GMC RESTORATION ON GOING, need helps

[Robbby84]

Hi guy!
I'm Rob from Italy and I'm here to tell you about my CCKW 353.
I bought it last year and now, after my Dodge restoration (http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=155494) , I started to restore it.
Part of restoration was made from last owner ( new rebuilt engine, banjos checked, frame primed, ecc ecc): me, an my father, started our work from the body: during its 67 years of life ,it was used hard and with no respect
Unfortunatly the last owner unpainted it totally , so I can't find original numbers or any simbols.But he told me that he found this numbers on hood:

41 8 6105 ( number eight had a circle all around, diameter 3", other numbers height 4")

There was the broken circle star , also, on the hood.

There was, I don't know where exactly, these letters:

CO FT
1097
WT 10100

Anyone could tell me something about these letters/numbers and hood's numbers???
If you try to put "CO FT" on google, it says " Commanding Oficers": what does it means?

Thank you guys.
And now, some pics of GMC:

[Ben Dover]

The "CO FT" could be cu. ft."
the "WT" could translate to weight. It may have ben stenciled on the truck as part of the shipping data.

[backsink]

Before I saw jeep mechanic's post above, the same thought occurred to me about "cu ft". That reference would complement the weight notation.

[Ben Dover]

Looks like Roberto is enjoying a smooth ride in his cab. It will be quite different when it is operational.

[Robbby84]

Thank you!
So we found that are shipping stencils. But, what about the hood's number?? And what about this:



In these sunny days (in Italy ) I painted completly frame and axles.Some pics:









Ciao!

[BillyClanton]

Those little dome-shaped slots in the stake pockets mean that it's a European bed, I think. Its lookin' good. Wish mine was that far along.
Billy

[Robbby84]

Hi Billy,
probably the cargo bed was used by french army or switzerland. I have already welded iron dome-shaped to clese these holes

[Ben Dover]

The body does exhibit the characteristics of a Post War European body.

[Robbby84]

Hi Ben,

except the half-holes, what are main differences between a WAR cargo bed and a POST-WAR cargo bed?

Thank you

R.

[Ben Dover]

The Cross members that support the floor, the tie down hooks are stamped on the replacement body, also thethickness of the metal is consistant with the metric system and not quite the same Guage thickness as those from Bud and Heil. Tie down hooks on early syeel body were forged, and those on composite were wire type (made of bent rod) there are more differences, but that is all I can think of at the moment. Note the half round holes on your body, they a smmetrical and clean cut as opposed to the rough cut mods that were done mostly by post war users. The mod is not strictly post war tho, as there is mention of venting yje stale pockets in WWII Ordnance Dept. literature.

[Hammerhead]

Hi Robby,
The restoration you and your father did on the Dodge was incredible and deserves the highest praise! I see you are coming along well with the restoration of your CCKW now! I know you guys will do just as great a job on this vehicle too. Please keep posting pictures of your ongoing restoration!!

[Jeroen Sleijpen]

The Cross members that support the floor, the tie down hooks are stamped on the replacement body, also thethickness of the metal is consistant with the metric system and not quite the same Guage thickness as those from Bud and Heil. Tie down hooks on early syeel body were forged, and those on composite were wire type (made of bent rod) there are more differences, but that is all I can think of at the moment. Note the half round holes on your body, they a smmetrical and clean cut as opposed to the rough cut mods that were done mostly by post war users. The mod is not strictly post war tho, as there is mention of venting yje stale pockets in WWII Ordnance Dept. literature.

Most wartime modifications on the stake pockets where made with torches... So no clean cuts.
One other thing that is different on the German made Th. Klatte cargo bodies is the hinge of the tail gate. Wartime uses a one piece round metal bar while the german post war version used 2 pieces.

[Ben Dover]

And these post war features can be noted on many of the trucks in the CCKW books we collectors all enjoy.

[Jeroen Sleijpen]

Most CCKW's in Europe, got their original beaten up wood or steel cargo beds replaced by new ones, mainly build by TH. Klatte in Germany.

[Ben Dover]

And the quickest way to identify one of late replacement bodies are the flat stamped Tie Down Hooks that are welded on and the symmetrical half round holes at the bottom of the stake pockets.