Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America's Auburn Spring event,
May 11-13, 2017.
Chassis No.
95011
Estimate:
$ 3,000 - $ 6,000 US
The U.S. Army 2-1/2-ton series, 6x6 trucks were the most widely
used tactical transport vehicle of World War II. Over 800,000 were
produced, 562,750 by GMC alone. The first GMC 2-1/2-ton, 6x6 was
basically a six-wheel drive commercial type, designated the
ACKWX-353, which entered production in 1939. The French government
ordered a sizable number of ACKWX-353s in 1939 which were diverted
to the British when France fell to the Germans in 1940. Also in
1940, the AFKWX version of the 2-1/2-ton, 6x6 went into production.
The code name AFKWX-353, translated as follows: A= 1939; F= forward
control; K= front wheel drive; W= tandem rear axle; X= non-standard
wheelbase; 353= 164-inch wheelbase. Early production models
featured a pressed-steel, commercial cab and grille. As production
progressed, the all-steel enclosed cab was replaced by a simplified
cab, as displayed, with a canvas roof and side doors. The GMC AFKWX
was produced in both a 352 version (145-inch wheelbase) and the 353
version, as displayed, (164-inch wheelbase). The 353 cargo body was
produced in two lengths: 15-feet (as displayed) and 17-feet. The
6x6 GMC AFKWX series only accounted for 7,232 of the 562,750 GMC
produced 2-1/2-ton trucks manufactured during WWII.
