Even if you don’t own a Lockheed P-38 Lightning, this extremely unusual 1940 Dodge aviation fuel tanker might be the truck for you! It’s listed for sale here on eBay, where at this point 76 bids have driven the price to $28,100. The Dodge is located in Newman, California. By the way, there are only 22-26 (sources vary) remaining P-38s left in the world, so I’m guessing other folks are bidding as well (wink).
The sellers tell us that this tanker truck is based on a 1940 Dodge COE chassis. The tanker body was built by the American Pipe and Steel Corporation (Los Angeles, California). Apparently the seller has verified that this truck was originally owned by the Lockheed Martin Burbank Plant and was used to fuel P-38s built at the plant for World War II use. There is a brass tag in the driver side door jamb showing “L.A.T. 3596,” the letters of which stand for Lockheed Air Terminal. What a cool history!
The truck is said to be 98% complete, with the only shortage mentioned in the ad being a cab floor panel (originally wood, so that shouldn’t be too hard to reproduce). Of course, the truck is a non-runner at this point.
As you can see, the chassis appears to be pretty sound. Does anyone know if the second PTO shaft was for a second pump? I’m surprised the tires still hold air!
As you might guess, the interior’s pretty rough. However, the glass appears intact and somehow the truck has avoided being shot at, a sad but common fate for old commercial vehicles where I live. Or the vandal’s aim was really poor!
I’m hoping Howard or one of our other older truck experts can identify this engine for sure, but as far as I can tell it should be a gasoline-fueled flathead six-cylinder of just over 201 cubic inches. I’m sure a full rebuild will be in order as it looks like this truck has been stationary for a number of years. It does, however, come with a clean title. So what say you, readers? Is this piece of history worth restoring? Are you the person to take it on? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
Sigh,,,Thanks Jamie,,comments are “10-6” for me, until I decide if I still want to participate in this foolishness, but I can’t let a writers request for info go unheeded. Briefly, this is a “VM” series( “M” was for cabover) and a new design for 1940. Rare, in that none were saved, but Dodge cabovers were very popular in the fuel business. The “dual” pto is an unusual setup, I believe, the shaft on the left, is for the pump. I seem to remember, fuel transfer pumps were chain driven for some reason. The shaft on the right, is more likely for the hose reel. As is, it’s an alleged 5 figure POS with very little usable features. Potential up the ying yang,,,for $500 bucks, maybe.
I think,,,BF’s should not publish the prices. For me, and others, it just angries up the blood, and most of us are here for memories, with no intention of ever buying 4 or 5 figure rusty hulks.
And that’s the 411 on that,,for now,,,yer turn on the Dodge “cabinover”,,,,
Oh, one more thing, while researching this, I found, the late, UNBELIEVABLY great, Eddie Van Halen, had a cabover Dodge in his “collection”. WUH-OH,,,
https://www.beckerautogroup.com/inventory-vehicles/eddie-van-halens-1947-dodge-coe-stake-bed-truck
That would be the trick with this truck. Figuring out what to transform it into, since the absence of P-38 aircraft has made it obsolete in its current configuration. Not sure what Eddie Van Halen did with a huge COE stake bed truck but if you could turn this one into a car hauler that second power take-off could be used to drive the winch that pulls whatever you are hauling from point A to point B onto the bed. Or, if you were of a mind to transform it into a self-contained motor home you might give it a mission for the future in that way. In any case, some imagination would be necessary to transform it from what it is now to what you wanted it to be. In the end, it would be cool!
Howard, thank you for your expertise as always! Please know that you are very much appreciated :-)
Thanks, Jamie, Bluetec and always, Geomechs. We’ll see. I rarely have an issue with any staff or members, and I don’t think BF’s willfully condones over priced rusty hulks, and I know you do your best to filter out the lunkheads, some you wonder who raised them, but anytime on trucks. More please,,,
BTW, I read, the reason transfer pumps were chain driven, is because different volume pumps need different gearing and a sprocket and chain was the easiest way.
