The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts New guy here with '39 or '40 COE Chevy

And I've got a lot of questions. While gathering lots of scrap steel, old farm equipment and such, out of our field, we came upon this truck.

The Good: The cab is good and strait, the engine, tranny, front and rear axles are all here. All the glass is good and in place, as is the grill, and the headlights.

The Bad: The fenders are cut up. The frame from the cab back has been cut off to make a trailer, many years ago, although the original flatbed is still there.

Here\'s a good shot. The rest of the pics are here.

First of all, how do I find out if the truck is a '39 or a '40? Once I get this thing out of the woods, what are some other things I should look for. Any other facts about these trucks, how many made, what engine, tranny, rearend, etc.

I would love to restore this truck, but I already have too many projects in the works. This truck will either be sold as is, parted out, or sold for scrap. Right now though I just need some more info on it.

Any help or information about these trucks would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry I can't help ID the year, it's before my preferred era. It will make some nice parts for those with those relatively rare COE's. Too bad someone took a torch to it,
Scott

Hy ArBlaZeR2, I'm pretty sure it's a 39, it should have a 216 Chevy engine and 4 speed trans, as for the resto prospect as long as the frame is still under the cab, the parts that are cabover peculiar can be transfered to another chassis, hope that helps.

Thanks for the help 3B. Anybody else know anything?

It definitely appears to be a 39. The top bar of the grill is narrow. 40's are about an inch deeper. The 39's are rarer than the 40's in terms of production numbers. I did a check and this would be a rare truck, whatever configuration it ultimately was.

According to my calcs (if I can still add right) there were a total of 4239 COEs total made in 1939. By comparison there were about 11,000 three quarter ton pickups alone built the same year.

Early Chevy Production Numbers

This truck is worth keeping just because the trim is relatively intact. Sheet metal can be fixed, frames can be found, 216's are everywhere, but the trim is the impossible stuff to find - especially that grill.

Some other things to keep in mind. The carb for a COE is supposed to be an updraft carb (fussy at best). 216 was the only engine Chevy made and if the engine is in it check for the following casting numbers to see if it original:

Block Casting Number 838941
Head Casting Number 838773

That would add to value as a restorer.

Good luck. 39's are the best! (okay i'm biased) If I think of anything more, I'll post it.

Thanks, that's exactly the stuff I needed to know!

There should be an ID plate on it; 39 COE truck models VE, VF,VG, VH, VM or VN. 1940 models were the same but W instead of V.

I like it !

hello
there are some nos fenders on the bay at the moment, expensive.... but nice

On the non-COE's the ID plate is located on the passenger side of the cowl under the hood. Not so sure on a COE, but you might look in the same general location.

Some things to know about the serial number.

1st number: Assembly location - other resources on site have what the various plants are.

2nd two letters: Truck ID per the quoted portion above.

Next 2 numbers: Month in the previous year that it was assembled.

Last digits: What number this truck was off the line.

This will also help you establish the rarity of the vehicle. If you find the VIN number post it, and several people can help you decode it.

What a cool truck.

Did you bring jumper cables?

Man . . . a pre-40s COE . . . I think I can count the times I've seen one on one hand. Very cool.

And what's with the spot-light in the middle? Typical for delivery trucks, maybe?!

-Michael

Don't cut it and don't scrap it, they just don't build these things anymore. There is someone out there looking for just what you have. Post it on ebay and the swap meet here. I'm sure the word will get out that you have a rare find. Someone wants this truck.

Wow is that ever neat. I had no idea that they used torque tubes on heavy trucks. When did that stop?

Finally looked at the entire web album. The round gauges again confirm a 1939 truck.

Thanks guys. I won't scrap it. Tomorrow I plan on going up there and pulling it out into the open, put the tires on it, and check all the numbers.

Then I'll probably post it up for sale, although I have no idea, what to do ask for it.