The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Newbie -- Just bought 1952 GMC COE Bookmobile!

Hailing from western Washington, I just bought a 1952 GMC COE bookmobile. It runs and drives, but doesn't stop (the brakes are gone). So it's still sitting about 50 miles away from me, and I'm trying to deduce some basic information about it. I have the title with me, and the VIN number says A248141085 -- but every VIN decoder I've seen rejects that as unknown. The title also says that the scale weight is 11,080 lbs. The rig is 25' long, and has a 13'8" wheel base. Much of the interior, including the bookshelves and check-out counter, is intact. I will post pictures as soon as I can figure it out. My first questions are: what engine is in it? And what it this -- a 2-ton or larger? Looking to exchange information with the rest of the BigBolts here!

Hey Vic welcome to the Stovebolt. I saw that truck on craigslist and was sure tempted to go after it. Great catch!

GMC sixes have the engine size as the first three digits of the serial number. You'll find the serial number on a small pad just behind the distributor. On a COE you'll open the floor covers just to see it.

If you check www.OldGMCTrucks.com there is information to decode the serial number on GMC trucks. If you join up other there you'll find a thread discussing your truck.

However a serial starting A248 does not match the chassis designations and is probably a motor number. If that is the case, ignore the A and your motor is, or was a 248. I'm not sure what the A means, though I have one with that too.

You really need the serial number from the chassis plate, probably inside the drivers door, to determine what model truck it is. My guess is that will start F35 or F4 something.

Sounds cool!! Can't wait to see pictures. Are you going to keep it stock, or make it into a camper, or what?

That "Bad Boy", is "AWESOME" !, click into this link, http://www.classiccoe.com/oldcoetrucks/4754.htm & scroll down half the page, & you'll see a GMC COE Bookmobile, that I bid on, on ebay several years ago, on the left, & a GMC COE Bookmobile, that I found about 50 miles from me on the right.

Congrats Vic,

On your Bookmobile find; it's probably a Gerstenslager body from Wooster, OH. Great that the interior is intact, and best wishes on its rehab!

Gerstenslager Bookmobiles

TG