Yes, I agree, Howard is an amazing trove of knowledge. I don’t follow closely enough to know that there have been commenter issues, but it seems so common anymore. Thank you to all who contribute – what a cool truck, and EVH’s was amazing! (other than the steering wheel LOL)
Howard, I agree you 100% on the pricing of almost everything right now. Including the nothing more than salvage/junk cars that are starting in the 5 figure range and then being bid up by “shill” bidders. It is just unbelievably silly! And God forbid if one says anything about the flippers, gouging, and the dishonesty in this industry today, you’ll be burned alive at the stake and called all kinds of names! I am hoping that things will change for the better, but I am certainly not holding my breath. Peace, Brother.
Thanks, pal, to be perfectly honest, I don’t care what happens anymore. This behavior is nothing new, men in polyester suits been bilking good people for years. I got a lot of my “ways” from my old mans shenanigans. I rip on him a lot, but a more frugal guy, you’ll never meet. Like I said previously, this greedy behavior is some kind of illness, and the fact that people, allegedly, feed into this, is pretty sad. The old car hobby was, for me and many others my age, a safe haven from the greed of the world. The fact that nothing is sacred anymore, at least what we held dear, is enough to pull the plug altogether. Trouble is, what does an old car nut do once they can’t do what they love? Knitting, maybe?
I think it’s generally accepted that used vehicle sales are notoriously dishonest
As far as pricing goes, I seldom look at the asking/bidding price on anything unless I might be interested in buying it. I don’t like the way prices are going up in the hobby either but it doesn’t affect my interest in the unit one bit. For me, it’s a trip into the past and a chance to rub shoulders with some like-minded individuals who are probably as broke as I am. Speaking of broke, when I bought my ’47 Ford pickup back in May of ’67, I paid $90.00 (and drove it home). It was almost everything I had at the time. Looking back I think it was all relative. I made a buck an hour at the grain elevator and a buck a game, setting pins at the bowling alley. My first paycheck, working full-time as a mechanic (starting 1971), was $422.00 for an entire month so it’s all relative. I could barely make ends meet then and I’m no better off today…
Geo, I just had to comment: In 1970 I paid $150 for a 47 Ford pickup. I paid $60 more than you paid for yours just three years earlier so it appears that those “flippers” and “men in polyester suits” had already begun that insidious and unfair price gouging that kept poor, but with good intentions, real car guys that were just in the hobby for the enjoyment and not to make a profit, from having a hot rod. So, starting today, let’s not try to get as much as we can when we sell our antique cars, let’s let those deserving poor guys who can’t afford it have it for less than it will bring at auction. Make friends, not money, they’ll love you.
“Rare, in that none were saved” guess your wrong again Howard.
Don’t do this often but someone has too.
How so, pal? Years ago, trucks like this dotted the countryside at every little airport in the country. Mostly military surplus, small rural airports had these parked outside a quonset hut as their primary fueling vehicle. As small airplane travel changed, and fuel delivery became more cost efficient, there was no need for these, and they sat neglected outside to the point you see here. Nobody kept one once the airport land was sold for a subdivision, and these were routinely scrapped.
Ahem, just to be clear, I’m not some meanie that you can’t disagree with, I WANT people to talk, just be prepared to say WHY you think I’m wrong. To say something like “it’s junk”, or “no it isn’t” without a link, or proof,,and not because grandpa hated something, doesn’t fly with me. “Members” should be able to talk to each other,,I think. It’s why I’m here, if you’re a “member”, we immediately have that in common, not some punk in their pajamas in moms basement,,sorry, but “members” are kind of special, we know we’ll hear from them almost everyday, we pay to be here, so we better get along, dag nabit.( oh, right, no talking like a 19th century prospector, consarnit) I wish a dating site was this easy,, :^)
These followed the Dodge Conventional for the time as far as drivelines went. I’m going to say that it’s going to have at least a 217 engine, with an updraft carburetor for the Cab-Over model. Transmission is probably a Warner T-9, same as most of the trucks of this vintage except GM. Of course it could be something else because I don’t think that a T-9 was ever available with (2) PTO locations. Howard is right about the two PTO units but I would be surprised if someone would ever try to use them together.
