Well I do like to learn and be challenged on such things.
This was my first restoration (yes some people like to start off small and step up to bigger things, I came across this and the price was good, condition was very good so couldn't pass it up).
I did not have the information, or access to the info, when I commenced this restoration in 1991, so it was info learned and picked up as I went and from other vehicles and people. Since then I have other vehicles and the research bug has kicked in some more and I have not come back to this truck. However, approx. 2012 I visited the AWM and looked through the records and took many pics for this truck and BGC info.
The chassis number is 38443.....the first prefix is for the year and the next 4 are for the chassis model identification.
When I bought the truck it was registered as a 1944 model.
It is fitted with 44 Armour Glass.
Yes the truck had an engine change/rebuild, as when I stripped the engine down the mileage was painted on the left side of the engine block (what was readable). What you have told me now makes sense to me with the AWM126 records for that ARN and the engine swap was done in 1960 (not sure what the other numbers mean- code for engine/location???)
3 BOD I believe is Seymour area, this is where it was disposed of.
I have found another truck that has similar manufacturing details and changes to mine, it had its data plates in it and it was a (from memory) 44 or 45 model.
So, with limited info I presumed part of it's history. I know, presumption is bad...I have learned that in my job in the ADF.
When sold off, it went to the Urana Shire as a fire truck, then it sat around as a back up unit, was sold off by the shire in a town clean up and bought by a truck wreckers in Wodonga. This is where I came in and bought it, in 1991.
It had just over 14000 miles on it at the time, painted red, missing the tail gate and had some other fire truck features.
It has been a great learning experience.