Cummins-Powered Classic! 1949 GMC Car Hauler

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If you like big toys, check out this cool truck and trailer combination! While imperfect for daily use, the 1949 GMC and 1951 car hauler pair will certainly catch the attention of motorheads and young gearheads everywhere you travel. Imagine showing up at a car show with this rig and three of your favorite cars in tow! Cummins 12 valve turbo-diesel power brings reliable modern power to the GMC, and the seller claims it had no problems pulling the load you see here:  a 1964 Cadillac limousine and a 1963 Cadillac Fleetwood. The truck and trailer come to market here on eBay, where $11,500 seals the deal with Buy It Now. You can also tempt the seller with the Make Offer button. Thanks to reader Larry D. for spotting this interesting and unusual vintage bundle.

With 125k miles on the clock, this 5.9L (359 cid) 12 valve Cummins turbo-diesel will probably outlast the new owner’s appetite for occasional use. Identified in an earlier listing on TopClassicCarsForSale as a 6BT, the Cummins would have probably powered a 1989–1998 Dodge Ram pickup truck, according to Wikipedia. Combined with the Eaton six speed manual transmission, this drivetrain represents a major upgrade over 1949 technology. Hopefully the brakes and other systems have been thoroughly overhauled as well.

Thankfully the Safety Yellow respray did not infiltrate the interior. Replacing the decrepit bench seat may be the easiest upgrade on the to-do list for this hauler. The GMC looks like a 300 series, topping out around a GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) of 15,000 lb according to this 1949 Chevy Truck brochure. GMC offered a series of heavier trucks at the time for more industrial purposes.

Modern car haulers pay no attention to style, but this 1951 trailer looks ironically futuristic, and certainly offers more protection to the cars on the lower deck. Originally used to deliver shiny new inventory to Kaiser-Frazier dealers, this trailer could be stunning after, oh,  800 or more hours of sandblasting and paint. The extended wheelbase would give your onboard classics a smooth ride at the cost of high tongue weight on the truck. I’d be hesitant to throw a few priceless classics on the back of this rig and hit the road, but I believe it could be done for a fraction of what it would cost to buy a new and far more boring setup. Clearly this is more of a neat and potentially functional toy than anything that will see daily use, but it has great potential for the right buyer. As long as we’re just dreaming, what three cars would you put on the trailer?

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Comments

  1. Fahrvergnugen FahrvergnugenMember

    “Hit the road” indeed. With the rear axle so far back, this rig must bottom out on cobblestones, much less RR crossings or sleeping policemen…

    Was thinking this would be cool with an aluminum skin and decked out inside for a mondo camper rig…

    Like 4
  2. Howard A Howard AMember

    Well, as far as the trailer, which is a 4 car hauler, btw, get out the torch, unless you plan to haul 4 of your dozens of classics around. I suppose that would be cool, but the truck, naturally, is what I like. The “upgrade” doesn’t sound too well done. Modern S cam brakes would be the 1st thing I’d do and with a long nose like this, put a dozer motor in it, for cripes sakes. Dodge 5.9, pfft,( wimpy, wimpy) a 500 Cat will haul the mail.( Hefty, hefty) No “ring-ding” Detroits either,( I know it’s tempting, but just say no) what this truck originally had, I’m sure. And the 6 speed, while adequate for a pickup, not tough enough, as shown. Trucks like this are so hard to find, first, most were the cabover “Cannonball” type, and long noses were mostly sleeper rigs for long haul, which I’m sure this truck was. The sleeper, probably a “Mercury coffin”, long gone. Imagine for a second, what the driver or more likely, drivers of these rigs did for a living. I had it made compared to these guys. 2nd, trucks like this lived a rough life. Safety requirements not what they are today, most were used until the doors fell off, and then became “yard horses”, with an even worse life. I doubt many drivers that drove these are still around,,,,or coherent, but a tip of the hat to those that might be, or their kin, it was a rough life.
    Thanks, Todd, I bet you knew I’d have something to say.