Back in 1970 a bunch of us were hiking in the Sweetgrass Hills (bunch of extinct volcanos about 40 miles east of Sweetgrass, MT) in the West Butte. It’s mostly private land there. We were walking through what I believe is Pratt’s Canyon which is supposed to be one of the craters. Amongst some old tumble-down shacks was this old Dodge COE with a gravel bed. It appeared to be in good shape, albeit rough, and was complete right down to the air cleaner. I wanted to go back and take some pics which took me about five years before I could get organized (and it’s only an hour from home). But when I did a couple of shacks were still there but everything else was gone, including the truck. I sure hope it wasn’t scrapped…
Reminds me of the truck in “Jeepers Creepers”.
There are still two good reasons to visit this site everyday – to see the stuff that pops up that I have never seen before, and to be educated on it by the likes of Howard, Geomechs, etc. Otherwise I’m priced out of this hobby anymore! Don’t go anywhere we really enjoy your contributions. Thank you.
I find all the comments very interesting, and I think the common thread is the age of the people who are commenting. I am guessing here, but I think I am in that age group. I would narrow that down to early Baby or Pre Baby Boomers. More specific born before 1950. We find the money ridiculous and absurd and most of all greedy. Living in Phoenix for the past few years ,I enjoy the car culture, but it really is La La Land in January. The numbers are in from Auction Month and the total for all sales is said to be 500 Million Dollars. I consider that a very large number and what I saw in person, it was somewhat unbelievable, the amount of money bidders were willing to spend. I think car guys in my age bracket start seeing how crazy this is, we all have a different perspective as we grow older. How many cars can you have, how many can you store or drive ,what really is there value, and at some point , you know, you can’t take the cars or the money with you. So how do you resolve all this nonsense. It is different for everybody. My solution is enjoy what you have, keep it real, don’t get caught up in the hype and be glad you got to do something that you found satisfaction and happiness doing. The journey needs to be better than the destination.
Very well said, Joe! I’ve been to BJ’s in Scottsdale twice. Had a good time while I was there but definitely left with nothing other than a few holes punched in my drink card. Rubbed shoulders with a whole lot of guys and gals in the same boat as I am. I look at those cars and trucks and talk about them, and yes, wish I could afford to buy at least one. But the word for me is ‘Gearhead.’ It’s a fraternity that is enjoyed by all types. I say, “So what if I can’t afford it; I can still dream.” And the conversations and friends I’ve met will live with me until I get put in the ground…
I am an old cooter as well and what has happened to the once humble little hobby saddens me greatly. I agree, the ultra rich buy things up for bragging rights, but as you also said, they can’t take it with them. After they are gone, how will they be remembered? If remembered at all, will they be the rich old greedy man who hoarded all sorts of things because he could? Maybe it is better to only own as many cars as you can practically drive and enjoy, leave the rest so others may do the same. With all the money some of these people spend, perhaps there are better places to put it. Charity comes to mind, or maybe, how about paying your workers better? Of course, the problem there is, a lot of these really rich characters, have no workers. They live off investments, make nothing that betters the world, only themselves. Not sure the conversation they are going to have at the Pearly gate is one I would like to have.
As a WWII aircraft restorer I would love to have it. The serious heavy iron P-38 Mustang et al owners are generally so rich cost is irrelevant this is about bragging rights. The Factory/Burbank history is cool. Interesting too is this particular Olive Drab was the one that turned pink bc of the iron oxide vs cadmium makeup.
There is currently 76 bid from 7 bidders. The number of bids only reflects the low ($100) bid increments. With eBay’s proxy bid system you put in your max amount, then as you are outbid it automatically increases your bid by that increment. That means you bid once, log off, go about your day, then check in later to see you have 10 bids placed. While you were away the competition upped there’s, so eBay upped yours’s.
A lot of whining and hand wringing here. The current bidding on this thing enraged kibitzers but restoration on this thing will likely run six figures all up. Not many can play that game, and the wealthy interested in a tank truck are not numerous. In my experience those spending on special interest vehicles are envied or critiqued. In the end those buyers are entertaining themselves, it is not spite. What is the alternative? Be charitable and not bid, to short the owner and let someone else have it cheap? The purchase price is reduced by $20K? Does that make a six figure project affordable to the whiners?
