Grocery delivery was a hot topic over the last few years, but in the early 1900s, grocery trucks plied rural roads routinely. Called hucksters, their beds were made to showcase fresh vegetables, household sundries, hardware, and farm supplies. The trucks would load up in the city and, like wheeled convenience stores, deliver goods to farmers who couldn’t make it into the city during planting or harvest time. Here on craigslist is a 1923 Chevrolet Superior B huckster truck project, for sale at $12,000 cash. Located in Republic, Missouri, the truck will need to be fetched with a trailer. Thanks to Gunter Kramer for this useful tip!
Chevrolet built the Superior to compete with Ford’s Model T. Even back then, marketing staff were at work vying to influence customer opinion: calling its new vehicle “Superior” synchronized with Chevrolet’s catchphrase, “Chevrolet invites comparison, because comparison sells Chevrolets.” “Superior” referred to the new car’s ignition lock, electric starter, wind-up windows, full gauge set, and conventional gearshift and pedal layout. These items helped propel sales of the Superior series to around 800,000 from 1923 to 1926. Despite the extra features, the Superior’s price seriously undercut the Model T for comparable body styles. All Superior Bs were powered by a 171 cu. in. four-cylinder motor making 26 hp. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual floor-shift gearbox. Forty mph is probably the best you can expect from this little guy, which of course would have been plenty while traversing the rutted rural roads of yesteryear. The seller indicates this motor turns easily but does not yet run.
A spartan but effective interior was typical for the time. The workmanship is the product of a “very good” restoration in 2008. Chamfered posts are a nice touch. This truck apparently came in two styles at least: a roadster like our subject vehicle or a canopy version. Each featured a “ventilating windshield”, opening at the halfway mark to draw air from front to rear. Still, I don’t know if this body came on this particular Superior B, or if it was installed as a modification. That’s a question to ask the seller.
Whether this was the original body for this chassis or not, early hucksters are rare. Of course, rare does not mean valuable. Here at Hemmings, a driver-quality touring-bodied Superior needing a clutch sold for just $9500, and another with a later engine sold for $9750. Do you think the huckster body is worth the premium suggested by the seller?
No,,,to most, it’s just an antique truck. FOR an antique, however, it is surprisingly modern. “Huckster”, an appropriate name, as the word “huck” means to throw or toss, and you name it, was “thrown” into the back. I live in an artsy community, and they have art fairs in the park, and a vintage canopy type truck like this to display their wares, would be a hit. One couple sells ice cream from a vintage Dodge. The motor is missing the valve cover, and I’d love to hear someone ask, “what’s the oil can for”? Exposed valve train was always an oily mess. It’s an okay find, in that, many could operate it, and parades are still a big draw in small towns. Nobody plows their SUVs into parades here,,,at least not yet.
I like this, and it would be a big hit at our Farmer’s Market on Thursdays from late Spring to early Fall,,, but I seriously doubt any of our local farmers would pay to have this…. shame, cause I really like it
Huckster would have been perfect for Mr. Haney on Green Acres.
I don’t care for these old things, but this one might be ok to get running wouldn’t have a lot of money in it.
$12,000. for an old truck that don’t run? What’s the matter with these idiots? If you want premium dollar for your vehicle, at least make sure it runs and drives. $5,000 would be closer to actual value the way the truck is now.