Thanks, Burgy & Lightholder's Dad. I am quite relieved to have been disabused of all the misinformation that I've been told, over the past 30 years, about my lightest model of the Big Bolt series. And I find the term "nominal rating" to be quite appropriate for a 1-1/2 ton truck that can easily carry a 3 ton load and still be under its GVWR.
I took Burgy's suggestion and went through the deciphering process of my truck's VIN with the following results:
5 - It was a product of the Kansas City, MO plant
VK - 4400 Model Series, 1.5 ton, 161" wheelbase
B - Came off the KC assembly line in February of '52
1191 - It was the 191st 1952 truck off of that line
Even though the old girl needs a lot of work before she'll be worth showing, I've decided to enter her in the Alamosa Early Iron Club's 40th Annual Festival (
www.earlyironclub.com) this coming Labor Day Holiday weekend. That show has typically had to close off show registrations well before the holiday weekend but last year the show was canceled due to the COVID-19 panicdemic and some early uncertainty whether it would be a go this year seems to have stifled early registrations such that they might not reach their 600+ vehicle limit. Anyone in the Southwest US that needs an activity to enjoy on the holiday weekend would do well to consider the Early Iron Festival. They put on a whale of a show, and there is no entry fee for non-showing spectators.
