Vehicle Description
If you love the look and feel of the really old vintage trucks, but
don't own one, is it because original pre-war trucks can be finicky
and not really up to speed on modern roads? And maybe because an
over the top street rod isn't your thing either? If so, then check
out this 1936 pickup. It's in that sweet spot between the two
extremes. A 12-volt electrical system and modern 4-cylinder make it
reliable and easy to drive without being over the top or messing
with those classic good looks. Check it out.
Those classic good looks start with a long, piano hinged hood that
leads to a tall mesh grill trimmed in chrome. Individual headlights
are perched between the hood and the separate fenders and a simple
chrome bumper underlines everything. The cab, hood and bed are
coated in Omaha Orange, which is this trucks factory original
color, and black for the fenders and running boards. The spare tire
mounts on the right side of the cab and there is Chevrolet bowtie
emblem on both sides of the hood. Out back there is a simple pickup
bed with a nice wooden stake side. Part of that "sweet spot" this
truck is in, is that this is a truck you can actually use. Go
ahead, load up the bed and make your deliveries. You'll be arriving
with supplies in style in this truck!
Open the door and you will be reminded of a simpler time. As you
step easily into this upright cab, the pressures of the modern
world seem a little further away and not quite so noisy. The door
panel and dash are simple and nice looking in the same Omaha Orange
as the outside. There is a big three spoke steering wheel and
behind it are the stock gauges with the speedometer in the center
flanked by two engine gauges. Below the dash are a trio of modern
gauges to keep track of water temp, oil pressure and voltage for
the modern motor. There is a likeness of the truck in front of a
Mail Pouch barn on the glovebox, and a shifter for the automatic
transmission is on the floor. A simple bench seat in black vinyl is
roomy, comfortable, and old school correct.
Fold open the piano hinged hood and you will find a 4-cylinder,
"Iron Duke" engine nestled down in there. It is a throttle body
injected 2.5-liter motor which may be better known as the 151, or
the Tech IV engine. They are simple and reliable. The 12-volt
electrical system means a stronger battery and a healthy starter
for easy starting even in the winter, and you get good reliable
lighting as well as compatibility with modern accessories. The
power the engine makes runs back through a TH350 automatic
transmission to the rear axle which is mounted on leaf springs
while the front suspension is a solid drop axle on leaf springs.
The rubber meets the road through wide white wall tires mounted on
real wire wheels painted to match the body with chrome center caps
that have a bowtie in the center.
Classic, but also modern, simple, reliable, and useful. If this is
the sweet spot for you, then come on down and get your new/old
truck.