Hey everybody, here's either a basket case or a diamond in the rough. A 1946 GMC wrecker. I think it has a Holmes 515 wrecker body, but the back fenders seem cut. It is missing parts --- will a Holmes 480 wrecker boom and other 480 parts work on the 515? Can Sparky the wrecker expert weigh in on this? Pics: http://www.alignment2012.com/GMC-wrecker.jpg http://www.alignment2012.com/GMC-wrecker2.jpg http://www.alignment2012.com/GMC-wrecker3.jpg The truck is pretty solid but the engine is missing parts. Are these rare enough to make the effort at restoring? I have the serial number ("Chassis" VIN) for this GMC and the Holmes wrecker numbers too --- where can I look up the data on those numbers? I think it's a 1946. The wheel base is 134" --- the same as my 1 ton. What's it worth?
It is worth restoring. I do not believe the 480 parts will fit the truck but I honestly am not sure. It is totally worth rebuilding and those are the factory fenders on a 515 without the chariot body. I have seen several like that before. Thanks brad
480 booms are different. Looks to have at least one of the original booms laying in the back. IMO, I believe the rear fenders have been cut, & trimmed back. Anything done from the factory would not have been left with such sharp edges. A commom practice when the fenders had been badly damaged. Seen this happen alot. I'd save it, if buying it cheap is possible.
Spanky Hardy Collector Of Fine Old G.M. COE Trucks & Antique Holmes Wreckers
Okay, many thanks. Any resources on the Holmes 515 out there --- pdf of parts list or anything? Good pictures? I don't know anything about wreckers and want to account for missing pieces.
You can contact Webb's, down here in the "south-end" of Colorado. Vern (FriedGreenTmater) should be able to provide a website for them. They have a variety of parts for trucks.
Jett services owns that truck, and is not for sale at this time. I know this because I've tried many times to purchase it and I believe this is where my '53 came from, after a search and I found the registration with an address from Victor, Co..
I've got alot of Holmes 515 info., I can make you copies of. PM me your mailing address. I've owned three of them. Two '48 Chevrolet Holmes 515's, & one '56 Chevy Holmes 515. Check out my webshots albums in the links below. You'll see alot of interesting Holmes stuff ie: wreckers, accessories etc. Look on the passenger side Wrecker mast upright for the Ernest Holmes ID plate. I can decifer the serial no. for you.
Spanky Hardy Collector Of Fine Old G.M. COE Trucks & Antique Holmes Wreckers
Hey John: Your wrecker was made in june of 47.It's a traffic king that came with a 540 towing cradle. Thats what the E means. Spanky taught me all that and a lot more. He's the authority on Holmes Wreckers and has helped me alot. Mine is a 46 truck with a 47 wrecker because Holmes couldn't keep up with demand after the war.If you want to make some back fenders send me a p m and I'll tell you how I made them for my 515. You can see them in the gallery.I made a lot of stuff for mine,If you have any ? I'd be glad to help.(P.S.Mine was rougher)
Last edited by Chris's 46 / 515; 10/12/201011:37 PM.
515E = model 515, E = equipped with a Holmes Hi-Speed Towing cradle. TF7- T = Traffic King (There was also a Holmes Road King Serial no.'s 100-318) F = June, 7 = 1947. 2335 = unit no. 2335. The first Holmes 515 Traffic King was serial no. TAO-319 delivered Jan. 2, 1940. The last was serial no. TH3- 6378 delivered Aug. 13, 1953. Be sure to check out Chris's Wrecker in "The Gallery". It's "AWESOME" !
Spanky Hardy Collector Of Fine Old G.M. COE Trucks & Antique Holmes Wreckers
That is one cool C.O.E. The Holmes looks good on it. Thanks for the detailed serial number info Spanky. The wrecker is missing one of the booms. Any spare ones out there somewhere? I haven't made an offer yet; it is going to need a replacement 270 engine, glass, seat ... ballpark suggestions? $400 to $700?
John: You can allways build a boom as long as you have a sample. Almost every shaft on that 515 is one and three sixteens in diameter, you could replace every shaft with one 12' length if they there rusted like mine were.I say 700,I paid 750 for mine.
Back when I was ten foot tall I ran a Holmes wrecker on a 48 Chev chassis and would like to know what model it was. I think I saw something one time that said "Traffic King" It had twin booms, the lattice type. It had the cradle and stiff legs with a large tool box behind the cab that opened by a cable inside the cab. The controls were on the back end and it had a slip clutch.I am just wanting to know what model it was. Incidentaly the first wrecker I ran was a Manly hand cranker on a 34 Chev. Thanks for any help.
