There’s something to be said for the simple, no-frills workhorses that helped America get back on its feet after WWII. An engine, four wheels, crank windows and a heater – what more did we really NEED in those days? We present to you today this ’49 Chevy, only mildly altered from stock, up on eBay here in Delmar, Maryland. Less than 48 hours left, let’s check it out!
When Louis Chevrolet and GM founder William Durant started doing their thing in November of 1911, they couldn’t possibly have known what lofty heights and sub-terranean lows the company would reach over the next hundred years or so, and what a wide range of machines their small endeavor would eventually produce. Today, many millions of vehicles of all kinds have been produced, around the world, all bearing some semblance of the Chevrolet name and iconic “bowtie” logo.
The truck we see before us today has that well-used but fully functional vibe. The seller provides us with some really good pictures (even if they are all sideways) and a decent description. We’re told and can see that its heart has been transplanted with a 283-cubic-inch Chevy V8, and that its drive axle is now one from a ’57 Chevy passenger car. It’s got a three-speed manual transmission, all new wiring, and we are led to believe that it has very little rust. Apparently, everything works as it should, so there’s one less headache for the next owner.
Let me tell you, I dig trucks like this. I dig fancypants trucks, too, but there’s just a certain something about a well-put-together vintage machine that doesn’t have all the whistles and bells of modern technology stuffed inside. After all, what do we really NEED in a truck, anyway?
That’s what I think, how about you? Let us know in the comments!
This guy has everything I like. Good body and frame with an updated power train. Nice!
eBay listing photos are ANNOYING!
HOW HARD is it to rotate your photos?!? :-O
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Nice truck though! (y)
Appears to be a very nice truck. Also, looks like reserve is over 13K, I think that is getting close to max for this truck. I can’t complain though, I love the 50’s trucks and I have bought, built and sold, several, therefore I have been on both sides of the fence. Their popularity great for selling ,not so much when buying. If you are not wanting to flip this truck, I think it would be a fairly decent buy, to around 15K.
The high bid was $13,800 but did not meet reserve.
Steve R
No matter how you look at it this guy did a good job. I wouldn’t have done it that way but then it isn’t my truck. The old 216 would’ve done everything I wanted it to do, even holding up traffic. But this is going to be a nice truck for someone to have. That 283 will definitely wake it up…
My thoughts too folks! That’s how we built ’em when I was a teenager. But back then, we built ’em to go fast and look good too. Checks all my boxes
except an automatic transmission and
power steering. I’d need those so that Sis could drive it with little effort. I’d also paint it a dark green metallic. Eff
the patina, it’s all rust.
All you needed back then in your toolbox was a straight head , Phillips head screwdriver, a 9/16” a 1/2” wrench and maybe a pair of channel locks and you can fix anything on that truck. Lift your feet to jumpstart 😂
Very sweet little pickup. Great start on a potentially cool project!
Ya really didn’t “need” the heater!!
“There’s something to be said for the simple, no-frills workhorses that helped America get back on its feet after WWII. An engine, four wheels, crank windows and a heater – what more did we really NEED in those days?”. You said it best, Russell!
I load bulk mulch with a Bobcat, and the weekend warriors come in with a “truck” that the bed is so small I have to load diagonally for the bucket to be in the bed.
Way overpriced at $13K so did not sell. Perhaps will at $8k?
I hate to say it, but as I get older , I need AC . everything else I don’t even particularly want.
Well I’m not particularly fond of the heat here in se NC but I’m not going to retrofit my VW thing because a/c would cut my horsepower in half and ruin the originality of my 34 Terraplane.
Really nice truck and a lot more go fast parts are available for the 283 then most Chevy straight sixes!! However the way it is is just fine!! Would make for a great weekend drive!!!
I would personally leave it as is, but add a/c, being 60+ and living in the South. “Pretty Trucks” are good for looking at, but I have always used my trucks for what they were made for, hauling things. Cars are made for speed and/or comfort, trucks for hauling, at least on my budget. But to each his own.
I have a ’53, all original with original paperwork and stickers (minus a new radiator this summer as I could no longer save the original) and the 216. I would hope that if the current owner put in a 283 he also update the brakes and changed the front end .. lots of power for the original set-up. I would think $13-15 would be a good price .. and if no ther must be lots of rich people in NC! Good luck!
More than not these things were used for farm work back in the day and the rear ends they put under them were like tractors. I love the simplicity of them old trucks.