Prototype/early 5/4 ton van bodies?

[rob love]

There are a couple of 5/4 ton van bodies over on the CADC site for sale. They are located at RDDC Valcartier. Note the rounded wheel wells and the non-cammed boxes. The only other photo I ever saw of a 5/4 ton with rounded van body wheel wells is in the sample photos in the maintenance manual. The manuals often show the first production vehicles.

I suspect these may have been sample boxes for development of the interiors on the various layouts. Note also the oddball heater on the front (Later production uised the Hunter 15,000 BTU multifuel)

Shame the 5/4 tons had so little history to them...these boxes would be worth saving. Unmolested 5/4 ton boxes are rare, since most were refurbished into LSVW van boxes.