I acquired my 1940 Chev 1/2 ton truck in 1990, and it was fitted with a tray (flat top). About 4 years ago I saw a picture of a similar GMC pickup and thought how good it looked. Another year passed with time spent surfing the net, making enquiries, etc. before I ordered the bed from Jim Carter. I was lucky with freight, as a cousin brings in machinery from the states & included my pars in a container, all at no cost! Over the next 3 years I sourced timber, made some small parts, altered the body mounts to suit my Australian built cab as it is different to the US one, etc. I didn't want to put modern lights on the rear, so repro tail/stop lights are used, with small indicators from a motorcycle fitted into the rolls at the top of the sides. LED globes make them extremely bright. The last few bits were fitted at the weekend and I am now turning heads! There are a couple of 50's pickups in my area, but no 40's models, so I feel like a rat with a gold tooth when I venture into town! I live 250 miles east of Adelaide, 350 north of Melbourne & 600 west of Sydney, so it is pretty isolated. If you look on a map of Australia & note where the Murray & Darling Rivers meet, I'm in that area. I'd like to thank the staff at Jim Carters for all of their help & guidance, and the few people on the forum who, through their posts, have made the job easy. Merry Christmas to all. Bob
Great looking truck Bob! And I really like the color.
John, from what I understand from Tim, a tray is a flat bed/utility bed.
Don
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery 1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
Thanks all for the comments. I got the truck from an older bloke, who was actually a Ford man & it didn't fit his stable. He restored in 1982 and it always looked a bit odd with a 1940 cab & a 1982 tray. It is pretty much standard except for the motor, which is a '54 Blue Flame, and a power brake booster fitted under the bed. I fitted the Coker Classic radial tyres and can't believe how it now steers & rides. I believe that the colour is an International truck red. Bob (Riggles)
Beautiful job Bob! Love the color, the wheel & tires. The result makes the three years of hard work worth it!
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion. Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
Wow Bob, now that’s an awesome looking truck!!! Terrific job on the bed and the entire truck. You don’t see many that look like yours, so that makes it a real eye catcher. Never heard of “A rat with a gold tooth” before, but that’s what ya got! I like the oil can on the side too. Thanks for sharing the story and pics with us.
Chuck 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original) 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod) 1941 Chevy coupe 1938 Chevy coupe streetrod