The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot BC Bolters Tow truck

hello were building a 1952 gmc 1 ton tow truck. Problem is we need the tow truck part. Looking for something as close to original as possible. Doesn't need to be pretty, we will take care of that. Any one have any leads on something that would be great. Thank you.

Check with Holmes wrecker company in Chattanooga TN; I also saw another large towing manufacturer there off of I-40, but I don't recall their name. Miller industrial , maybe ? It had a welding company name (by coincidence).

These would be new kits, of course, but you did ask for a lead... Holmes is/was the authority on towing- the International Towing & Recovery Museum is also there in Chattanooga.

Welcome to Stovebolt.

Brad

Edit - it is Miller

Here's a link to some pictures of various towing apparatuses I just posted in the Greasy Spoon.

Brad

Ernest Holmes ran that company for many years. Holmes is now Miller- - - -the company was sold a few years back. Holmes has been pretty much the gold standard for towing and recovery equipment for a lot of years!
Jerry

Thanks guys I will check them out.

Hi, Glen. Stick with your search and you'll eventually find exactly what you are after. 3B Bobb, out in Rosedale BC, might have it already. I can take a peek for you if it is too far: I live close to him.

Does your truck have the factory's 137" wheelbase?

That would be great. Thank you. I used to work with 3B at overhaul. Yes it has 137" wheel base.

That would be great it you could do that for us. I used to work with 3B at overhaul. Yes our truck is the 137" wheel base. Thank you very much.

Well after a long hard search I have finally found a complete Holmes 460 for our truck. I just have to go and get it in Oceanside California next weekend.

That's called going coastal...


(In reference to "going postal"- glad you found the Holmes unit for your truck)

Brad

Hy glend, I'm glad you found what you were looking in a tow unit, I hosted a tour for your father-in-law yesterday, I think he left happy.

Is that anywhere near Disneyland? Don't forget to pack your mouse ears.

He was very impressed with your place. Hey do you have any info for a Holmes 460. I need to figure out how to mount this to our truck. Thank you.

I almost didn't see this. I'm interested in seeing what you're working with. I've been collecting Vintage Holmes Wreckers, & parts for almost 30 yrs. A Holmes 460 would be a 460 Speed King. Will you be getting the Chariot Style Service body with it. I might have some info., on it around here. I've only owned one 460, but have had several model 515s, 525s, 600s, W35s, & W45s.

I will try and post some pictures on here. We have the 460 tow truck part and the matching chariot style body. Both parts have the brass holmes badges on them. I am missing a few things for it and a manual. I would really like to talk to you about this tow truck.

Get me the number from the ID tags, on the Service body, & booms and i'll tell you when it was built.

The number from the body is BK27724 and the number on the boom is RK21588. If you know of a install manual that would be very helpful. I called the tow truck museum and they said they didn't have one. I find that strange, but I guess it's possible.

RK2 1588- R=460 Speed King, K=November, 2= 1952, 1588= unit number. the first Holmes 460 Speed King was Serial no. RG8 500, and was built July, 1948. the last 460 Speed King was serial number RD8 3680, and was built April, 1958. The service body was also built November, 1952.

Thank you spanky, that's great info. Do you have a picture showing how the body and the boom mast mounts to the frame. I have been searching for hours and can't find anything. I need to fit this to the truck before I start getting it ready for paint and body work.

RK2 1588- R = 460 Speed King, K = November, 2 = 1952, 1588 = unit number. The first Holmes 460 Speed King was Serial No. RG8 500, and was built July, 1948. The last 460 Speed King was Serial Number RD8 3680, and was built April, 1958. The service body was also built November, 1952.

I have a Holmes Manual on how to install a Holmes model W35, but not a 460. Probably not much difference. My experience removing several 515, 525, W35, & W45 units from trucks, they most always had a wooden runner, or blocks between the top of the frame rail, & bottom of the service body. The thickness of the wood will be determined by a test fitting to line up the running boards of the wrecker service body, with the running boards of the truck cab.

I received my 460 manual today and it's not very clear on how to mount the body and wrecker. It looks like it wants me to drill holes through the top flange of the frame. I'm not sure this is right, it's not the way I would do it. If anyone out there has a picture showing how this chariot style body and wrecker is mounted to the frame I would be very grateful. I have searched the Internet for days and have found nothing.

Is there a picture of your wrecker assembly in my album I linked to a while back (in this thread, I think) ?

I can't link now, but if you see something I photographed you'd like to see better, I can make that happen.

Brad

Hi guys I'm looking for some parts for this tow truck we are restoring. I need a boom ratchet gear part 4556L and a small service drum. These parts came off of Holmes 460. I been told that the Holmes 500 has the same parts. If anyone knows where I can get these things I would be so happy. Thank you all very much.