Jonathan Peiffer's 1939 Chevy 3/4-Ton Pickup Truck

17 August 2007 Update
# 1754

From Jonathan :

           When I moved to Arizona in 1992, I had some money to spend on a vehicle.  I had my eyes on a Chevy S-10 because my Dad had a 1986 while I was in high school. It had no power steering, which the dealer made him sign an agreement that he wouldn't refuse it from the factory and a 5 speed. My Dad learned to drive in 1946 first series 1-1/2-ton Chevy box trucks and believed firmly a truck should be a truck.

           When I moved into my apartment complex I saw an old truck in the parking lot. I instantly fell in love with it. I told myself at the time that if it were for sale, I would buy it. Imagine my surprise when two weeks later there was a for sale sign in the window. I talked with the owner and learned that it was a 1939 Chevy 3/4-ton. He had done most of the work on it to date, after he recovered it from a salvage yard in the Phoenix area in 1989. Before he would sell it to me, he gave me driving lessons to make sure I could drive it.

           Driving the non-synchronized 4 speed was an immediate challenge, but I bought it anyway. I clearly knew nothing about what I was getting into, but I've kept it ever since and have learned that the only way to add to my knowledge base on this truck is to learn it the hard way. With some help from my now deceased Father in law, we found a new (1948) engine for it in lovely Gila Bend, Arizona. We installed it and maintained it ourselves.

           It was a great driver for many years until other priorities (kids, job, the usual) prevented me from driving as often as I would like. Now I drive it only occasionally, but wish I could drive it more!

           I am blessed to have a wife who understands what it means to me even if I can't always justify the money I put into it! See some pictures in my Photobucket.

Jonathan Peiffer
39 AZ 3/4 Ton
Bolter # 13238
Phoenix, Arizona

27 December 2006
# 1754

From Jonathan :

           I would like to include my Chevy in the Gallery. I have owned this 1939 3/4-ton truck since 1992. It was purchased from a gentleman moving out of state when I was all of 23 years old in nearly the condition you see here, for a whopping $2400. Over 14 years later, I'm still not sure what I have gotten myself into, but it has been a joy owning this wonderful piece of history.

           It is a nearly-original Arizona truck and the quality of the sheet metal attests to the fact that few things rust in the desert. The work I have done to it since I have owned it includes replacing the engine block (still a 216), getting authentic wheel rims and tires for it, rebuilding the Carter carburetor once, cleaning and sealing the gas tank, some minor electrical work and generally maintaining it in operating condition.

           It has the original 4-speed transmission and I can finally say that I no longer worry about double clutching my 1998 pickup and single clutching the old Chevy.

           I believe the original color was Brewster Blue which I found evidence of after removing the inside of a door panel, but I can't be sure. As you can see, I need to get a hood ornament and the hood trim pieces for it. I think I have finally succumbed to the idea that a reproduction will do the job.

           Eventually, I plan on getting this truck to as near original condition as I can.

Jonathan Peiffer
39 AZ 3/4 Ton
Bolter # 13238
Phoenix, Arizona