A truck like this 1916 Wilcox Trux Model R isn’t for everybody, they probably have a fairly limited market in today’s muscle-car-heavy world of collector cars. Yet, those of us who are interested in vehicles from all eras can picture themselves owning and driving this rugged hauler. It can be found here on eBay in Lansdale, Pennsylvania with an unmet opening bid of $10,000.
In 1906, two brothers – H.E. Wilcox and John F. Wilcox, along with Maurice Wolf – started the H.E. Wilcox Motor Car Co. in Minneapolis, MN. They started off making cars in 1907 under the name Wolfe. Almost two hundred were made over the next two years before the company renamed them Wilcox in 1909. The company started making commercial trucks and in late-1910 they discontinued car production and concentrated on trucks. This one has solid rubber tires. Pneumatic tires were available on the 3/4-ton model and they were optional on 1-ton models, the others had solid rubber tires.
Wilcox made several models: a 3/4-ton Model U, a 1-ton Model S, a 2-ton Model Q, a 3 1/2-ton Model P, and a 1 1/2-ton Model R such as this example is, at least according to the body tag. You can see a few cracks in the wood box but I can’t imagine that material is original so it’s not like it can’t be replaced. The seller mentions that this truck is from the estate of Ralph Wilcox, who I’m assuming was a son or grandson of one of the founding brothers? The company went out of business in 1928.
This truck, or Trux, was restored at some point and I can’t imagine that this color would have been original to 1916? It reminds me of a 1929 Chevrolet 1-ton pickup that I was high bidder on three years ago and was driving a couple of hours east to see it when someone hit the buy-it-now button. Man, I wanted that thing and I’ve never made that mistake again. The interior looks good for being as basic as it is.
Wilcox Trux typically used Continental engines on 3/4-ton and 1-ton models, but the 1 1/2-ton, 2-ton, and 3 1/2-ton trucks usually had an engine by Wilcox design and 40 hp. The seller has filmed a video showing this great truck here on YouTube. Have any of you heard of a Wilcox Trux?
I’ve actually heard of a Wilcox but little more than that. Like so many vehicles of that era they were assembled from various components. The builder supplied some unique parts but otherwise a lot of parts could be interchanged with those of other trucks. I like this truck but it would be limited to parades and display. I would hope that this goes to a collector that gives it lots of exercise and allows many to see it.
Nice find Scotty! It’s no ’69 Camaro but not bad. lol Wilcox proved very savvy going for the copyright on “Trux,” eh? My kidneys hurt just looking at those solid tires and heavy springs. Don’t get caught with your tongue sticking out when you slam a pot hole. You better know what you’re doing with that crank starter too. Thanks for another great write-up!
Thanks for the great comments, Geo and Todd! I didn’t think that this one would grab the brass (era) ring as far as the number of comments went, but sometimes the selfish writers among us (me) do things that we really like whether it’ll be popular or not. I had hoped that any real, true car guys and gals would be interested in everything here, but maybe that’s not the case. I’m still holding out hope.
Never heard of this company ; you learn something new ever day ! I agree about the color, it looks too “toy truck” to me = A nice dark blue , maroon or basic black would work for me
Looks like there’s a 1925 for sale elsewhere that is running and driving and listed for 5k. Yes, this 10k truck may be “from the family estate” but that’s not work over 5k. If timing were different, I’d be interested as the company fits my geography (ND & MN) but even then, the price would have to fit what I’d spend too. As too few seem to realize, rarity does not always equal expensive.
63Comet: The 1925 Wilcox Trux you cite was an old auction post from a few years ago. There was a bid of $5,000–that was by no means the price and it did not meet reserve so it was not sold! It will be listed on our website soon (www.evergreendigitalshowroom.com).
Steve Russell
Sales Manager
Evergreen Digital Showroom
Thanks for the clarification!
Many heavy trucks of this era were delivered as engine/chassis and custom bodied after the sale to meet buyer needs. Commercial buyers often had “louder” paint schemes for advertising purposes. However this Smurf Blue is pretty nauseating, authentic or not. I have a truck a little newer, but not much. I drive it all summer, hauling hay and boulders and lumber and whatever. Puts smiles on every one that sees it. I don’t do parades and car shows. I just use it like it was built to be used. Ancient trucks get a bad rap for harsh ride and slow speeds. You gotta change your mindset and enjoy the ride. The smiles are worth it.
I never heard of this particular truck, but there were literally hundreds of manufacturers, almost to the point, you could buy a truck made in your hometown. In the last teens, trucks were a rare deal, probably 90% of goods were still moved by horse. Fantastic example, but,,,what do you do with a solid tire,( ever ride in a solid tire vehicle?) straight gear, armstrong steered, 18 mph truck? If you want to show it, a pull vehicle ( like that 428 ’71 Ford pickup) and a trailer, for another $10g’s, is the only safe way to go. 1 bid, seller maybe? Shame, these vehicles will fade into history. Thanks Scotty for showing younger folks, this is what was state of the art 100 years ago.
Safe ? We are all just one whack job away from another mass killing attempt. I drive mine every day during the good weather season. For six years now. Survived 3 vacations in AFG too. I think people put too much stock in a false sense that we are ever truly “safe”.
Well, I’m not sure the correlation between a mass murder and driving a hard rubber tire truck. Sorry, but driving this on a highway, ESPECIALLY these fruit cakes in Colorado, is a hazard. It’s not the truck itself, it’s what these impatient morons do to get around you. Do the world a favor, and trailer your antique to 3 blocks from the show, and putt-putt in.
Sadly the big problem with a truck like this is they don’t get a lot of use. Storage is the issue, unless you have a warehouse to park it in where do you put it . It can’t be left outside because it would deteriorate quite rapidly. Not a lot of people in the market for this truck. I’d only value this truck at $3500.00 nice find though.
According to my Branham Automobile Reference Book 1921 Edition, Wilcox did not manufacture a R model after 1915. It states that they used Waukesha Motors with a HP of 28.90, 4 cylinders, with a Bore and Stroke of 4-1/4″ X 5″ with motor numbers 4500 to 4550 in 1915.
Hi, Jack – I was going off of a 1916 Automotive Trade Journal article showing the 1916 Wilcox Trux line. They list the 1-1/2-ton Model R as being available in 1916 and it says, “The engine is of Wilcox design and construction, four cylinders, cast in pairs. 4-1/4 in. bore, 5 in. stroke, developing 40 h.p. at 1100 r.p.m.” The transmission was also “of Wilcox design and construction” according to that 1916 source.