Production date of ATE Ross steering boxes

[70bus]

Aside from early ones that had a circle with a stamped date, I didn't see any production figures or other info on steering boxes. Mine had these numbers cast and stamped:

I did not see anything else stamped or etched, but perhaps the rebuilder will uncover some when cleaned. Meanwhile, any ideas on the hand-stamped figures? Has anyone seen a production number/date that can be used to infer manufacture period?

Still had the lead seal, but no mark on it visible.
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Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams

Raoul the 65 singlecab

Karl the 70 nine-seater

[Stocknazi]

Glad you posted this, because I've always been curious about the ATE all cast steel construction boxes vs the ZF with aluminum cover. The ATE units seem like they are less common. Unfortunately, most parts do not interchange between the two manufactures.

Interestingly enough, most all my buses have ATE boxes and my spare parts boxes are mostly ZF, go figure???
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WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).

"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Thomas Jefferson

[70bus]

So far this was the only other ATE box I could clearly see a number on (most are filthy in the pics!). Also from a 1965 bus, I contacted the owner about production date.

If those are serial numbers, his box is about 106K units before mine. As long as his was built before May 65 we might get a guess on how many a month they made. Or confirmation someone has a replaced box!

It might also be fun to compile data on what buses had ATE boxes - year, type. Of course, my idea of 'fun' is a little off... Anyways, there needs to be a reason VW used different boxes, whether supply issues, mechanical issues, strikes, replacement units, etc. Maybe the aluminum tops means ZF units leaked and they eliminated that by switching.

A 66 panel:

less than 40K difference, so not a helpful data point if all of the above boxes are original.
_________________
Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams

Raoul the 65 singlecab

Karl the 70 nine-seater