- Seller: Collin H
- Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
- Mileage: 60,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 83373095
- Title Status: Clean
When Dodge introduced the B-3-B truck, it wanted people to know it was well-built and ready to work. Just take a look at the grille of this 1952 Dodge B-3-B. It proudly wears its “Job Rated” badge. It might have just been marketing, but the fact that this 72-year-old truck is still going strong bodes well for its build quality. The seller has enjoyed this survivor, but it’s time to let someone new drive it, so its being offered as a no reserve Barn Finds Auction. If that person is you, be sure to bid!
The seller has done all the necessary services to return this truck to work. The brake system received new wheel cylinders, the gas tank was cleaned and sealed, the fuel pump was replaced, and new walnut boards were installed in the bed. As seen in the seller’s videos, it runs and drives well, especially for an old farm truck. There’s still plenty of work to do to make it look it’s best, but this project is off to a good start.
The 218 inline six is in good running condition and moves the truck along nicely. It’s received new spark plugs and a new coolant temperature gauge. This L-head engine was rated at 95 horsepower and 175 ft-lbs of torque. What it lacks in grunt, it makes up for in smoothness and durability. It’s mounted to a 3-speed manual, and power is sent to its rear wheels.
Inside the cab, it’s mostly original. The seats were recovered at some point in the past, but the rest of the interior looks original. The floors show surface corrosion but look solid. They should be treated sooner rather than later. Everything works as it should, including the new headlights and foglights.
They certainly don’t build trucks like this anymore! It’s simple, well-built, and dependable. The patina look might not be for everyone, but it’s usable as is, and its next owner always has the option to repaint it. So, if you are ready to put this truck to work, make sure to leave any questions you have in the comments and cast your high bid below!
Bid On This Auction
Cactus Pete bid $3,250.00 2024-04-24 17:54:05
Mopar Ben bid $3,000.00 2024-04-20 11:36:56
Smitty 354 bid $2,750.00 2024-04-19 18:44:44- Mopar Ben bid $2,500.00 2024-04-18 19:16:07
Scoddy bid $2,000.00 2024-04-18 13:55:11
Louie bid $200.00 2024-04-18 13:26:19
Well, the short video is hardly representative of what it would really be like to drive this. I had a truck just like this, I got from my kids school bus driver. He had a farm not far away, and was also the dump guy for years, so his barn looked exactly like something from American Pickers. He had 2 trucks, a ’51 Ford F5 single axle dump truck, and a pickup like this. I paid $250 for both, and DROVE the Ford home. I never got the Dodge running, and sold it for $250 alone. I love that sound of taking your foot off the brake pedal, and by the looks of the gas pedal, they took a pounding. It’s a great find, for 1982, but today, I can all but guarantee, it won’t stay like this for long. Maybe not, though, as for a city ride, I could see using this. Perhaps I’m not so alone as I think I am today.
Cool old truck, you definitely see fewer of these restored or hot rod than the Ford’s or Chevrolets from the same era, I personally just don’t think I can give it the justice it deserves hope to see it restored some day
Thanks for the compliment. It has been fun bringing it back from the dead. Hopefully someone can give it justice like you said!
All you need. Daddy had many trucks but one of these 1953 long bed also in the color red. Dodge is a true testament of what a truck should be as evinced by their spin off to form the new RAM trucks Division as a separate category from Dodge. If Dodge ever was sold the only two money makers in the lot are RAM and Jeep. You can forget the rest. A lucky buyer will get this and hopefully leave it like it is in its OEM state,
Agreed! Thanks for the comment. I’ve had a lot of fun working on it and it will be bittersweet seeing it hauled away. But hopefully the next owner can give it some more attention. It’s in great condition for the age and is already a head turner. Every time I take it out I get multiple smiles/waves/thumbs up!
Well, I’d have to say this is one good, honest truck. I wouldn’t change the exterior at all or the interior much.
If those with experience could provide some idea of speeds in gears and such, I’d like to know. The oldest truck I’ve ever driven/worked on was a 1961 Ford F100, Aqua/White with an inline-6.
Thanks for the compliment! You should see this thing with a linseed oil treatment! It lasts about 2 months and looks awesome! I unfortunately don’t have any information on gearing.
It needs a good rubbing down with a Brillo pad and some kerosene to keep that green paint in nice original patina, same on the inside. But yes I hope someone will consider keeping it in original condition. A great truck to bring to some old truck shows, you just don’t see many of this era!
I learned to drive in my Dad’s old Dodge just like this one 63 years ago. I remember the rear fenders which seemed out of place with the front. He was a body and paint man so he painted his red. I’ll never forget my first lesson. Great memories.
Sounds like a great memory. It’s a great truck and it’s been a lot of fun. Glad I got to spend some time with my boy working on it. We both learned a lot.
There were a lot of trucks like this around my home town, My uncle was the dealer and was a pretty good salesman. Of course there were lot of those deals lubricated by copious amounts of alcohol. Interesting that he could sell Grandpa and Dad new cars but couldn’t seem to close any deals on new trucks. Well, my dad bought a ’51 Dodge short box with a super rare Fluid Drive. I might add that this would be the only Dodge he would ever have for 20 more years.
Anyways, Dad used his truck like everyone else used their trucks: overloaded to the max. He put a load of lumber in the bed with the long boards on the bottom and the heavier pieces. The posts and the hardware to the front of the box. The front wheels barely touched the ground and the only way to steer it was to nudge the brakes which allowed the steer tires to get a little bit of traction.
20 miles of terrible road and he made it home, unscathed. The truck would go on for a couple more years before Dad sold it to a friend a few miles away. Many more years of abuse eventually broke the poor truck’s back and the truck went to the fence row where it mostly remains to this day.
I’ve considered going to the friend’s grandkids and seeing if they would part with it but I catch myself at the last minute when I think that I’ve got (3) projects underway that I would love to enjoy driving before I end up being a crochety old man…
Sure would like to get my hands on this truck. But still paying off the last car I bought here plus there’s a lot of miles between me and it. Some day though I’ll find an old truck closer that I can afford. Which isn’t much.
I had a 1950 Dodge pickup. Still, one of the most reliable vehicles I ever owned. Like so many vehicles I’ve had, I wish I had never sold it.
I bought one of these for $600.00 in 84 as soon as I seen it, no dents & every other truck I’d looked at wanted at least $2000.00 I asked does it run ? He says yes we take it to the dumq nearly every week ! Bought it ! Still got it ! Love it. Mine is 5 window short bed & runs excellent, needs restoration & I’m working on it.
I owned a 1950 version of this pickup back in the 1980’s. It was parked in a neighbor’s driveway for years. One day I stopped and asked about it. The fellow said he’d take a shotgun and a case of beer in trade. 1 Mossberg 12 gauge and a case of Bud later I was the owner. It needed a lot more work to make a daily driver(which was my intention) so I sold it for $600. I bid on this one shown because I still like everything about these trucks but I bowed out to bid on something else I covet more; a mid 1960’s Ranchero. When I see one I like I’ll take the plunge!
Cactus Pete had the winning bid, and took home a cool old Dodge.
Keep us posted, Cactus Pete-a bunch of us are waiting to see the finished product regardless of you just make it safe to drive or if you go the Full Monte!!