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.

[Jon Skagfeld]

Ref: 5/4T boxes refurb'd to LSVW vans...

I had heard that Federal prisoners had done the wiring and layout for these conversions.

That explains why the job looks so amateurish.

Lowest bidder after all!

[rob love]

I believe the company name is Corcan (corrections Canada) and they do seem to be able to get favorably low bids. Slave labour perhaps?

There is a very professional looking catalogue of the various products Corcan makes, with an eye towards the DND and other federal departments. For example, they make the infantry locker, with room for the soldiers kit and tailor made to accept the snowshoes.

[Robin Craig]

Rob,

yes they do look different don't they.

need any help with them, always willing to help.

R

[rob love]

The two boxes are listed on the CADC site as having sold today for around $500 each (not to me....to far away).

Someone got a good deal.