Hi Jackyl. The body in the photo you attached is an old original GM factory ordered platform built by MidWest Body Co, now out of business. The bodies were not installed at the [censored]'y plants but sent out to MI outfitters and then shipped to the dealers. F*&d had the same thing except they had the F*&d script logo embossed in the rear bolster. Same thing happens today but the dealers order the chassis and equipment from "pool outfitters" who keep the trucks locally.
Knapheide makes a similar design in thier Pacesetter X series platforms and it's available in 7'-5" and 8'-5" X 80" for single wehel applications. Dual wheel models are made 96" wide. You can specify wood, smooth or treadplate floors. After 43 years in business I can tell you without reservation that finding one in an upfitters inventory will be as likely as finding chicken lips. So be prepared to order it. They will have the cheaper small bodies that are not the same appearence. The Knapheide unit has only one roll at the top and one at the bottom so it isn't quite the same but close enough for government work but it does have radius corners. Stake racks are made to fit them also. There are Knapheide stores and distributors everywhere so finding one is not a problem.
It is not likely you'll run across too many old GM units after such a length of time, but who knows. I'd look in the south first. A lot of them went there and they shouldn't be as rusty.
I have looked around at a lot of places for Grigg for someone who still rolls that particular rubrail design. Haven't found one yet but he wants aluminum and that means an extrusion so most unlikely. Hope this info is of some value. I know just about everybody in the equipment business so let me know if I can help.
Last edited by 53moneypit; 07/25/2008 10:27 PM.