As for the P-38. Was THE plane of choice of our 2 ALL-TIME Aces inc. #1 – Maj. Richard ‘Dick’ Bong who shot down 40 Japanses followed by McGuire who shot down 38. Japanese were SCARED of 38’s and had a bounty on Bong – NO ONE COLLECTED! (Unforunately he died stateside on VJ Day while testing a jet fighter in the States – great American!
Don’t forget about Dick Best who is one of only two people to hit two aircraft carriers in a single day. The recent movie (2019) Midway shows this and is pretty decent.
In the nineties I did marine jet development for Mercury and worked with an aero engineer named Ralph Maloof from CA. At dinner he shared that he flew P-38s in WWII China. On a morning sortee his flight engaged a Japanese “Zero” flight lead by the then Japnese “Ace”. The J-ace and Ralph got into it and the Zero got behind. The “power manuver” was a WOT vertical climb with the 2000hp turbo/supercharged Allison V-12s. The throttles went forward, the stick came back. A bullet pierced the canopy and struck Ralph in the head, he blacked-out. The flight manual rated the Allisons at 20 seconds WOT. When Ralph regained conciousness, the engines were still singing and no gunfire, Ralph’s wingman had engaged the Ace. At altitude the wound was bleeding profusely, the throttles were drawn back and the P38 winged-over for a decent. Holding the wound, he made it back to base.
Like the dog that chases the bus, if you catch it, what would you do with it? Maybe a water tanker for a ranch.
Remember the term “Horse Traders”?
Well, they moved on to vehicles, and a lot of other things years ago. Pardon my mixed metaphor, but the world is basically made up of Carnies and Rubes. Best be wary. My late, great, friend Lyn (who owned a ‘37 Dodge truck btw) Used to to say that he’d been to a lot of fairs when someone was trying to get one over on him.
Very cool truck. 👍🏻
I do enjoy many of the BF listings, and it’s easy to scroll past the ones I have no interest in. Even for a fairly poor sap like me, there are still possibilities on BF and out there in general to get something I’d love to own. I love those late 60’s and 70’s land yachts, and there seem to be more than a few out there, and some of them are still affordable. The problem for me is ever-worsening Arthritis, so my hands no longer work well enough to do more than basic maintenance, and if you have to pay someone else to do the work, then the cost of admission is no longer do-able. I can dream, though.
For me the best part of Barn Finds is the nostalgia, education and camaraderie.
It’s important to ignore the negativity, it can ruin the experience.
Keep ’em coming, BF, I’d be lost without you.
A lot of us in the same boat, CV!
Well stated, Geo, I think I need to get some cheese for my whine. We could all be much worse. Life is just one continuous adjustment.
On the truck, I agree with the museum sentiment, this thing is so historic and special it needs to be preserved and shown and even driven occasionally. This is one of the few of that vintage I’ve ever seen for sale.
Maybe Tom Cruise would buy it for his P38….
This is a simply awesome truck, I hope it gets restored and displayed at a vintage aircraft museum, someplace along the lines of the Commemorative Air Force. The styling, especially the “spine” that runs from the rear into the cab roof section is incredible. Wow!
Judging by the huge corn or alfalfa silage pit/silo in the background of some of the pictures, the owner either feeds a vast number of dairy Holsteins or cattle destined for slaughter… and your plate. To me that alone says the seller is honest to the letter. At $28,100 someone got a great deal on a very important piece of American history. God bless our service men and women and God bless American farmers.
The branch would be called U.S. Army Air Corps, as the tank is painted, to 1941, becoming U.S.A.A.F. in June of that year, and onward to being the U.S.A.F. in ’47. Does that mean this is in original 72 year old paint? If so, I’m impressed–or was it reshot for a movie sometime? Any repaint while in military service would’ve had an update to the labeling I would think.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Air_Corps
The rear body work on this reminds me of the GM Futurliner a bit
whenever I C/own trucks I think – income.
Here in the NorEast a ‘cab over’ could B good for gettin inta small diary for milk duty. Not sure if this tanker worth the conversion or slap ona new circular alu one (health code)…
This thing could be worth maybe over the BIN price if restored so if someone were to restore and sell it they would get their money back and more to pay for bills, food etc.