    Like 10
    • Todd FitchAuthor

      Thanks for your thoughts as always, Howard. I’m no truck expert but I agree that the pickup-truck drive-train sounds a little light for a three or four car-hauler, though there are modern Hot-Shots with three car haulers in that vein. It seems like even this original ’49 GMC was in the 1.5 to 2.5 ton variety, used for school buses and farm trucks hauling hay bales, etc. There was another range of heavier GMC trucks for OTR duties. I like the lines but it’s a long way from something I’d load my LS6 Chevelle onto (assuming I had one) and head out for a 300 mile drive.

      Like 6
    • Raymond

      Damn boy, call up the RubberDuck and the Snowman and you gotcha self a fine convoy in ur head there….

      Like 6
      • Howard A Howard AMember

        Back in the 70’s, I had to recite the 1st 3 verses of both those songs to get my chauffeurs license,,,not really, but it wasn’t much tougher than that. You forgot one, however, Sonny Pruitt, all mentors, of sorts, for me.

        Like 5
  3. Harvey HarveyMember

    You get lot of metal for your 💰:-)

    Like 4
  4. geomechs geomechsMember

    Actually it’s a 640 from what I see. The stock engine could’ve been as big as a 426 gaspot or it could’ve been a 6-71 Detroit. If it was the latter I would’ve kept it instead of going to that washing machine motor. The gaspot? Well, if you like that $4.00 a gallon stuff… If that engine’s running a VE distributor type injection pump, the “2-stroke Joke” would’ve had a lot more power. But it’s nice to see these still around and not off to the scrapyard. If it came my way, I would be looking for something a little more substantial to power it. I like it otherwise. The car carrier? Well seeing as it’s already hooked up…

    Like 13
    • Mark C

      More substantial power like an 8v-71? Actually, all I really know about Detroit diesels is that they sound amazing and I’m told they have a fondness for oil. But I have to agree I sure like seeing these old rigs.

      Like 4
      • geomechs geomechsMember

        Detroit Diesels had more of a tendency to leak oil than burn it, thus the nickname (amongst others), “Green Leaker.” But if you kept them hot and worked them hard they tended to keep most of their oil inside the crankcase. “Slam your finger in the door and you’re ready to drive a Detroit,” was an old saying. Another one: “If they quit leaking oil you’d better check it; you might be out.”

        Like 6
      • Howard A Howard AMember

        Oh, oh, here we go, I had a feeling this would happen, more “fuel converter” jokes( converts diesel fuel into noise), oh sure, laugh it up funny guys, but my ears are STILL ringing from those worthless boat anchors, and it’s been 25 years! You had to drive them like you were pixxed off at them, and to some regard, that was true. Until you’ve spent a great deal of time sitting above or next to one, pulling a 73,000 # load with 238 hp, ( 2 cycle Detroits fell out of favor once 80K became standard, for obvious reasons) takes some finesse. The issue is, they, unlike modern diesels, had a very narrow “power band”, say, 1800 to 2150rpms sometimes as much as 2300, if the “gubnor” was sticky, and as soon as it fell below 1800, the power sunk like a stone, and a missed downshift could easily limit your forwardly progress,( with several expletives) with a boss wondering what took so long, careful planning was the key. It’s why the “Road Ranger” 13 speed was created, to keep the “needle agin the pin”, as it were. I bet at one time, 2 cycle Detroits powered probably half this countries trucks, they were that popular with fleets, they were cheap to rebuild and generally, the boss liked them because the driver couldn’t get any speeding tickets. I HAVE seen some “runnin Detroits”, the V-12, 475hp( est) “Buzzin’ Dozen”, was the one to beat, if it stayed together long enough, that is.
        In a more rational tone, you’re never going to run a truck like this for any business anyway, so I suppose, a motor like this will be fine, really, for pulling a small camper or “fissin” boat. I all but guarantee, you’d be the hit on the boulevard. Don’t forget the Cobra CB and dual antennas, NOT tilted forward, the equivalent of those saggy pants on some of these kids today.
        Obviously, I love trucks, and geomechs has heard most of my stories, but I “subscribe” to every truck post, and love to hear of others shenanigans. It wasn’t your “normal” job, that’s for sure.

