The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts New guy from Alaska needs some help

We have a new fellow (Steve) who just joined in from Alaska who came across a cool 4x4 COE. He needs some help with identifying it.

He talked to John for a bit and they ruled out it being a '39-'40. It has some Navy markings on it and it seemed as if it was used as a fire service truck. (I'm gonna bring the Stovebolt Volunteer Fire Department in on this, too.)

Steve is real excited about his find on the island where he is working. He eventually will take it back to Washington State ... so he also wants to know Stovebolters in the neighborhood!

Once we get a little detail on the truck, we'll be able to start a DITY submission and then one for the Gallery, so Steve can keep us up to date on his progress.

Thanks for the help gang,
Peg

1941-1942 military fire truck. It looks like the frame has been shortened. Here's another one: http://www.cars4sale.pro/detail/ca/oBBUBBApABpTATcApnBU/1942-Chevrolet-COE-Factory-4X4-Fire-Truck

Well, if he is coming down to WA and needs to ship it, I work for Totem Ocean Trailer Express and can get him a discount bringing it down. And I'm in Tenino, WA.

I knew you guys would know some stuff.

Fred, he is going to have to put it on a "barge," I think he said. Once he gets on here, he'll be able to tell you more. (We have to get him past the three post thing, too ... LOL).

Hope he wasn't part of the earth quake up there early this morning. ??? Surprised I haven't heard from him yet. I think I've sent him 10 emails.

Peg

Peggy et al,

They are built on the same platform as the conventional G506, and as Sput mentioned they are pre-to-early ww2. Most were long wheel based trucks made for hauling radio antennas (which AK was a good place for them at the time), so it might not have been originally a firetruck. Of the firetrucks, they saw action on airfields as crash trucks. Cool trucks for sure! Baldybenny has one, I am certain he knows something about them.

Paul

That Quake was no big deal. We have them in south-central all the time.

I love the old navy rigs up here. I have a Willys M38 Navy jeep that came out of Kodiak. Well, some of its left anyway.

Here are some more pictures of them:

Pic
Pics and info

The Howe tags match between his truck and the truck in the second link, leading me to believe his was in fact originally a fire truck.

My company has 2 ships that go to Anchorage and Tacoma. We are a Rollon/Rolloff Vessel and can put anything on it. So if it is still an option I can help.

Please reply with your contact info.

Call me any time at 907-305-0359

Steven P. Williams
Wrangell AK

The Cab-Over-Engine G506 Symbol NX was not the 'crash truck' (those are NZ and YZ trucks) its just a fire truck and I also don't think they were standard chassis.. the wheelbase is MUCH longer (175 vs 135) and sheet metal was supplied by Kidde or Howe.

Definitely rare, but unless complete not super valuable.

The first link is dead, and the link for the second red fire truck is heavily modified and missing TONS of parts. I doubt any of the original apparatus is there. Plus with all that added on weight on the front axle its gotta be torn up.

Steven,

Here is the post I put in the Stovebolt Volunteer Fire Department. chadkiser has a link to some cool fire aparatus pix on another site.

(Might be inspiring for you.)

Sorry this is late posting. I've had gray screen and blue screen issues almost all morning. Four hours with Dell ... I'm slowly scootching the computer to the window ledge.

Peg
(using John's computer)

Steven,

Here is another good thread for you to look at. (Sorry, no email but my computer is dead.)

The GM Heritage Center has finally stepped up and added some helpful information. You can actually call and talk to those people now, too.

Keith Hardy, has an extensive listing of important manuals and documents associated with a vast array of trucks.

Some of the specific stuff you are looking for, you may find there. AND ... you can actually talk to Keith, too.

If you feel like giving it a try, give Jim Carter a call. He told us in Kansas City last year, he would be happy to talk to folks about their truck project(s). There may be a little phone tag involved, but you'll eventually be able to speak with him. If the truck is rare, he'll know that ... and that will peak his interest. We have a few guys on here who had Jim all worked up with their truck find. Howard Keith was one of them with his 1936 GMC T-14 1/2-Ton Pickup (be sure to read the feature story about the GM commercial they shot ... very cool).

Anyway ... just a few more resources for you to check.

Peg

Thank you for the reply to my posts. I am in the market for a great old truck to restore with my boys. I am about to make an offer that just goes beyond scrap metal prices to date. I am more than willing to see this project through but not put a major dent in my wallet for it either. Would you agree that this truck is worth at least that offer. Last check on scrap metal prices here in the Northwest was around 150 per ton. If the thing weighs in around 2 tons then that seems right to me.
Your thoughts or any one who has an educated guess would be appreciated.

Thanks again and keep on truckin!

Feel free to call me any time.

Steven P. Williams
Wrangell, Alaksa
907-305-0359

A G506 is gonna be 3-4 tons easy.

Price? As a buyer I look at whats there.. not the story or how rare it is as most 'rare' trucks seldom have the parts that make them 'rare'.

For a parts truck (does not run/no brakes/needs sheet metal but otherwise complete) up to $2000 MAX. Without the proper bed then $1000 MAX. The motor and bed are about the only thing of value and cannot be easily found. Adjust downward for everything missing. For a fire truck if its not already on the truck the odds of finding the parts is extremely low.

For a restored truck you are going to be in the $4k-$8k range unless its a COMPLETE/Rare (with accessories) truck. An average amateur restored G506 for $6k is a good deal. Oddly enough TIRES are the biggest issue at this level. Re-shoeing a G506 with tiers (NDT or civvies) is a $3k expense.

Ignore any and all awards. Especially 'MVPA awards' for anything other than a jeep. Jeeps have a fairly well documented history. Trucks, not so much.

Don't forget shipping costs... that can add 20-50% and is an expense you must bear.

pf -- that's pretty solid advice.