A true barn find, this 1949 Chevrolet 5-window pickup is located in North Smithfield, Rhode Island and is for sale here on eBay, where bidding is currently at $200 but has not met reserve. These trucks are highly prized for their attractive curves. My next door neighbor had one growing up – I never actually saw it run, but it sure looked cool! This one has been in a barn for 40 years, and prior to that had it’s bed removed for use on the farm. There’s some pretty serious rust under the doors and at the rear of the cab, and you’d obviously have to source a bed. I did find a new one available on the internet, but at over $2,000 it’s likely to be more expensive than the truck! Finding a used bed might be difficult, but I suppose you could fabricate a flat-bed rear that would be both period appropriate and somewhat unique. I’m not sure I’d take this one on, even at less than $1,000, but what do you think?
It’s too bad the bed isn’t there. It would be a full 8 footer on a 3/4 ton. A lot of work on the resto but the end result is always worth the sweat.
Build a stake side flat bed. It will be just like the way a farm truck would be.
That’s a good idea. A friend of mine did that on his ’38 GMC. Worked out very well.
I think that the hardest thing will be to find anyone these days brave enough to mount rubber on the split rims. Outside of that, Golden State parts will have virtually everything you need to make this a beautiful labor of love and a sweet ride.
I find it very interesting how so many tire shops are hesitant at mounting tires (or fixing flats) on split rims. There are four tire shops out here that won’t hesitate. One did require one owner to get his vintage rims blasted with organic media and then get them magnafluxed and then no problem at all. All the tire shops use a cage (or a special chain) to hold everything in place. At home we used the front end loader and set the bucket down on the wheel just allowing enough room to reach the valve stem.
True barn find, I remember those words…
since there are tubeless wheels that fit these trucks no reason not to upgrade. do away with split rims and tubes, if the frame is good this could be a work truck again. nice find
repop pickup beds start at $1500.00 Ready to paint
I have heard of putting the brake pedal to the floor. This one is through the floor!