Some vehicles featured on Barn Finds can charitably be described as down on their luck. They may have lived a hard existence, yet somehow managed to live to see yet another new year. The mere fact that they survived gives them positive karma in searching for what should finally be a good home. This 1945 Dodge T-Series pickup for sale on Craigslist in Cambria, California certainly has earned the right to be fixed up. The problem is that the poor truck is in very rough condition. So rough that a perfect restoration is out of the picture. Yet, there is surely someone out there who would take a chance on returning to the road a rough old truck if the initial price was attractive enough. Do you think the $3,600 asking price is too high for this poor old Dodge? If so, what would be a fair offer? Thanks go again to numskal for yet another interesting find!
When Dodge debuted the redesigned T-Series trucks in 1939, few had any idea how pivotal these vehicles would be in both the company’s history and the history of the world. The company went all-in on the truck market, offering to provide a truck for every use imaginable. Customers could choose from six different weight ratings, twenty wheelbase choices, and a myriad of different bodies. These trucks were advertised heavily as being “Job-Rated,” and they were. Despite being successful in the civilian market, the real test for these trucks occurred when war was declared.
World War II was radically different than all previous wars due to the widespread use of mechanized warfare. Battles could be won and lost by the speed of attack and the ability to provide for the front lines. Dodge produced a tremendous number of trucks for the war effort in varied configurations using many of the parts from the T-Series prewar trucks. These trucks also formed the basis for an offshoot vehicle that would come to be called the Power Wagon. With four-wheel drive and a war-proven drivetrain, the Power Wagon would stay in production until 1968. When hostilities ceased, the company rebranded these trucks as the W-Series. Their service came to an end in 1947 when Dodge introduced a new pickup for civilian markets.
If you are looking to add a pristine example of one of these handsome trucks to your collection, this may not be the vehicle for you. This truck, advertised as a 1945 model despite having no paperwork in the DMV system according to the seller, is for someone who wants to get started fixing up an old truck and has a limited budget. On the negative side, this truck’s panels are as lumpy as a can of busted biscuits. There is not a panel on this truck that is pristine. The good news is that the truck runs and drives. It even has a disc brake conversion of undisclosed origin on the front. Unfortunately, the brakes currently don’t work very well. You will not be driving this Dodge home unless you plan your stops well in advance.
There are a few other positive aspects about this truck. The seller assures us that the engine, transmission, and rear end are all original to the truck. The cab corners also appear to not be rusted through. A quick perusal of the pictures reveals that nearly everything you need is there minus the tailgate, the spare tire and its mount, and maybe some trim here and there.
With a clearly stated firm price of $3,600, it may take the seller a while to find someone willing to take on this challenging project. That stated firmness may be softening though. The ad has been up for 23 days. It doesn’t hurt to make a call and learn more about this truck and maybe feel out the seller’s mood. Perhaps they need to start the year with a little folding money in their pocket and you may need a project to keep you busy in the months to come.
What would you do with this Dodge pickup if it were yours? Do you think it is worth the asking price? If not, what would a fair offer be? Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments.
“ Lumpy as a Can of Busted Biscuits”-perfect description. This old workhorse would be a great weekend partner once the mechanicals were dialed in, and not one you’d worry about getting door dings in the parking lot at the local hardware store, honest as the day is long.
Hmm, I read production for pickups resumed in late 1945 for the ’46 models. I read only a handful of WC pickups were sold in 1945, and as a “blackout model” only. This could be one of those trucks. If so, rare as hand signals today. I’d love to have it and was what I was looking for before the ’77 Square body. Great find.
Shoot! my last daily looked worse than this! Go through the mechanicals and drive it!
I purchased a mostly restored 1946 Dodge panel truck years ago. It was great fun, except for one major issue that I failed to consider. I was living in a rural, hilly area with only curvy two lane roads and lots of locals and tourists clamoring to get somewhere. The flathead six was good for about 45-50 mph on flat and much less on hills. Driving it became progressively more uncomfortable, seeing a line of cars behind me and no shoulder or turnout to get out of the way or being subjected to questionable passing maneuvers. I found it to be a difficult vehicle to operate in today’s (years ago) traffic, and I sold it after about two years.
If he wants to sell it, he needs to provide a title. It’s been posted on CL long enough, 28 days, for him to get one. The downside risk is on the buyer when it should be with the seller. I wouldn’t pay more than 50% of what you could get by parting it out.
Steve R
I agree with the title part.
That’s a dealbreaker.
How’s a buyer to know if it’s stolen, etc.
I’d love to have it but too far away.
And no title!!
I came close to buying one of those before I happened upon my ‘47 Ford. I could have bought it for $100.00. But a guy from out of town swept in and picked it up. That was okay as the Ford came in a week later and it was only $90.00. And I drove it home.