- Seller: Dana H (Contact)
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky
- Mileage: 82,863 Shown
- Chassis #: L53J002139 999
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: Inline-6
- Transmission: Manual
Some vintage trucks are restored until they are too perfect to use, but this 1953 Chevrolet 3800 is headed in a far more interesting direction. With its weathered cab, one-ton stance, Montana grain-truck history, and hydraulic lift bed, it could become a distinctive farm hauler, shop truck, promotional vehicle, or working classic that earns its keep. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, it is offered as a no-reserve auction with a clean title.
The seller purchased this Chevrolet in 2010 and believes it originally served as a grain truck in Montana. It has remained garaged since the purchase and has only been moved in and out of the garage a few times. The odometer shows 82,863 miles, although actual mileage should be considered unknown.
The professional photos reveal a truck with plenty of honest commercial character. The cab wears faded blue paint with contrasting black front fenders, while the rear mud flaps read “Big Sky Country Montana.” The grille, running boards, steel wheels, amber cab lights, and upright Advance Design profile give it the purposeful appearance that makes these larger Chevrolet trucks so appealing.
The seller describes the body as being in good overall condition, with a dent in the roof reportedly caused by someone sitting on it and another dent in the grille. The finish shows scratches, fading, and surface aging, but that may be ideal for a buyer who would rather preserve the truck’s history than erase it beneath glossy paint.
Behind the cab is a hydraulic lift flatbed frame. The previous wooden deck has been removed, leaving the steel structure exposed and ready for the next owner to finish with lumber, steel, or a custom platform. The seller states that the hydraulic lift operated before the truck entered storage. The photos also show the bed structure, hydraulic components, rear axle, and chassis, where surface corrosion is visible from age and prior use.
An inline-six engine remains under the hood, along with its transmission, though the seller does not identify the engine or transmission specifications. Chances are it’s the original 216 cui engine, which was rated at 92 horsepower and 176 foot-pounds of torque. The truck retains its original-style six-volt electrical system and reportedly ran before being placed in storage. After approximately 16 years of being parked, it should be gone through prior to being run, but chances are it won’t take much to get it going again.
Work completed during the project reportedly included repairing the radiator, replacing a belt, replacing the front and rear brakes, and installing new wheel studs. A replacement wiring harness with a kill switch has been mounted to the firewall but has not yet been connected to the engine. The interior photos clearly show the unfinished wiring beneath the dashboard, so completing and testing the electrical system will be one of the next owner’s primary tasks.
The cab retains its original-style dashboard, gauges, large steering wheel, rubber floor covering, and bench seat. It is more functional than luxurious, exactly as expected in a working 3800. The bench has been recovered, and the dash and door panels look substantially complete, although the loose wiring confirms that this remains a project.
The seller had planned to finish the truck after retirement, but an unexpected health issue changed those plans. That leaves the next owner with a solid starting point rather than a dismantled basket case: the cab, drivetrain, hydraulic equipment, bed frame, brakes, and much of the electrical work are already present.
This Chevrolet probably is not the right choice for someone searching for a polished cruise-night pickup. It is far more appealing as an honest heavy-duty truck that can be completed without losing its weathered Montana character. Install a handsome wood deck, finish the wiring, recommission the mechanical systems, and this 1953 Chevrolet 3800 could once again haul equipment, advertise a business, or simply attract a crowd wherever it goes.
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