This 1941 Chevrolet truck is a bit of a mish-mash, but perhaps it can be a great project for someone. The long bed not quite visible from this shot might lead to a clue! It’s listed for sale here on eBay and over 40 bidders have already driven the price over $3,000! It’s located in Demotte, Indiana.
Funny, the art used in the 1941 Chevrolet pickup catalog (not the diagram at the bottom, but the red conceptual artist’s rendering) makes the bed look longer than it actually is. Someone evidently decided they either needed to replace a damaged bed or wanted a longer one than the original because the one on this truck isn’t what it left the factory with!
As you can see, the bed is from a longer truck–look at the “ghosts” of the longer fenders that were originally fitted to this bed. The seller tells us nothing about the bed change but does let us know that the truck has been stored indoors for the last 19 years, and was last on public roads in 1965. We’re also told that the cab is in good shape and that the doors and hood close well. I’m not too sure about that left front fender, though, and there is no tailgate.
The seller was kind enough to include this picture showing that the pickup bed currently installed is actually from an International Harvester pickup. I’m surprised it fits as well as it does, and the styling (such that it is) closely mimics the 1941 Chevrolet factory bed.
I’m not saying the front fender isn’t salvageable, but if it were me, I’d be looking for another one. Unless you really like “character” (I think we passed “patina” several dents and tears ago) in your trucks!
I love that steering wheel and at least some of the interior is in place. Although the glass is intact, the seller tells us it’s all damaged and will have to be replaced.
I’m amazed at how original the engine looks, but there’s some bad news here. As of right now, it’s locked up, although the seller has put oil in the cylinders to try to free it up. What do you think, Barn Finds readers, is this mish-mash worth taking a chance on?
The more I read Barn Finds the more I like these Art Deco trucks. That fender isn’t too bad! If I were retired, I would give it a try!
Agree. If it isn’t rusty, welding up that fender could be the easiest thing to do on this truck. Note the picture of a Porsche race car we restored that the only piece of metal that wasn’t bent or poorly welded back together was the dashboard. Took 11 days to work that nose smooth. Truck looks easy in that respect.
Thanks for the artwork Jamie! I just
happen to have a ’41 pickup lying on
my art table right now. And this sketch will help me out immeasurably. When I drew mine, I had to use the artwork from an adult
auto coloring book from Amazon. My
truck is coming along nicely but not
as nice as the one you show here.
Thanks again and great find.
A sympathetic restomod with a visually similar full-oil-pressure 235 or 261 out of a later pickup, perhaps with a T5 conversion, would be a great direction to take this mongrel.
Jamie,that steering wheel is from a 51 or 52 chev. car .
Oh it was so long ago in the early 70’s I got hold of a 41 Chevy pickup with short bed and 392 Hemi installed. Quite the truck it was too, made a lot of dump runs with it, broke several u-joints due to torque. It was in much better condition than this one. I would have to source the proper bed for this truck, and of course drop a V8 in it. The steering wheel is fine, seat is okay, just needs some work on color co-ordination, and paint this bad boy some outrageous bright color like competition orange with with big chrome wheels and thin tires just to freak people out.
God Bless America
It sold for $4300.00
I have a 41 and this sold for $4800 which I think is plenty of cash for the work involved to make it stock or hot rod. There are better ones out there. Call Jeff Kreun in Rapid City SD as he has a modest collection for sale.