1942 Chevy 1/2 ton Pickup
Found my truck by asking around. Heard that a guy in Bend, Oregon had a 1942 pickup that had been parked 40 years, was almost complete (including the original hubcaps), and he wanted it to go to someone who could make it drivable again. Bert sent me 3 pictures and I knew this would be my next project. We made a deal over the phone and I made plans with my friend, Vern to haul it back to Medford, Oregon, about 4 hrs away.
The story goes, it was built in Oakland, California in November,1941, bought from the Chevy dealer in Medford by a couple from Prospect, Or., that's on the way to Crater Lake.
Resold and moved from Rogue River to the Applegate Valley and finally to Bend in the late 1970's.
Engine was froze tight so I soaked the cylinders with Marvel Mystery Oil. Rebuilt carb., distributor, new wires, sparkplugs, replace frozen waterpump, new radiator. It runs good, now what? Brakes and rewire, time to pull the dash.
Bench seat is getting reupholstered and the exhaust header pipe and glasspack replaced.
Plan is to drive it with patina on the outside and paint the interior.
In the70's the engine was swapped out for a 1953 Belair 235 cu.in. automatic, he kept the 4 speed. The new engine came with a stock oil filter also.
A spare engine and 4 spd. transmission followed us home in the bed of the truck, we're lucky it didn't fall thru the floor.
In checking the casting numbers on the block I found it was cast in 1956 and on my birthday, its an omen, keep this engine and build it, more ponies.
This truck was run hard and not cleaned or maintained well, needs lots of pressure washing or steam cleaning.
All total really like the truck's bodystyle and history. He's a keeper.
GARY KINNEY, PHOENIX, OREGON
Last edited by Gary42; 12/28/2021 6:49 PM. Reason: Update engine swap out
