During the mid-1930's and following Hitler's rise to power in Germany, the British Government began exploring Canada's potential as a manufacturing base for war-related goods. Given the British Army's dire need of transport of all kinds, both Ford of Canada and R.S. McLaughlin of General Motors of Canada Ltd. were invited by the Canadian Department of National Defense to produce a Canadian prototype of an "8 cwt" light infantry truck that would be compatible with British specifications and based on the pattern of the British 8 cwt truck.
As part of the range of "Canadian Military Pattern" or CMP vehicles, these trucks were designated as the Chevrolet C-8 and Ford F-8. While Chevrolet's C-8 bodies were made by W.D. Beath, a Toronto company, Ford of Canada made their own. Both Chevrolet's C-8 and Ford's F-8 utilized many standard civilian-vehicle parts, making it relatively easy to locate replacement parts.Production began around May 1940 and ended near the close of 1941 with a total of 9,837 units built. Today, it is very rare to find a surviving 8 cwt truck, let alone a restored example of these important Allied army transport vehicles.
This F-8 was purchased in Canada in 2008 and shipped to Arizona where a complete frame-up restoration was begun. The restoration was completed in 2009 and the truck has since been maintained in a garage. A fan shroud was installed to aid in cooling the engine. The electrical system was converted to 12 volts and an alternator installed in place of the original generator. Turn signals were added to make the truck "street legal." This is currently the only Ford F-8 truck in the United States.
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