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Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Cars / April 2005

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$25 to identify this 1953 Dodge

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YouSuckI'mOK - 06 Apr 2005 01:03 GMT
1953 Dodge

Info tag states

TYPE BD4    (translates to 1-ton vehicle, 1953)

VEH#/CHASSIS 81469947   (translates to being a 1953 B-D-4 built in Detroit)

B-4-D-126        (translates to 126 inch wheelbase)

MODEL DWS109  (here I am lost - never saw that model code before)

Pictures are here -

http://www.inet-lender.com/1953Dodge/

So far, I purchased the DUNN books (no mention or pictures of this type) and
the 1953 Dodge Trucks Shop Manual (no reference to this type)

Pretty Please?
nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca - 06 Apr 2005 03:25 GMT
>1953 Dodge
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
>http://www.inet-lender.com/1953Dodge/

The body was not built by Dodge. It is a custom carrier of some type,
likely built for a large fleet owner (kinda like UPS trucks today. Or
like the Grumman Kerbsiders of the eighties. (Said GM on them, but GM
had nothing to do with the bodies) Sears used to have special van
bodies for their service trucks in some markets.
Also, there were quite a few custom body builders still active in the
fifties .

>So far, I purchased the DUNN books (no mention or pictures of this type) and
>the 1953 Dodge Trucks Shop Manual (no reference to this type)
>
>Pretty Please?
Vash the Stampede - 13 Apr 2005 04:59 GMT
On Tue, 05 Apr 2005 22:25:04 -0400, nospam.clare.nce wrote:

>>1953 Dodge
>>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Also, there were quite a few custom body builders still active in the
> fifties .

Like DIVCO? Love to get my hands on one of theirs. Some guy where I worked
in the 80's had one (a big one) and had DIVCO in rainbow lettering across
the jet black sides. It was pretty cool...if you like big DIVCOs. Either
that or the van in the pictures would make a pretty cool "Band Wagon"...

>>So far, I purchased the DUNN books (no mention or pictures of this type) and
>>the 1953 Dodge Trucks Shop Manual (no reference to this type)
>>
>>Pretty Please?
nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca - 06 Apr 2005 04:27 GMT
>1953 Dodge
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
>Pretty Please?

Upon closer inspection, the front end sure looks a lot like an old
Mercedes. The "star" used to fit in the center circle. The "job rated"
grille, as well as the instruments are definitely fifties Dodge, as is
the chassis and engine. At least part of the chassis. The rails have
been extended.(see picture 3ef4 and 3e8c))
I have not been able to find a picture of the original van, but I'm
almost 100% positive this is a euro van body grafted to the Dodge
chassis - I've seen that body before - in Africa in the seventies, and
it was old then.
YouSuckI'mOK - 06 Apr 2005 04:53 GMT
>>1953 Dodge
>>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> chassis - I've seen that body before - in Africa in the seventies, and
> it was old then.

Good call - however, Mercedes never had dual windshields or sliding doors.

I ordered the build-sheets from the Chrysler Historical Collection, maybe
that will provide some insight.

If you have any links/pics from those vans in Africa, the lead would be
appreciated.
nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca - 07 Apr 2005 04:36 GMT
>>>1953 Dodge
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>If you have any links/pics from those vans in Africa, the lead would be
>appreciated.

I've done more looking - and I think you have a real mongrel. The
Step-van (bread van) box MAY have originally been installed on the
Dodge chassis, or a Ford, or International, or GMC. The grille has
been modified. The inner section APPEARS to be Mercedes - and the bars
are definitely from a B series Dodge.
 
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