Chevrolet introduced its AK pickup in 1941 as an update to the ’39-’40 Master series, produced it for a couple of years, then turned to supporting the war effort. In 1945, civilian production resumed, but with painted trim rather than chrome, commonly called “blackout” models. Materials shortages eased by late 1946, when bright trim was restored. While real chrome was the only change to the truck – which was really a pre-war design – Chevrolet trumpeted the fancy look as if it were new. Here on eBay is a heavy-duty 1946 Chevrolet pickup, ready for resurrection, with a buy-it-now price of $3500 or offer. Given the model year and the 11,000 lb GVWR, this is a 4100. The seller says it is a short-wheelbase version, not currently running, and formerly owned by Phillips 66. For buyers in states with picky DMVs (all of us?), note there is no title.
The AK came with either a 216.5 cu. in. in-line six-cylinder Thriftmaster engine, or for “heavy duty” trucks, a 235 cu. in. Loadmaster with higher torque ratings. This one is the 216. It turns by hand and the three-speed manual shifts through its gears. Top speed will be in the 45 mph area, but these weren’t highway cruisers – they were workhorses. The best companies of industrial America vied to equip these trucks, making them into log/cement/oil/gravel haulers – you name it. Dealer brochures were veritable Christmas catalogs of enthralling customization opportunities.
Obviously, the interior is a bit tatty after decades of storage, but these finishes were not exotic so cabin restoration won’t be difficult. Note that the windshield still cranks out, but the glass is cracked. The seller indicates that the metal is solid above and below the windshield, an area commonly vulnerable to rust. Barely visible here is the floor starter and the reverse lockout switch on the gear lever.
The grille is in good shape; note the hand crank hole in the center vertical slat. The sheet metal isn’t perfect but who is after almost eight decades. For guidance on values, Marketbook is a great resource. Scanning sales results hints that it’s going to take a discount off the seller’s buy-it-now to get this handsome beast into a new barn. This sale of a restored 6400 flatbed is more evidence that there’s not much headroom for fiscal indiscretion here. How would you tackle this truck project?
I don’t consider this ’46 4100 a pickup, this is a heavy-duty commercial grade stake body truck. You’re limited to a top speed of 45 mph, so highway travelling is out of the question. It might make for a cool work truck to advertise a business, but you’ll be limited to tooling around town only. It might be a fun project for restoration as it seems to be complete and not a rust bucket.
I like to see old trucks like this, and to visualize the work they did, and the no-no-nonsense people who used them. I hope this one can be brought back, perhaps used as a business advertisement, parade participant, etc.
To clarify, as the door lettering shows, it probably was owed by a local company which was a distributor of Phillips 66 products (gasoline, lubricants).
That’s a truck not pickup.
Yup, agreed.
So what’s a pickup truck? Lol
where is this truck located?
If you look at the eBay ad, it says Murdock, MN. If you’re not interested enough to click on the link, you’ll never know..
My fault, I should have put that in the article….
Yeaa…love the old trucks..got a 58 6400 viking…and a 60 appachi 10.
Nice price. The shipping cost would be more than the cost of the truck.
Most of these I have seen have been 4 spds, my Dad had quite a few lend-lease Chev’s after the war as timber jinkers and all of them were 4 spds
Definitely a long way from a pickup. A 1 1/2 ton anyway. When I entered the repair business in ‘71 there were still a number of trucks this vintage in regular service. Of course when you look at the trucks today it’s very common to see 25 year old trucks still hard at it. I sure hope this truck is allowed to continue on its way and not become another vintage cab being perched on top of another 3/4 ton diesel chassis…
There is a factory designation for the heavy duty trucks. Anyone remember what it is?