I'm the Director of the ag department at a small community college; this has been stored in our Ag Shop. We needed to move out of that shop before the new shop to be built, so it is currently setting outside. I am reaching people around here for the history, and have searched for GMC/Van Pelt fire truck online but haven't found anything yet. Did find another clue. This plate is on the Fire Body and a person thinks the 51 in the serial number may be the year. I'll be searching for a 1951 GMC Van Pelt and see if I get anything.