Cab-over trucks occupy a unique place in the vintage vehicle market, as their innovative design keeps trucks like this 1953 White 3000 on the radars of enthusiasts looking for a slightly larger restoration project. Despite their crudeness compared to modern truck cabs, the stylish looks and “stubnose” front end will ensure examples like this one here on craigslist look absolutely stunning when (if?) restored.
Now, some of you might argue it shouldn’t be restored given the excellent period graphics from this White’s last working gig. I could see that point, but the branding that’s left on the doors isn’t exactly a hand-painted logo or exotic script that would be difficult to re-create, so I wouldn’t sweat losing the faded original graphics if it were mine.
While ultimately simple machines, the seller notes several issues: drive shaft broken off; air brake lines have been cut off; electric motor to raise cab is missing; cab floor needs replacing; “…plus other rust and body work, including the battery compartment door on the passenger side step is missing.” At least the asking price is only $2K.
Now, if you’re looking for a similar project but can’t stomach the cost of shipping this White 3000 all the way from Minnesota, we do have one in the Barn Finds Exclusive Georgia Collection for sale, at around the same price point with slightly fewer issues. Either way, these old COEs are from a bygone era and would make a great addition to any collection.
Another good find, not great, pretty tired. Coming from a concrete block company, this old gal hauled some ball-busters, I’m sure. In the 50’s, these were the most ubiquitous trucks, they were everywhere, until the Ford C series cab over took it’s place. I believe these were made into the 60’s with no change in appearance. Be a big job putting the cab on a newer chassis, and would require redoing this one, and not sure it would be worth it. There were so many of these, I’d be surprised if this is as nice as you find. Looks like a parts truck for a couple hundred bucks, as nice ones go for about $5-6g’s.
http://www.collectorcarads.com/White-3000/79765
Look what can happen with a little mechanical ability… And leftover imagination… From some 60s MAGICAL MYSTERY TOURS.
Deco liner … it was even on storage wars
The base of this was the old front wheel drive RV like the one in “Stripes” they just grafted the nose on
This was at a Scottsdale BJ a few January’s ago. Quite striking, inside AND out. The builder expended A LOT of sweat equity and or money, in the build of the big one. The little one wasn’t there or at least I did not see it.
There’s been one on Craigslist in Deming, NM for – uh, you ready for this . . . choke, choke, cough cough – $11,000. Get’s listed off and on for the last five years now . . . Placing over-priced Craigslist ads must be a hobby I guess
A lot of these out west although they had a reputation for cab troubles. Going to take a dedicated enthusiast to get the truck looking new again. Good trucks but the ride, I’m sure, made people shorter. Definitely not a powerhouse but you couldn’t work one to death. I would hate to see something like this scrapped although it may well serve its purpose being a parts truck.
Certainly cool but with all of its needs, it sounds like scrap metal.
Broken drive shaft, no brakes, no motor to raise cab….I’m in!
I see these adapted to car haulers or just customized at least once a year out here on the West Coast. They pop up at almost every car event I go to. They are pretty cool…probably makes more sense to buy one that’s done….
But very cool.
I searched back through the Georgia collection but didn’t see the White you mentioned.
Have any pics?
Price?
Thanks
Paul
I’m looking for a White 3000 but I’m on the west coast. Anyone got any leads?
Thanks
Jesse
Looks like the ideal base to recreate one of Tex Collins’ crazy, Allison-powered drag racers (the original still exists, BTW)…
These White COE trucks were commonplace in SoCal during my misspent youth.
Yes, as a kid I remember his shop in North Hollywood, just off Lankersheim on Magnolia, wasn’t it? He also somehow shoe-horned an Allison into/under an Isetta body too!
One of the first car magazines I ever bought as a grade-school kid, maybe THE first actually, was some hot-rodding magazine around 1967 or 1968 which had an article about a truck just like you describe. It might have been the same one. It fascinated me and I’ve had a liking for these old Whites ever since.
I always like the style of these. There were many in a lot just south of the Sherwin Williams plant on the south side of Chicago. When going home from grandma’s house I would look at these and try to figure out what I could do with one. (Hey, I was 10-13 years old and the trucks were not going anywhere!)
This one needs too much to be a fun project. But I am still not sure what I would do with one, other than just use the body on a modern chassis with a camp trailer parked on the frame behind it. It is rather aerodynamic in design.
I remember that lot, on the west side frontage road of I-94, wasn’t it? Like in the 70’s, 80’s. I always wanted to stop there, but one day, they were all gone.
I have a couple of these out on the farm! I have thought about doing a kinda low rider resto on one of them just for fun! White eventually merged with Volo! Hence White Volo! Now Mercedes builds Volvo! Who would have ever predicted such a mess! LMAO, have a great morning guys!
1957 I was 10. Dad was hauling for Atlas Van Lines with one of these. That was the year I learned to drive my first trailer.
Like a desease, didn’t stop for 50 more years.
Yes Howard you are correct! Yes I was a little disappointed when they were gone also. ( even though there was nothing I could have done with them at the time). I was trying to remember how many there were. 8 maybe? I believe it was about 1970 or 1971 when I was driving home from a softball tournament ( in my ’55 Chev convert) and noticed that they were gone. ( if my memory serves me correctly as there weren’t too many times after that when I would go by there)
Back in the day, a couple of times, I drove stuff in worse shape than that.