        Like 11
      • Jay E.Member

        Really great post from Howard, clearly from a man who drove one.. Exactly my experience today driving my Kenworth with its Jimmy. You don’t even need to miss a shift, just not anticipate the exit speed, up hill, on a corner and you will be rowing for the next gear all the way down to stop. The neat sound stops being fun once you are in the cab with your eyes glued to the tach.

        Like 7
  5. Bob_in_TN Bob_in_TNMember

    I don’t know anything about the truck, but thanks to Howard and geomechs for their always-useful information. I don’t really know anything about the trailer either, other than when I saw it, my first thought was…

    … how completely different they are compared to today’s car hauling trailers. They now are a collection of interactive ramps, platforms, and hydraulic cylinders. Kind of mechanical masterpieces, in my view. Google says they haul up to 12 cars. I guess compared to this 70 year old example, the technology has advanced.

    Reminds me of a conversation I had with a car hauler not long ago. I was on a new car dealer’s lot and he was unloading pickups. I struck up a conversation and he was glad to chat. I learned that he was “senior” and had quite a bit of power in choosing his routes, so he mostly drove within 300 miles of his house so he could be home overnight as much as possible. He would be assigned a group of vehicles at the yard but it was his job to figure out how to best, and most safely, position them. Sometimes it wasn’t possible and he would have to go back to the scheduler and make adjustments. Rain made the ramps very slippery. And that damaging a vehicle could be a hit to his wallet, not the company’s. Frankly I can’t fathom being responsible for a half-million dollars of cargo. Maybe one of you Barn Finders has had this job and can add details.

    It would be cool to see both the truck and trailer spiffed up, but who knows if that is feasible.

    Like 6
  6. StanMember

    I dont see how a lite truck transmission is going to fare well here.
    And look out on a railway crossing as the 1st commenter said. Good call. Major issue that doesn’t end well.

    Like 2
  7. CATHOUSE

    If I had a whole lot of disposable income, and I do not, it would be fun to bring this whole rig back to life. Paint it bright yellow and letter it as a TONKA. While Tonka never made a toy that looked like a GM cab it still looks close enough to some of the car carriers that they did offer in the late 1950s to the early 1960s. Imagine the looks that you would get pulling into a show with a full sized Tonka.

    Like 6
  8. SG

    I’m more interested in the trailer than the truck. Always wanted to try hauling a few classics on a vintage drop belly trailer. The subject trailer looks a bit rough but could be saved.

    If anyone knows of another one for sale, let me know!

    Like 1
    • Howard A Howard AMember

      Actually, for it’s time, the trailer was quite state of the art, considering what car haulers used to be, nothing more than a flatbed and looks overbuilt, in true 1950’s fashion. I think it may be from the mid or even late 50’s and the cable winch was added later. The rear portion has a “spring assist” I’ve never seen, that raises the rear loaded car, probably still manually lifted somehow. These were probably built in the car companies shop with battleship technology, so I’m sure it still could be used. Most were cut up, as they were outdated as a car hauler, and not much good for anything else, so I doubt highly you’ll find another any time soon.

      Like 2
  9. ron wrobl

    not enough power,iguess you never saw all the dodge diesels pulling car trailers for used car lots,going to bottom out,has the roads got so bad since this was hauling new cars

    Like 0
  10. DeeBee

    Years ago I had a Tonka truck that looked pretty close to that, I think! The cab may have been closer to a Ford…

    Like 1
    • CATHOUSE

      Over the years a lot of Tonka trucks were based on the current year Ford trucks.

      Like 0
  11. Wes Holliday

    How many Mini Cooper, or Fiat 500’s would that trailer haul ?
    Or perhaps golf carts, think “Snow Birds” going south.
    Just a cool look.

