A 'virtual garage' of antique Chevy & GMC trucks from around the World

1948 Chevrolet 1-Ton Grain Truck

28 January 2008
# 2201

From Andrew :

          My truck is a 1948 Chevrolet, serial #8143301321, engine #X211133 and Oshawa built.  It is a 1-ton with hydraulic dump, model #1433 (model #3803 to you folks in the USA). The engine is a 216 ci 6-cylinder. I have identified the paint and interior codes as #830 Commercial Blue paint and #394 Brown Leatherette trim. It was originally shipped as “cab and chassis” so the grain box [ see pix ] was probably built by the owner. This is a Saskatchewan grain truck and is in great, very original condition. Even the cab corners and door bottoms are excellent. This truck spent most of its time on the farm so it hasn’t been registered for many years. It has 7.00 x 17s tires on the front and 7.50 x 17s on the rear.

          I am part way through a frame-off project on a 1949 Studebaker 2R5 1/2-ton but I won’t be taking that route with the Chevy. My first task is to get Nova Scotia registration sorted out then I’ll go on to getting the engine running. I’d like to have gone over all the systems and have it safety inspected, plated and on the road by spring – barring any major problems.

          I’d love to leave it just the way it is but that won’t work here in Nova Scotia with the damp, salty air conditions. Not only that, the grain box and structures are very much deteriorated and the wood structure has failed. In order to achieve my goal (a safe, slightly rough, very original summer driver and work vehicle which is well protected from the dampness), I will have to paint the body and install all new weather seals.

          I haven’t decided what to do about that dent in the front yet. It is a part of the truck yet I would like to realign the hood and ensure the hood latch fits. It is a slippery slope from what I have now to a “trailer queen” so I will proceed with great caution. I love “patina” but I have already pulled about a bushel of wheat, mouse nests and several birds nests out of the cab. I am working on making the cab water tight so a degree of change is inevitable.

          I have found the web forums very positive, friendly and helpful with my Stude. I look forward to the same here.

Regards,
Andrew

          ~What a gorgeous find!  You will find a whole bunch of Bolters up there in Canada so have fun with her and keep us updated! ~ Gallery Gal

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