1941-1942
WC-26
Carryall
2,900
1941-1942
WC-27
Ambulance
2,579
1941-1942
WC-36
4x2 Carryall
400
1941
WC-37
4x2 Panel
6
1941
WC-38
4x2 Pickup
362
Closed Cab, 1941
WC-39
4x2 Telephone Maintenance
1
Closed Cab, 1941
WC-40
Pickup
275
Closed Cab, 1941
WC-41
No Body
306
Closed Cab, 1941
WC-42
Radio Panel
650
1942
WC-43
Telephone Installation
370
1942
WC-47
4x2 Express
390
Closed Cab, 1942
WC-48
4x2 Carryall
374
1942
WC-49
4x2 Panel
8
1942
WC-50
4x2 Telephone Installation
1
1942
WC Sub Total
78,794
Total Half Ton Trucks (VC and WC)
83,254
Dodge 3/4 Ton Trucks
Model Number
Description
Number Built
Comments
WC-51
Cargo Truck
123,541
1942-1945
WC-52
Cargo Truck
59,114
With Winch, 1942-1945
WC-53
Carryall
8,400
1942 until production ended 4-1943
WC-54
Ambulance
26,002
1942 until production ended 4-1944
WC-55
Gun Motor Carriage M6
5,380
Production from 4-1942 to 10-1942
WC-56
Command and Reconnaissance Car
21,156
1942-1944
WC-57
Command and Reconnaissance Car
6,010
With Winch. 1942 until production ended 4-1944
WC-58
Radio Truck
2,344
1942
WC-59
Telephone Maintenance
607
1943
WC-60
Emergency Repair Chassis, M2
300
1943-1944
WC-61
Light Maintenance Truck
58
Similar to the WC-59 with a full width body.
WC-64
Knock Down Ambulance
3,500
1-1945 to 8-1945
Total 3/4 Ton
256,412
Dodge 1-1/2 Ton Trucks
Model Number
Description
Number Built
Comments
VF Series
VF-401
Cargo Truck
3,122
Closed Cab, 1940
VF-402
Cargo Truck
431
Closed Cab with winch, 1940
VF-403
Dump Truck
323
Closed Cab, 1940
VF-404
Cargo Truck
1,956
Closed Cab, 1940
VF-405
Cargo Truck
509
Closed Cab with winch, 1940
VF-406
Dump Truck
67
Closed Cab, 1940
VF-407
Ambulance
3
1940
VF Sub Total
6,411
WF Series
WF-31
4x2 Chassis with Cab
516
Closed Cab, 1941-1942
WF Sub Total
516
WC Series
WC-62
6x6 Truck
23,092
1943-1945
WC-63
6x6 Truck
20,132
With Winch, 1943-1945
WC Sub Total
43,224
Total 1-1/2 Ton (VF, WF, WC)
50,151
Dodge Three Ton Trucks
Model Number
Description
Number Built
Comments
T234
3 Ton
15,000
For China. No information is available beyond the information from the Chrysler Museum. One would assume that the vehicle would be a single rear axle with double tires.
Sub Total
15,000
A copy of the title or registration is acceptable as proof of ownership. It must show your name and the correct serial number/VIN. If you have an issue with your proof of ownership, please contact Historical Services before ordering. It may take up to 4-6 weeks to complete your request once it is received by the Historical Services office. Jun 01, 2018.
Summary, Total Dodge Truck Production for WWII (1940-1945)
Capacity
Number Built
Half Ton
83,254
3/4 Ton
256,412
1-1/2 Ton
50,151
3 Ton
15,000
Grand Total
404,817
This is Dodge T214 six-cylinder engine that is on display at the Michigan Military Technical and Historical Society in Eastpointe, MI. This is on display while the organization's 1944 WC52 is restored. Author's photo added 2-12-2019.
Below are photos of the various Dodge WWII trucks that I have come across in my travels.
The beginning of the Dodge Truck line for WWII. A VC-1 as seen at the 2014 MVPA National Convention in Louisville, KY. The VC-1 was the first in the long series of trucks that by the time the war was over totaled. 404,817 units. This is one of the first 2,155 produced by Dodge. Author's photo.
The engineering code for these models was T-214 and it was used as the beginning of the engine serial number stamped on the left side of the block. These trucks were the workhorses of World War II and saw service on nearly every continent. The 3/4-ton WC had a much improved, stronger frame than the earlier model 1/2 ton. Two models of WC were offered—the 51 without a PTO winch and the 52 which had one. This one has the winch, which required an extension to the frame for its mount.
A pristine restoration of a rare vehicle. Author's photo.
Author's photo.
This VC-5 was on display at the 2017 MVPA National Convention in Cleveland, OH. It is Serial Number 8643018 and was delivered on 4-15-1940. Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
Another rare Dodge vehicle from WWII and the first of the prolific WC series is this WC-1. This 1/2 ton Dodge Truck can be seen at the National Military Historical Center in Auburn, IN. Only 2,473 for these were built during the Second World War. This particular truck went to the US Army at Fort Lewis, WA on February 18, 1941. Author's photo.
Author's photo.
A Dodge WC-3 photographed at the 2014 Thunder over Michigan Airshow. Author's photo.
The WC-3 had no winch and transverse seating. One seat is still in the truck with the others removed for the oil barrel. The oil was being used to service the five Cadillac M5/M5A1 tanks that participated in the show. Author's photo.
7,808 WC-3s were built. It was great to see this driving around the event and not as a museum display. Author's photo.
