In 1981 I bought a 1937/1938 GMC 1/2 ton panel truck. I got a bill of sale and a signed title which I didn't transfer to my name. I was renting some ground at the time and needed some dry storage and the truck was less expensive than a small shed and the owner of the property said a shed would have to stay when I moved on. I rented the place for 7 years during which time someone stole the grille, radiator, emblems, gauges, and data plate from the truck. I moved to Idaho in 1988 and set up a new farm on rented ground. In 1994 I found a t-boned 1937 GMC pickup in a farmers boneyard and bought the grille, radiator, emblems, and dashboard. Now I'm retired and culling my herd of storage vehicles. Somewhere along the line I lost the original title. I've started the process of getting a title for the truck. The vehicle investigation officer wants some numbers from the truck. After searching all over the truck I found T145 872 stamped on the frame by the right front wheel. I think these numbers probably designate the model of the truck. Can someone tell me what they mean?
The T-145 chassis was new in 1938. It is a ¾ ton, 126 in wheelbase and power by a 230-cu. in. inline 6. Brake H.P.: 86 at 3600 R.P.M. The chassis was the 872 built for 1938. T145 872 is the serial number. Check for the caution plate on the firewall.
frogfarmer, Just to add a little detail to what jimgmc posted above, the below pics are extracts of info on the 1938 GM Trucks from a source publication (1st picture) I have. There is added info on some of the features and equipment on the trucks which may help out if you have questions on any of those items. The only thing of note I see in comparing the pictures of your truck with the data in the book is the book indicates that 1938 did not use louvers on the hood sides. But then it also shows at least one "1938" truck pictured with the louvers and the trim strips??? I'd take that info with a grain of salt or two.
BTW - I sent you a PM you may have an interest in.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Thank you for the helpful information. The truck had a Pontiac flathead engine with a hole in the block. My friend and I pulled that out and set a 1940 GMC 228 engine and transmission in it. That's as far as we got with repairs before I filled the back up with belt feeders and parts. We had put the radiator and grille on the drivers seat when we were doing the work, which made them easy to take when the trim, gauges, and the firewall tag were stolen a few years later. I thought it was a half ton because it has 6 lug wheels.
The Motor Vehicle Investigator is coming to check out the truck today.
1938 was the last year for the louvers on the hood sides. Also, the book lists the 38 T15 and T155 as ¾ ton. The T15 came out in 1930 as a ¾ ton. In 31 or 32 they reclassified it as a 1 ton. 1933 was the last year for the T15 until 1938 when they reintroduce it as a 1 ton along with the T155 1 ¼ ton. I recheck the engine spec. and it is a Pontiac 223, H.P.: 81 @ 3400
Thanks for the correction on the information I posted jimgmc! I have made notes in my source book to correct it. Sorry if my info misled in any way.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
