The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts I'm model/serial number confused - 1945 GMC?

CC 303 38674

This looks like a 137 inch wheel base to me. Doesnt look 160, does it?

But when I read this it looks like those numbers lead to a 1945 300 series with a 160 inch wheel base.

Is this a cab on another frame, or am I not being flexible enuf trying to interpret this model number?

Or somebody switched ID plates. Hence the screws, but that is more opinion than actual fact depending on who you ask.

CC 303 indicates a 1942 model at 160" WB.
The serial number of 38674 fits a 1945 model.

I dont know.

Jeff

If you look on the outside of the frame, directly behind the front spring hangers, in very large letters should be another ID number. Mine is still on my '47 COE after all these years. It looks to have been put on with a grease pencil, before it was covered in dirt.

Also, it appears that the frame may have been shortened looking at the bottoms of the frame rails, which look a little ragged, but it could just be dirt. And it has an additional plate attached to the ouside of the frame for reinforcement. Another thing done to many shortened frames, but also done on plenty of farm trucks as well. Maybe it was shortened?

Jeff

The '41-'42 models used the lighter small truck type bumper, like your truck has. The later post war trucks used a heavier channel type bumper.

One more question/clarification. The 300 series means a "2-ton" class, right?

It's titled as a 46, but I presume the sale date drives that and not the made-on date.

I'm not as worried about the specific year, anyway.

It's the short wheel base on the ground vs. the long wheel base in the books that made me dizzy. This truck is 2000 miles away from me, in Shingle Springs, CA. It's about 2 hours away from George Moniz, and I've already talked to him about maybe finding someone in the area that can look the truck over in person for me. Looks like it's gonna take someone in person to look for answers as to if the frame is shortened, or if the frame doesnt match the current ID tag.

I want the short-wheel base, but I'm uneasy now until I know it was done "right". The seller is asking $2000 for the truck. Needs brakes redone cuz only the parking brake works. The owner's gonna hook up gas and battery today and let me know if the engine starts/runs. He thinks it will.

I'm trying to decide between this GMC, and an art-deco Chevy dump truck:
http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/macx/LookingToBuy

The asking price of the Chevy is $3000. Runs/drives/dumps/front brakes work. But, clearly is hiding some more serious rust issues under the implement paint. I'm looking for a drive/use/work truck, and not a show truck anyway, so those issues arent really a show stopper.

http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0016.html

In later 47-55 New Design GMC trucks, I think that 250 designated 1-tom, 300 designated 1.5 ton, and 350 designated 2-ton. I do not know if the series numbers had the same meaning prior to 1947.

This link agrees with you that the 250 series is a 1-ton.

Then it goes up to 280, then 300, and on.

I dont know if the 280 is the 1.5 ton, or the 300. I've found pages where the 303 is refferred to as a 2ton, and others where it's a 1.5 ton.

Since I dont even know if the CC303 tag applies to this truck, it doesnt effect much of anything... I just couldnt satisfy my own curiosity on whether to call it a 1.5 or a 2 ton...

I've asked the current owner to measure it. He walked it off the other day without a tape, and said 11 or 12 feet.

After staring at those pictures a lot, I'm starting to convince myself that it really is over 13 feet, and is the 160" wb.

300 series would indeed be considered a 1 1/2 ton. A 280 series (which is a "Rare" truck,you don't see that many) would be a 1 1/4 ton. 350 series is a 2 ton, 400 series 2 1/2 ton, 450 series 3 ton, & 470 series 3 1/2 ton.

Last note to wrap this up. The current owner just called and came up with 14 feet and change, so I figger he must've measured a little long, and that it is the 160" wb.

He put gas in the carb and hooked up a battery, and once he figured out that it starts with the foot stomp and not the key, he said it fired right up. Fuel lines and fuel pump arent hooked up or servicable, though, so in terms of getting bids for transport, it's not drive-able on and off a trailer.

Thanks for confirmation that this is officially a 1.5 ton.

I just gotta decide if it's worth $3500 total to me, or should I keep waiting till I find one close to home...

Thanks fellas,

Keith

the 280 is 1.25 the 300 is a 1.5 and the 350 is a 2.
what does it say for max gvw on the tag? if its a 350 it will be 16,000 lbs. that what my 350 is. but then if the tag was swapped then it wouldnt matter. i know the 46 350 had a two speed rear which mounted on the dash left of the steering wheel and i dont see it. after looking at it go head and buy it if you havent yet thats a beautiful truck with only minor improvements needed. youll have plenty of time to sort it out after its yours.

I have to say that based on the asking prices I've seen for what should really have been labeled "scrap metal"...both of those units are a steal and leave plenty of room for even major rebuilds. Both are great looking trucks, keep us posted whatever you decide. Best of luck.

The story gets more complicated. A third truck is now competing for my attention. This one I looked at last year, and passed on to a fellow bolter. He's decided he wants the tires, and will give the truck to me with the old tires he's gonna put on it, if I want it enough to get it brought home. So, free is an awful compelling price. It's advance design instead of prewar, and I really kinda wanted a pre-war design. And a much bigger project. I need a big truck and big project like I need a hole in my head, though. Like Alvin says though, a truck can always earn its keep, you cant have too many...

Looks like I'm gonna let the Chevy in K'zoo Michigan go. I'll socialize the link to that ad in the craigslist/ebay forum.

About to finalize the deal for the GMC in california for $1500. After taking delivery of the truck and title, if the engine/trans/rear/ram-hoist are all serviceable and no major rebuilds or replacements are required, then we finish the deal with a trade of a collectable item that I own, but got for free many many years ago, and have no sentimental attachement to...

Gonna put a listing on the Hauling forum just-in-case, but probably will get transport hooked up through uship.

Later in the year, I'll probably also find a way to haul this one home to Texas, cuz I cant pass up a freebie...

Keith

The yellow one('41-'47) looks clean and 'unmolested,' however, the price seems about $2000. too high, especially since it is far away-you didn't say where it is. Since it appears so nice, Keep track of it, sometimes things change. The 228 engine is easily replaced w/ a 302-they look the same-for cheaper parts and more HP. If a pickup would work for you also, keep looking.

Hey MacX --- That's one pretty sweet looking freebie! Congrats! And what part of Texas...I'm down in Houston.

Dallas area. Hopefully I can find as compelling a price on a hauling job to get it down here.

Regarding the 45 GMC ... I have a driver lined up to go get it for me next week.

In the mean time, the title has arrived. The vin number on the title matches the pattern for an engine number. I was expecting a GMC 228 engine in this truck, but the title identifies it as a 236. Wont find out for sure if it still has the factory original engine, till the truck arrives, but the PO assured me that he believes that it still has the factory engine.

I've never seen a 236, or even seen one for sale, or anyone looking for one. I'm a little excited about it... The more things that make this truck rare and unique, the more I feel like I found a pretty good bargain.

Keith.

it was rare just like the 256. there is a 46 gmc 350 that i get parts from for my 40 on occasion it has a 256 in it. with all the differences in engine sizes the good news is they all have the same footprint, except that is for the military versions but are adaptable