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Little Red Fire Truck: 1952 Chevy Pickup

right-front

This Chevy 5 window pickup truck was owned by a volunteer fire department located near Albany, New York. It was rarely used when it was in service and records show it only has about 6,000 miles on it. Sometime in the 1970’s it was was taken out of service. It was always stored indoors. In 2014, it was brought back to life. The starter, gas tank and master cylinder were replaced. It’s listed here on eBay where the bidding is over $7000 with 3 days to go. However many miles it has, it looks like it’s been well taken care of and might really be rust free.

inside

The upholstery looks tired, but the dash and steering wheel sure look nice. Perhaps it was used for a lot of very short trips, but the seat and floor mat appear to have seen a lot more than 6,000 miles.

bed

The bed looks well used but in good shape.

engine

The engine could use some cleanup. Is that an alternator? It still has the “Thrift Master” lettering on the rocker cover.

under

The pictures of the underside seem to have only show surface rust. Why do you suppose someone painted the transmission?

left

It’s got a few dents and dings, but this old truck appears in amazing shape for a 63 year old. It might be fun to just drive it as it is. There will no doubt be other repairs needed, but it looks ready to drive. This would be a great way to have the utility of a pickup, a classic vehicle for car shows and parades and the paint might just discourage your friends from asking to borrow it. What do you think someone will be willing to pay for this pickup? They are said to be selling for between $9,000 to $20,000 for a really nicely restored examples. Do you think there’s any chance this little fire truck will be preserved as it is?

Comments

  1. Avatar Bobsmyuncle

    RPainted the transmission? With wind blown tranny fluid sure.

    Nice old truck, I’d roll this just as found.

    Shame they took the roof mounted light/siren.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar another Bob

    I wonder how many of the volunteer firefighters asked to buy it before they put it on ebay?
    It would have been nice for it to go to one of them.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar angliagt

    These are cool old rigs.I had a ’60 Chevy 1 ton panel
    that had 5,100 miles on it.I ended up selling it,because,at 20ft-
    long,I had nowhere to keep it out of the weather,& couldn’t stand
    to see it rust away in the Winter.
    The siren is behind the bumper.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bobsmyuncle

      See the black and white photo to see the siren/light combo mounted on the roof.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar JimmyinTEXAS

    I wouldn’t touch a thing for a year or two. Get the locals used to seeing it putter around. Then spice some things up and re-debut it to the local hot rod club…

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Ck

    The fire dept in the town of Somerset Ma. had a mid 60’s 4×4 chevy panel truck for years . .I’m pretty sure it was hardly ever used ,you were able to see it parked in the back of the garrage whenever the doors were open .Not really sure what happend to it but its long gone.Man that truck was kool.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Ck

    Hmm didnt say any thing about this truck in my last post,im easily distracted i guess. I woulden’t do a thing to it its looks like a nice old truck.It was probably maintaind on a pretty regular basis while it was in service as well.I would fix what needs to be fixed and show her off.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar John H. in CT

    From thw length of the bed, this looks to me to be a 3800 3/4 ton, which is less desireable than the half ton 3100. Not sure why the louvers are missing below driver side mirror ( see pic of passenger side for louvers), but that is one of the first places for major rust on these. I would want to take out my magnet to check for bondo before I got overly excited on this one.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bobsmyuncle

      Good eye.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Eric H.

      Passenger side louver is for the heater air intake. There was never a louver on the driver’s side.

      Like 0

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