I found numbers !

[rob love]

I guess I can see where my response could be confusing so here goes:

First, the DND/CAR/CFR numbers, or Cdn Army Registration/Canadian Forces Registration. This was a number assigned to the vehicles (in domestic use only) kind of like a license plate or registration number. Up to 1942, it took the format of year-1-number (I have seen up to 4 digits for the number). For instance, an old 1940 15cwt I had was number 41-1-1076. The numbers seem to have been assigned in batches within the regions. Here in Shilo I found record of sequential numbers being assigned to a staff car, various CMPs, and a dump truck.

By 42/43 the DND numbers changed formats, and even vehicles with the old numbers had the new format assigned. It was two digits-followed by 3 digits. For instance, yours with 83-309. This number would have been painted on the side armour of a carrier, or on the doors of a cmp. It would have been painted over the first version of the DND number if applicable. Again, this was only on vehicles used domestically.

In the 1950s, a new CAR number system (later known as the CFR) was used and is still used today. It comprised the last two digits of the year of acceptance into the military followed by a 5 digit sequential number. For instance, 52-30012. This number was normally painted on the sides of the vehicle, and almost always stamped on either the frame rail or onto the hulls of the armoured vehicles. It was quite common to find a 1 used as a dash between the year and the sequential number. Today, the last 5 digits of the CFR are used as the license plate numbers on DND vehicles. This system is used on DND vehicles wherever they serve, although on UN service I have seen UN numbers attached, but we still worked by the CFRs for recording and maintenance purposes.

It sounds like your vehicle, with the second version of the DND number, had it's number stamped onto the front plate as per the 50s system. It could indicate that your vehicle served fairly late in service, or just that someone took the time to do it.