Would you consider taking a picture of the front brake rods and levers on backing plate? We have one with none. Thank you; Evan
My grandfather hauled beer from Milwaukee and St. Louis to Nashville with a couple of those rigs (34 model) set up as tractor-trailers. Mechanical brakes on the tractors, and NO brakes on the trailers. Later they converted the tractors to vacuum boosters on the mechanical brake systems.
Jerry
I can do that Coilover. I actually bought 2. The other is just a frame from a 1930 pickup. Judging by the size of the rear end / brakes I assume the frame is actually a 1/2 T. Couldn't pass it up for the price. Paid $17.50 for the frame!
The 31' is out at my property, it'll be a few days before I can get back there. But if it'll help I'll get pics from the frame it's behind my shed.
Hotrod; it amazes me what these old trucks were used for. Not sure how they've even survived, with all the wood for a cab you'd think it'd be just gone! This one needs a ton of TLC but it seems to mostly be all there. The front crossmember has been welded back together some time in the past but the frame hasn't been broke in two yet!
I'm going to try and keep this as it original as physically possible. Mechanical brakes and all. It would just be fun to put around town in.
If anyone recognizes that hood I'd like to know from where. All my research before and after the auction I can't seem to find another hood with vents like those. Also the radiator and grill, probably all came from the same donor. Did these old stovebolts have a hand crank option?
There was a County Mountie in Kentucky who would spend all day watching a hill near his town, and weigh any truck that had to drop down to 1st. gear to pull the hill. Then he would fine anybody who was even slightly overweight, or solicit a bribe. One of those beer trucks could pull much better than the other one. They would load the weak one with an exactly legal load, and while it was getting weighed, the other rig would sail on by in 2nd. gear- - - - -with a big overload!
Jerry
I believe the hood is from a 1932 chevrolet cabriolet deluxe, a model I've always admired.
I agree the hood is 1932 passenger car. The Deluxe cars had chrome louvers while the Standard had painted.
Yes, they all had hand cranks as standard issue...
Mike B
Sweet potatoes.
1933 Chevy trucks used the hood, fenders, and a painted version of the 1932 passenger car grille shell. I suspect your truck is a '33. Look at some websearch images of '31, '32, and '33 Chevy trucks. I think the mystery will be solved. Neat looking truck. Any I.D. tags anywhere?
Mike
Either way. Very cool to get a truck that has been untouched for this many decades!
The previous owner was pretty convinced it's a 31. But.. I'm not versed in real early pickups. Just learning! There's a tag, but not much left on it. Someone just HAD to have a hole there! I'll do some digging around, see what I can find. Hard to tell much difference between 31-33. I've read fenders, cowls, and hoods are different, but I can't much tell from pics. The fenders I got with the 30' frame look very similar to the fenders on the 31'.
I would like to find front rims to match the rear. Not a huge fan of the spokes. All in due time.
The "1CB.." on the serial number plate indicates Flint, 1933 1/2 ton truck. Clearly the rear axle is from a larger truck but it is curious that a big truck would come with wire spoke front wheels. Perhaps the truck is a 1/2 ton that had the rear axle switched? More investigation needed regarding the the front axle, frame size, etc.
Kent
Dan Beluscak Always buy em so you can sleep in em for a few days LOL !!
Dan Beluscak Always buy em so you can sleep in em LOL important rule of old truck buying !!!
I think you did great! Almost as pretty as my '35 (Qubie is prettier 'cause she's mine). I keep my mechanical brakes adjusted properly and I generally have no problem driving and stopping here in the WNC mountains. There was one time tho; I had 980 pounds of broken concrete blocks in the back that I was taking to the landfill. I was on a steep downhill stretch with a T intersection at the bottom, and if I had not been in the proper (low) gear or if I had a weak right leg, I would have sailed through that stop and off the road. As long as you're empty and drive sane, you should have no problems. If you have a load, be extra careful.
My '35 came with a hand crank. It stores under the seat along with the jack, which uses a different crank.
Dan,
THANK YOU so much! Your "not perfect" pictures are a huge help for one that has Nothing.
Evan
Grandpa's beer hauling 1935 Chevy tractor-trailer rigs got retrofitted with a vacuum booster for the original mechanical brake system, a cylinder that basically made the driver's right leg stronger- - - -still had no trailer brakes, however! They hauled bottles and kegs from Milwaukee and St. Louis to Nashville in the mid-1930's. Sadly, no pictures of those rigs survived!
Jerry
I love this old buggy. I have a '41 2-ton with a 1960 261 engine.
So I've looked over the ol girl a little more. Moved it back to my new property in town. Got an industrial zoned lot so the mayor can't complain about my vehicle assortment! Anyways, I'm fairly certain that the cab is not original to the frame. It's definitely a 1.5 ton frame. I have an 18' car hauler and she touches both ends of it. The half ton 1930 frame I bought with is much shorter. So I've got a '33 1/2 ton cab on a 1930 1.5 T chassis (I think... lol)
Have to start a new thread bought a new truck!