The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Obeco decks / box.

Was wondering about a few things on my '52 gmc 9700. It has an Obeco flat deck on it (I think it might have actually been a grain box that lost it's sides at some point in the past) Is there any info / history out there on this company? Would be great to find an owners manual or a parts book, but I think I'm getting my hopes up there. I did find the S/N of it, stamped in the side, but no data tag.

I have no insight but I too live in Victoria, not many of these bigger trucks around, I will have to keep my eye out for yours.

Find a "Chevrolet "Silver Book". These books were at the Dealerships, and show available equipment for New Chevrolet trucks. You will see a small amount of info., on those beds there.

spanky,

Did GMC make Silver Books or are you referring to a Chevrolet truck Silver Book (most parts would work on GMC light/medium trucks).

I'll check my 1952 Chevrolet Truck Silver Book (if I have unpacked it).

Years ago we had a 59 IHC truck that had a grain box on it. There were metal signs on the rear of each side of the grain box that said OBECO, with small letters under it that said "Omaha Body and Equipment Co"

dlhenk nailed it.
Those beds were common in this part of the country. As you mentioned, it more than likely was a grain box.

Thanks dlhenk! nice to know what it stands for, and where it's from.

It's in not bad shape, all the metal framing is solid, still red with lots of pin striping. the "Obeco" script is also painted alongside the striping on the side of the deck, and it has a plywood floor.

"Omaha Body & Equipment Company was headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. It used the OBECO brand. Its products are documented in an Edward R. Bacon Company dealer catalog, collection 2331"

Sent a couple emails, one to the historical construction equipment association, other to E R Bacon (ERBCO), hopefully one of the 2 has that catalog.

Silver Book looks interesting as well. I hadn't heard of those before. How many years did they span (quick search looked like at least mid 40's - late 80's?)

The GMC version of the "Silver Book", is called Truck Equipment Directory, for GMC Dealers.

Obeco Truck Bodies - one-page "ad" in the 1952 Chevrolet Truck "Silver Book"

Thanks for posting that Tim. I wanted to send a picture from my Silver Book, but didn't know how to do in in a link.

Tim,

Yes thanks for posting that. The lower right "platform frame" is identical to mine, right down to the script and pin striping on the side. Talked to my grandpa this morning, he confirmed it was a grain box. The loads off to the elevator are marked on the dash, looks like she hauled a lot in her day. He mentioned he bought the truck from my Great uncle (think in the 90's) for 100$, prior to that it was another great uncle of mines truck.