The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Need help with this 1928 truck

I have a chance to own this 1928 pickup but before I buy it I wonder if someone here can help me out. Here is the "history".
Bought by city in Indiana to use as water truck to wash streets.....then a school bus and later, around 1981 according to a letter, another cab and pickup bed was put on it.
The cab is solid wood. No metal panels over wood frame. The wood appears to be Oak and is in really good shape. Its been stored in barn/shed for years.

My "question". Has anyone seen a cab like this? I've searched 3 big books and can find nothing like this. I figure it was an after market cab/bed??
It is 4 cyl. spoke wheels, as you can see from the link. If you click on it goes. Look to the photos on the bottom of the page and you will see the pics I took....thanks.

http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/LutherParris/

Might this be a Republic? There is a guy locally who has a few of these trucks that were made in Alma, Michigan. If you are interested, send me a PM and I can put you in touch with him.

in '28 the truck bodies were from outside suppliers Chip, but that cab and bed are entirely home made and nothing like cabs of the day, all the hardware on it could be found at your local builders supply, including the screen door closer spring and cupboard handles all I've seen that old have cabs similar to this, including the split windshield and the feature moldings that carry back from the factory ones on the cowl

if the price is right it could be a fun project, but I'd be wanting to find a more correct cab, probably very scarce .... of course being an old fart you've got lots of time to hand form a better one yourself

Bill

I agree with you guys and thanks for the pics forz8261. I do believe this is truly chevy though. It has all the signs, engine, emblems, plus the folder the person has list the original buyers and subsequent owners and their first hand answers to questions. Its a shame the body modification guy didn't be more specific. I know Hercules, Parry and some others did the bodies. I don't think GM actually put complete bodies on the trucks to around 31 or 32??
I also agree with the hardward,Bill. I use to do a lot of wood work and what you said is the first thing I thought. In fact, I still have some stuff in my supplies that look just like cupboard handles!!

I'm thinking I'll make an offer tomorrow and it will be a take it or leave it offer......now if someone had a correct cab it may be a different story. I'm not quite as good at body work as Bill thinks I am. However he is correct about me being an old fart

Could that be a amish buggy.

Alvin, that's a cool truck. You could retro-fit more appropriate hardware, and have a unique cruiser. Hope you get it. And, I'll bet those folks up north were glad for that hot water heater!

I see nothing wrong with using that cab and bed. It's part of the history of the truck.

I like it as it is. It looks home made. Makes it quite interesting.

Very cool, good luck.

I've gotta agree with Wayne and Cletis - The hand made cab is just part of the history of the truck. Since it was owned by the state and you know the ownership history, I betcha you could find some pics or descriptions of the truck with the current cab. Document the cab, fix the buggers, paint it to match the original use, and celebrate its uniqueness. 'Course it's easy for me to give advice because it's not my money being spent.

Hope you get it for a steal!

Very cool. I would keep the cab. That's when "floor boards" meant....boards!

Kurt

....made them an offer yesterday afternoon. I had to go through their "house sitter" so I probably won't know anything before the weekend. I'll keep you posted.

....I'm running out of shop room. I've got a 327 coming in the next few days. So much stuff....so little room!

That's why GOD invented sheds

OK Alvin, you are keeping some of us in suspense here! Did you get the truck or not??????????

Cool truck! Did ya get it?

... I made the offer to the lady who is "house sitting". I personally know this lady which is how/why I know about the truck.
The rightful owner is now in Arizona, wife in Hawaii and they are to meet in Ca. sometime this or next week. They are also selling the house where the truck is (nice 15 aceres) so the house sitting lady told me it may be a week or two before we hear from them.

...if it don't work I have my eye on a 3/4 ton '59 that I may buy and put a flat bed on the back......always looking

.....plus I just had surgery for umbilical hernia this past Tuesday and I've slept for two days!!!.....I'm slowly getting better.

I like that Alvin, very nice.
FYI, this might be sacrilegious around here, but the head off that block can be made into a sweet overhead valve conversion for Model T Ford blocks, for those that like to go fast.

Now I REALLY would like to buy that house next door!!!!

That would be one nice project.....

Pete

PS. Think of this no mig weilder needed just wood glue,a saw,and a hammer!!!!!