Time to help us, the uninformed masses. I had forgotten what all the "U" model designations meant so I spent a little time looking it up.
U 1937 - 1948 Medium Compression 74" SV
UA 1939 - 1940 Low Compression US Army 74" SV
UH 1937 - 1941 Medium Compression 80" SV
UL 1937 - 1948 High Compression 74" SV
ULH 1937 - 1941 High Compression 80" SV
I'm assuming High Compression means alloy (silver) heads and Medium Compression means cast iron (black painted) heads.
I haven't had much success finding 1938 specific pictures of a "U" model. The one I did find had tank badges vs the tank decals specific to '38 that I just love (seen below). Was this perhaps a non-original tank or genuinely a cosmetic difference? Are there any confirmed cosmetic differences you are aware of? IMO 1938 is pretty much the absolute sweet spot for HD cosmetically.
Searching for the model designations I again ended up on AAOK. There is definitely some useful stuff up there. I think I'll go check my tires now.
I think there might be an additional designation you may come across. Sometimes the letter "S" appears after the model designation. This refers to a sidecar model, with a transmission that has 3 forward speeds plus reverse. One of the Cossacks has a '38 ULH with the sidecar trannie. Freaked me out, because he "backed" it out of a tight spot, without walking it out. One of the older Cossacks told me that some guys used to ride their solos backwards as part of the show.
ReplyDeleteI saw a reference to a "US" model on line. I assume it was a "U" like mine with a sidecar trannie...
I love that picture of the '38 too.