Love the looks of a vintage cab-over, but not too keen about the primitive drivetrain? This Chevy 5700 listed here on eBay might be just the ticket. It’s a slightly modified 1953 body mounted on a 1999 Chevy Express van chassis, and underhood it’s powered by a suitably modern Vortec V8 engine backed by a four-speed automatic transmission. Bidding has reached $6000, but the reserve has not been met. This nifty truck can be retrieved from Canton, Texas. It does have a clean Texas title, though it’s worth asking the seller how the title reads, since some state DMVs can be picky about altered vehicles.
The engine is a 5.7-liter Vortec, good for around 255 hp – a big improvement over the 110 hp 235 cu. in. six-cylinder that was original to these trucks. The transmission is GM’s 4L60E automatic – a decent workhorse but not made for performance applications. Power steering and power brakes with discs up front round out the mechanical details. The tires are new, as is the Optima battery. It runs and drives well, easily matching highway traffic.
The interior was crafted for comfort without giving up all its vintage character. Neat modern buckets and half-length door panels – both with red stitching – are in near-new condition. A headliner has been installed, and the dash received fresh red paint while retaining its bright trim. Out back, the bed was revised from the factory original by marrying two 1950s beds to yield a beefy 11’4″ x 4’2″ interior dimension. That’ll hold plenty of hay!
Meanwhile, the rear fenders were also reworked, adding 3″ to their width. These trucks were already impressively muscular, with a roof that measured more than 8′ above ground. Nearly every 5700 COE has been customized by now – including this car hauler that sold at BJ in Scottsdale this year for $220k – so if a vintage GM COE is on your bucket list, you’ll likely be scrutinizing someone else’s dream. Value is in the eye of the beholder – no one will pay six figures for this truck, but it’s worth a lot more than the current bid. What do you think – could it sell for, say, $35k?
Excellent find, Michelle! This is a lot of work to have made and as an added bonus it’s far more practical than most “rat rod” trucks. It’s so unique I’ll bet far fewer commuters would be inclined to say “I didn’t see it!” Tastefully done interior too.
Yes-to the right buyer it’ll be worth $35k IMHO.
I would prefer stock, but better a nicely done resto-mod than scrap. GLWTS
I had a ’49 Chevy cab over it had a big block Chevy on a modified 3/4 ton GMC chassis 8 lug it was wicked fun. Aluminum bed it kinda looked like a fire truck it was fast it’s still on YouTube from when we listed it under 1949 Chevy cabover for sale we listed it for 16 kand it went to florida it was Kermit green :)😀 you looked eye to eye with school bus drivers lol
Looks pretty scary to me.