Vehicle Description
1948 Chevrolet 3600 Stakebody
A flatbed has a solid bed, usually of wooden planks. There is no
roof and no fixed sides. To retain the load there are often low
sides which may be hinged down for loading, as a 'drop-side' truck.
A 'stake truck' has no sides but has steel upright stanchions,
which may be removable, again used to retain the load.
For consignment, a former cemetery truck in Chicago's western
suburbs, our consignor purchased it in 1976. He did an engine
overhaul and new wiring prior to bringing it to Philly in 1981. It
was then used for a landscaping business until 1990 then mothballed
all the while doing some intermittent restoration work. New paint
in 2016, a new interior upholstery job, and a new gray long needle
pine with metal stripping for the flatbed. SO, now we have a
fantastic example of this 3/4 ton flatbed from the bowtie
company.
Exterior
This curvaceous truck is bathed in Admiral Green on its straight
steel rust free panels, and complimentary black painted curving
fenders. Upfront is a grille which curves to match the hood above
is also painted black is sans chrome trimming on the horizontal
bars. Below is a black painted curved single bumper and above a
large Chevrolet badge undulates around the rounded hood. Single
headlights on the front of rounded over bump out fenders, and we
see orange turn signal lights mounted above on top of the fenders.
The large hood cozies up to the split windshield with near perfect
glass, and a nicely rounded over single door cab. Chrome is
slightly pitted and aged for the handles but the long extended rear
view side mirrors are like new. Below this cab, and behind the
front fender right at the rocker is a black metal running
board/step up which stops at the end of the cab. A large rear
flatbed extends the width of the truck just slightly larger than
the cab. It creates the rear fender and at the same time provides
the cargo area. For this bed we see nicely aged gray long needle
pine and metal strips between the pine. Stakes are a framing fence
if you will around the bed and are also nicely gray aged using
steel stock to hold them to the bed. The wheels are simple white
painted steel and show some aging but have no hubcaps, so they are
looking the truck part.
Interior
After fussing with my hair in those mirrors I swing the doors and I
see pure manliness and utility with aged steel door panels and like
new crank and actuators. The same holds true for the dash as it has
a wonderful patina and is truly original. As is the steering wheel
and gauges. A ribbed center panel is in and this has an ashtray
which hinges out from the ribs. The passenger side has more ribs
and these are the front of a glovebox. A shifter is on the column
and some used rubber flooring is below. Above is a brown vinyl
headliner which matches the newly covered brown vinyl full bench
below. The bench now has seat belts. Rough and tumble but hey it's
a classic truck with a great look.
Drivetrain
More unrestored heaven under the hood with the original 216.5ci
inline 6 cylinder engine. It presents in black and has a nice
overall patina. Some slight rust is on here too but it's all good
in this writer's eyes. It is fed by a 1-barrel carburetor, and a
3-speed manual transmission is on back. A 4.57 rear axle pulls the
weight.
Undercarriage
Black strong steel with a peppering of light to moderate surface
rust is noted on all undercarriage surfaces, The underside of the
wood is in good shape with no rotting. Leaf springs are the
suspension and drums are the brakes. Unrestored but still strong
like a 3/4 ton should be!
Drive-Ability
I hopped up to the task and was not disappointed. I love the ride
height, and the new bench is sweet. The truck fired right up
despite the choke being frozen. It ran great, shifted with ease and
gave a good truck-like ride. Braking was solid and I was looking
for a short run haul when I was finished as I wanted more! A
rebuilt starter and new fuel pump added to the efficiency of this
1948 version.
The look of utility with just the right amount of restoration I
would not touch any more or it will start to take on a trailer
queen aura. We don't want that, as it's a TRUCK. Men, Men, Men, Men
...Men!
1FRD2316
1-Flint, MI Assy Plant
F-1948
R-3600 Series
D-April Build
2316-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.