- Seller: Park J (Contact)
- Location: Cathlamet, Washington
- Mileage: 01285 Shown
- Chassis #: 5QRB1140
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 235 cui Inline-6
- Transmission: 4+2 Manual
Cabover trucks always seem to draw a crowd, and this restored 1948 Chevrolet 5100 Loadmaster has the kind of presence that would be difficult to ignore. With its short nose, upright cab, bright blue finish, and working-truck proportions, this 2-ton Chevrolet offers plenty of vintage commercial charm. Located in Cathlamet, Washington, it is offered as a Barn Finds Exclusive with an asking price of $24,000.
Power comes from a 235 cubic-inch inline-six, which the seller states was rebuilt less than 1,000 miles ago. The truck is equipped with a 4+2 transmission setup and a two-speed rear differential with vacuum shift, giving it the traditional heavy-truck driveline configuration expected from a period commercial hauler. The odometer currently shows 1,285 miles, and the truck is offered with a clean title. Unfortunately, we don’t get a look at the engine, but hopefully it is as clean as the rest of the truck.
The seller describes the Chevrolet as a restored original example and notes that it has been converted to 12-volt electricals with new LED lighting throughout. The truck is also said to have no rust, no leaks, and like-new tires, which makes this sound like a better-sorted truck than most vintage medium-duty trucks that we come across.
Out back is a dump bed, adding real utility to the truck’s nostalgic appeal. Whether used around a property, taken to local shows, displayed as business advertising, or simply enjoyed as a vintage conversation piece, this Loadmaster appears to offer far more character than a modern work truck. One unusual bonus is included for buyers with restomod ambitions: the sale also comes with a 2014 Chevrolet C-30 host chassis, reportedly fitted with a new 350 engine showing approximately 24,000 miles. The donor chassis is said to run and drive and comes with a set of six 19.5-inch GM wheels. That gives the next owner the option to enjoy the cabover as restored or to use the included chassis as the foundation for a modernized build.
Restored vintage cabovers do not appear every day, and this one combines classic Chevrolet styling with a rebuilt six-cylinder engine, a dump bed, and a bonus modern chassis. For someone looking for a unique shop truck, show hauler, promotional vehicle, or restomod starting point, this 1948 Chevrolet Loadmaster deserves a close look.
I like this old Chevy!!! Very nicely done, the body looks solid and total respect for keeping the 235 straight 6 and original trans and rear. This would be a lot of fun to put-put along a nice back 2 lane road. And another nice thing is the interior, it looks just as nice as the exterior. I really hope this goes to a good new home that will enjoy it.
Weeeeeelll, this color is a bit,,,festive, for me, it was the color of my parents dinette set, but this “Loadmasher” [sic] is a sharp truck. I’m pretty sure this truck was a stake bed, as it’s too long to be a road tractor, and the flatbed was added later. Cabovers were just gaining steam after the war, and all the truck makers offered one. While this isn’t considered a true cabover, more like a cab forward, they literally dominated the delivery truck scene. Someone is going to get a sharp rig, and by all means, get a CB radio!
These were sometimes called a “snub nose”. Ford also had a Henry Hauler version during the same years too.
10-4 Howard 🎙
You couldn’t ask the seller for some engine pictures before you posted it?
I remember in the mid 80s my next door neighbor had one of these, a ’52 cabover with a stake bed. It wasn’t a dually but it was equally cool with a dark green finish. They drove that thing everywhere too. I don’t know what they did with it since they moved and took it with them. I’d certainly jump at the chance to own one like his, but not this rig, it’s a little too “commercial” for me.
Can you add some photos of the rebuilt engine?
First I would tell the seller to keep his restomod parts for another project!! Then dicker the price WAAAAY down to a reasonable figure. This looks to be a great truck just as it is!! DO NOT RUIN IT!! A turnkey vehicle to enter or expand your antique truck hobby while at the same time having a handy truck for weekend work. As Driveinstyle says, this is a back roads, leisurely drive ride which will be a real conversation starter at shows and Cruise Ins.
I’m with you, knock the price of the late model chassis off the ask, don’t change anything, just drive it, use it every chance you get.
Nice car hauler to transport your pristine concours high dollar show car to shows. You don’t ever have to off load it. Of course getting there takes a bit of time and exercise. In its current state this old truck is a handful to operate. No power steering or power disc brakes. And going through the gears is a massive operation in itself. Clutch operation is mandatory, sometimes requiring double clutch action. You could put everything on the modern drivetrain that comes with it making everything easier to operate, but somehow that seems to delete all the historical facts of this rig. For me it’s got to be left as is.
God Bless America
A nice Metropolitan on back would look nice.
These do make good looking car haulers, even for larger cars (or a Suburban if you like). The 235 might get you there very fast but it will get you there. And if the truck is mostly stock, then everyone you pass along the way will be glad to see you. That is, unless the passerby drives an import SUV and his laxative has suddenly kicked in…
Geomechs, I think I’ve said it before, but you’ve got the greatest pictures of old trucks . I always like seeing them. Thats just great.
Why, thanks! I love pictures. I take thousands of pics a year and probably have close to 20K at my disposal. Most of my pics, I’ve taken myself but there are a lot that I simply download, while others, I swap. No doubt I might get myself into trouble with some but I never charge for them unless they’re pics I’ve taken for a magazine feature which are subsequently copyrighted…
GEO, I do not know if Chevvy built an inline 6 bigger than the 235??? BUT many of these were repowered by the GMC 261.
I think the 261 was actually built in Flint, MI, the same place that turned out the 235. There was always some controversy over who actually was in charge of that engine. I worked on lots of 261 engines over the years and they were in larger Chevy trucks but there were some differences. Of course in ’63 there was a major change in engines. Chevy built everything from the 194 to the 292 after that, and GMC was building its V6’s and up in Pontiac…
2 hopes immediately popped to mind on seeing:
Hope it is never made into hot rod, pick up, etc;
Hope it continues to have a work life.
The same thing I’m wishin for my 74 (in 20 days) year old a$$
8^ )
@ chrlsful….. I think theres quite a few people on here that would give that last sentence you said a whole hearted amen to that. The whole thing you said.
Right behind ya,73 next month.
Gotcha beat!! 81 last month..
Shame that there are no engine pics.
I love it when these are restored and don’t sacrifice their cabs to some hot-rodder who probably won’t finish the project.
I have an ongoing feud with a friend of mine who attempted to make a pair of ‘57 LCFs into a crewcab. He ended up losing all ithe way, with the truck getting hauled away for scrap. We don’t talk anymore…
GEO, Thank You!!! Sadly there is a lot of that going on.. Good idea, then they lose their motivation when the time, effort, and checkbook get in the way.
I would love to hear what Scotty G. would think about the lack of engine photos.
You’re probably going to be safer on the 2 lane black top roads, since the old “big trucks” had a top speed of about 45mph. It’s already been said but, I’m glad to see it in It’s original version and not turned into a hot rod
I LOVE this truck!
It’s so refreshing to see a COE truck that’s still stock. An alarming number of these have been heavily modified.
Sadly I’m in no position to buy this truck, but I really really hope that whoever does buy it resells the 2014 chassis and keeps this truck stock!