    Like 1
  12. ryland tedeton

    Love these old rigs,,they take me back to my childhood days and working at a local truck stop in my high school years…

    Like 1
  13. 49GMCMember

    Love those mini fender mount rear view mirrors. You needed a 5 window cab to keep from side swiping someone. But still has a heck of a blind spot.
    Door cards look in the best shape of the interior.
    My first vehicle was a 49 GMC 1/2 ton 5 window. With radio.228 big block. Dad bought it for $35.00 from a local business that used it between shops in town in early 70’s. Still have it.

    Like 2
  14. BR

    What a cobbled up mess. This is only a medium duty class 7 truck. Note that it only has 6 lug Budd wheels on the front, but 6 spoke cast Dayton wheels on the rear (better carry two different spare tires). This is likely a 620 series, and was originally powered by either a 360 ci or 426 ci inline six gas engine (the larger series trucks had the 500 ci gas pot or the 426 ci Detroit 6-71). Also looks like it had twin chrome exhaust stacks – wonder where those went. What it really has going for it is that it’s a rare five-window cab on this size truck.

    Like 1
    • Howard A Howard AMember

      I saw that too on the wheels and may indicate a different rear axle, however Gunnar saw it too and is right, the front wheels are the same as the rear, just a fancy hub I’ve never seen. Looks as if a Budd or Dayton will work. I see some sort of cable mounted on the gearshift, so it may have a 2 speed, making it a 12 speed, but nothing else shown otherwise to indicate that. I don’t think that kind of motor needs a “split shift” setup anyway. Good catch on the exhaust mounts. THAT would tell me at one time this may have had a V8.

      Like 2
  15. Larry D

    Thanks, Todd.

    Larry D.

    Like 1
    • Todd FitchAuthor

      Our pleasure, Larry D! I hope our readers appreciate stuff like this after reading the 179th 1969 Camaro or Mach I. Both fine automobiles by the way. ;)

      Like 5
      • Larry D

        Very true, Todd. But I love the offbeat stuff too.

        Like 0
  16. Gunnar

    In the late 60s,a local salvage yard (Eagle auto parts) had a unit just like this. He had removed the upper section so he could haul crushed cars to the scrap yard in Beloit. If memory serves me correctly his was a 4 cylinder Detroit. George would always have his German Shepherd with him. The area in Beloit was a place you didn’t want to be after dark or even during the day after cashing in a load of cars. He said no one ever messed with him once they met his co-pilot. Looking closer at the first photo the front wheels appear to be Dayton wheels like the rears.

    Like 2
    • leiniedude leiniedudeMember

      Gunnar, I still stay out of Beloit, day or night.

      Like 2
      • Howard A Howard AMember

        It’s SOUTH Beloit( ILL) that’s trouble. Did you know, that’s the sound a turd makes when it hits the water? BE-LOIT,,just kidding, I hauled a LOT of eggs into Woodmans in Beloit before they became the mega-grocer they are today. Beloit, like most of Rock County took a pretty big hit when GM in Janesville went out. I think half of Rock County worked at GM. I remember an Eagle Auto Parts in Janesville, I think.

        Like 0
  17. leiniedude leiniedudeMember

    Merry Christmas Howard! I still enjoy the Beloit joke. I ran a crane at the Beloit Corp many years ago, 2nd shift. We would always go to the saloon after work. Most of the time back in Janesville to be safe. I grew up not far from the original little Woodmans store in Janesville. They have come a long way, and employee owned. My first job after high school was at Star Auto parts, a bone yard, I do not recall an Eagle store in J-ville. Have a great day Buddy! Oh, sunny and 40 in the Badger today!

    Like 0
    • Howard A Howard AMember

      Have a safe New Years, Mike, yeah, Woodmans, there’s a “rags to riches” story if I ever heard one. John Woodman started out in 1919 with a fruit stand in downtown Janesville, today has 19 stores and worth over $2 billion dollars.
      And it was Star parts, not Eagle, although, I’m sure I was to an “Eagle Junkyard” somewhere.

      Like 2

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