This WC-3 was on display at the 2017 MVPA National Convention in Cleveland, OH. It is Serial Number 8661394 and was delivered on 7-14-1941. Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
This Dodge WC-6 was built in March of 1942 and is one of 9,365 built. Author's photo from the 2014 MVPA Louisville convention.
Author's photo.
Photographed at the 2013 Houston Airshow is this pristine 1941 Dodge WC-7 Command and Reconnaissance Car. It is one of only 1,438 built. Author's photo added 12-25-2014.
Author's photo added 12-25-2014.
This ID tag shows a delivery date of April of 1941. Author's photo added 12-25-2014.
Another Dodge at the 2014 Thunder over Michigan Airshow, this one a half ton WC-12 and one of 6,047 built. Author's photo.
Here is 1941 Dodge WC-12 as seen at the 2013 Houston Airshow. Author's photo added 12-25-2014.
This WC-13 was photographed at the Ohio MVPA show at Findlay, OH in May 2019. Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
This Dodge closed cab WC-21 was part of the collection at the Ropkey Armor Museum in Crawfordsville, IN. The museum closed in 2018 and this truck is no longer at this location. Author's photo added 4-17-2015.
Author's photo added 4-17-2015.
Author's photo added 4-17-2015.
This WC-21 was on display at the 2017 MVPA National Convention in Cleveland, OH. It is Serial Number 81121200 and was delivered on 11-4-1941. Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
Author's photo added 12-24-2019.
This WC-22 1/2 ton Pickup was built in December 1941 and is one of 1,900 manufactured. Author's photo from the 2014 MVPA Louisville convention.
The WC-22 was designed to pull M3 37mm anti tank gun, crew and ammunition. Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Dodge Wc 51 For Sale
Model WC-22, serial number 81505598. Author's photo.
Dodge WC-24 1/2 Ton 4x4 Command and Reconnaissance Car as seen at the National Military Historical Center, Auburn, IN. One of 1,412 built in 1941 and 1942. Author's photo.
A third Dodge half ton truck at Thunder over Michigan in 2014. This WC-27 ambulance was one of 2,579 built in 1941 and 1942. This particular unit was produced in 1941. Author's photo.
This is one of 275 Dodge WC-40s built during World War Two. It was photographed in 2012 at the Flying Heritage Museum in Everett, WA. Author's photo added 10-17-2018.
This nicely restored 1942 Dodge 3/4 ton WC-51 was seen at the Urbana Airport in November of 2013, when I was there for the Gathering of B-25s for the last Doolittle Reunion and Flyover. Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Dodge Wc 51 For Sale
This was one of 37,100 WC-51s built in 1942 and 123,541 form 1941-1945. Author's photo.
This WC-52 is identical to the WC-51 above except it came with the winch. 59,114 of these were built by Dodge from 1942 until 1945. Author's photo from the 2012 Tico Airshow.
This 1943 WC-53 3/4 ton Carryall was one of 8,400 built in 1942 and 1943. Author's photo from the 2014 MVPA Louisville convention.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
One of 26,002 WC-54 ambulance versions of the 3/4 ton Dodge trucks which were built between 1942 and April of 1944. Author's photo from the National Military Historical Center, Auburn, IN.
Author's photo.
Dodge Wc 51 Serial Number List
This WC-55 was designated as an M6 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) by the US Army. With its 37mm cannon it was an interim solution for a mobile anti-tank weapon until the more well armed half tracks and M10s were available. Author's photo from the 2014 MVPA Louisville convention.
Author's photo. In this location there was provision for 24 rounds of ammunition. Author's photo.
While truly under gunned, the M6 GMC did have a large shield. But the crew had to ride to battle unprotected sitting on the seats in the rear. Author's photo.
Provision is make for another 24 rounds of 37mm ammunition on the right side of the vehicle and a rare radio installation is in the location of the passenger seat. Author's photo.
All 5,380 of the WC-55s were built in 1942. This particular one came off the assembly line in June of that year. Author's photo.
Here one of 21,156 WC-56 Command and Reconnaissance Cars built by Dodge between 1942 and 1944. Author's photo from the 2014 MVPA Louisville convention.
Dodge Engine Serial Numbers
This one was built on 3-2-1943. Author's photo.
The WC-57 Command and Reconnaissance Car was the same as the WC-56 expect it had the winch. This one of 6,101 built between 1942 and end of production in April of 1944. Author's photo from the National Military Historical Center, Auburn, IN.
Seen here is a WC-62 1-1/2 ton truck which was part of the military display at the 2014 Evansville, IN ShrinersFest. 23,092 were delivered to the military between 1943 and 1945. Author's photo.
This very well restored WC-63 Dodge 6x6 1-1/2 ton truck was on display at the 2013 MVPA Rally at the Ropkey Armor Museum in September of 2013. This was designated as either a WC62 or WC63 depending on whether it had the winch making this a WC-63. This was a stretched version of the 3/4 ton 4x4 WC-52 shown above and and 96% of the same parts were used while being four feet longer. The added length was needed when the US Army went from an 8 man infantry squad to a 12 man squad. Dodge built 20,132 trucks of this type along with all the other military trucks at its Mounds Road Plant in Warren, MI truck plant. Author's photo.
Author's photo.
A 1941 Dodge Sedan that is painted to look like a Dodge WWII staff car. Dodge, back before WWII made automobiles, just as it does now. Author's photo from the Tico Warbird Museum in Titusville, FL.
This Dodge tractor unit was photographed at the 2016 WWII Weekend in Reading, PA. It is in the colors of the USN Seabees. Author's photo added 5-2-2017.
