34?? dodge humpback identification

[Guest mswank]

i just got a 34? dodge brothers humpback panel truck, but im trying to find out a little about them and find out if it is a 34, the old owner thinks he has a title, but...im told theres some 12 or so known to exist for 34, on the right hand side of the frame behind the spring shakle is stamped 9305037 as far as i can tell, whats that mean? how do i decifer that? any information or help would be greatly appreciated, thanks

[Manuel]

They were made in 1933 HC, 1934 & 35 KC.

The early KC's had suicide doors and the later ones had normal doors.

R all the digits correct in that no.?

My list says 9200000 for that era.

Hope this helps.

Manuel in Oz

[Guest mswank]

it is 9205037 and is a KCL with suicide doors, thanks for the help

[Guest DodgeKCL]

I have the 'books' here in front of me but it's difficult to figure out the numbers. Generally speaking a 9XXXXXX number means Canadian production but one book shows the Los Angeles plant as making 5766 1/2 ton trucks in late '34 and into '35 as 1935 model KCs and KCLs using 9XXXXXX numbers. But the numbers start at 9203202 and end at 9201537 which I believe must be a misprint. I assume that the 9201537 is actually 9205537 which would include your KCL. Canada just started building KC(L)s in late '34 along with California so I assume if you are near the western United States then you have a Los Angeles vehicle but if in Canada you have a Windsor produced vehicle. No serial numbers are given for Canadian vehicles but all CPDD production in the middle to late 30s used the 9XXXXXX series of numbers. I have a KCL here in Canada but it was bought by a Canadian company in October 1935 and is one of the last to come from Detroit production and be imported into Canada. It was imported just as a 'Cowl and Chassis' but only because Canadian production was only building complete vehicles. It's number is 8071921 which is a Detroit number and I have the build sheet for it. You should send $25 away to Chrysler Historical and get your build sheet. You just need the 9205307 number. Good luck. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Guest mswank]

ok, would you happen to have an adress to the Chrysler Historical place, and what would i make a check out to, just give them a note in with it saying i'd like a build sheet for 9205037 kcl? or what? also - would you happen to know a value for these old humpbacks, fully restored in excelent condition? see i own and work at a custom shop, i dont exactly do restorations but this is one i may have to restore, but there will probably be a hot rod frame built to fit aswell, just wont chop the body, thanks

[DodgeSavesUMoney]

This will help you get started with tracking down the build sheet...

http://www.dodgebrothersclub.org/dbcwebsite/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=903&page_id=2

[Guest DodgeKCL]

The humpbacks or 'Commercial Cars' as Dodge called them are very rare now. They weren't originally as many thousands were built but any commercial vehicle is in short supply today. The humpbacks are very desirable to collectors and it would be a shame to see yours hot rodded.The drive train is very simple and comes from the small Plymouth and Dodge automobiles of those years. I know my '35 KCL has the exact same transmission in it as my '33 Plymouth. I don't know how much a humpback would bring in full restoration but it would be more likely to win some trophies in original form than in hot rodded condition.I've always thought that hot rodding is the easy way to get a vehicle back on the road and basically makes it a brand new truck/car but you can buy a 2006 model truck at the local dealer any time. The uniqueness of an original Dodge Commercial Car would mean you would always be pretty sure you would be the only one at the shows with one. But once the body is chopped and the frame cut you can forget getting more sheet metal/fender and frame parts. I had to repair my sheet metal because I could not find any after many years of looking. Any one who has a humpback will not let any sheet metal go because it seems you have what came on your truck and that's it. However I do know that the front fenders are shared with the '33 Dodge DP car. The 16" steel wheels can be taken from a car as well. The tires are 6:00/16" black walls and are easy to get from Coker Tire Co. or any of the dealers. The running gear/driveline is common but the body/frame/rear fenders are unique to the humpbacks. I would think you would enjoy the vehicle more if you restored it rather than hot rodded it. From what I can see in the photo you have a very good start. More than I had. Good luck I hope your restore it.(Although the link to the Dodge Brothers site says that the build sheet is $45 , it is only $25 for trucks. The Chrysler historical outfit says this is because they are unable to decipher the build sheet data. However this site and the Dodge truck site has most ,if not all, the info needed to unravel what's on the build sheet.)

[Guest mswank]

pretty much decided to restore it, i know the front end wont be that hard to come by, im not afraid of building new and patch panels, after all its what i do, the body will not be cut up, but during the frame off, a new chassis will be built and and be able to change the body over, will have to look into it farther but from what i've looked at so far, it should be fairly simple, but what is there will be completely restored, its just cool as is, and would make great advertising and an around town parts chaser

[Guest manofire]

Hello i just wanted to know if you found any info on ur humpback me and my buddy have been working on what seems to be the same "looking humpback" email with more info and more pics and i will share mine .....thank you manofire72@yahoo.com

[countrytravler]

Bump

Wonder how he did 10 years ago.