Dodge WC6 WC15 WC23 1/2 ton Reconnaissance Car

The Dodge WC-6 and the very similar WC-15 and WC-23, are 1/2 ton Command and Reconnaissance Cars with slightly different engines and other small differences.

WC-6 or WC-15 on test track, probably near the Dodge factory, Detroit, MI, 1941 or 1942.
WC-6 or WC-15 on test track, probably near the Dodge factory, Detroit, MI, 1941 or 1942.

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WC-6 WC-15 WC-23 1/2 ton, 4x4 Dodge Command Reconnaissance Car w/o Winch (G505)

The WC-6 WC-15 WC-23 1/2 ton, 4x4 Dodge Command Reconnaissance Cars were developed for officers and staff to have mobility on the battlefield. They have a standard frame which does not accomodate a factory installed winch, otherwise they are almost the same as the WC-7 WC-24 Command and Reconnaissance Cars. All are part of the WC model series G-505, built by Dodge during 1941 or early 1942.

If you don't have the vehicle dataplate, to differentiate you must know the U.S. Government registration number (Army number on the hood) or the serial number which can be found stamped on the left front frame.

Model Serial Number Range Hood Number Range
WC-6 8644701-8666216
8666301-8676719		 W206490-W209867
W2010913-W2015119
W2020437-W2022216
WC-15 8676901-8694193 W2024487-W2025966
W2026644-W2029143
WC-23 81500001-???
81517694-???		 W2050397-W2051696
W2052047-W2052246

Data from SNL G-657 Dodge Master Parts List. Other data on the Dodge G505 main page.

WC-6 Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge Command Car, w/o Winch. Hood number W-207003 confirms WC-6 (1941 contract).
WC-6 Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge Command Car, w/o Winch. Hood number W-207003 confirms WC-6 (1941 contract). Thanks to Bert Roelofsen for correct ID of this photo.

1941 photo, WC-15 Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge Command Car, w/o Winch
1941 photo, WC-6 Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge Command Car, w/o Winch. Hood number W-207308 confirms WC-6 (1941 contract).

The body of a Dodge Reconnaissance car is being lowered into place on the assembled chassis at the Dodge factory near Detroit, MI. Bodies for each of the many types of Dodge trucks built at the same time for the Army are synchronized in production with the chassis for which they are intended. The bodies are carried from a distant part of the plant by an overhead tram conveyor and are lowered to the chassis with perfect split second timing.
The body of a Dodge Reconnaissance car is being lowered into place on the assembled chassis at the Dodge factory near Detroit, MI. Bodies for each of the many types of Dodge trucks built at the same time for the Army are synchronized in production with the chassis for which they are intended. The bodies are carried from a distant part of the plant by an overhead tram conveyor and are lowered to the chassis with perfect split second timing.

WC-6 Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge Command Car, w/o Winch. At left, Capt. Ed Pettit, Co C, 2nd Bat, 2nd Infantry Division (Indianhead), Camp McCoy, WI, 1943. Photo: Courtesy Bob Pettit, son of Capt. Pettit.
WC-6 Truck, 1/2 ton, 4x4, Dodge Command Car, w/o Winch. At left, Capt. Ed Pettit, Co C, 2nd Bat, 2nd Infantry Division (Indianhead), Camp McCoy, WI, 1943. Photo: Courtesy Bob Pettit, son of Capt. Pettit.