This 1928 Chevrolet one-ton, pickup truck struck me as interesting. Being a ’28 would make this a one-year-only AB National model, but I don’t recall encountering a one-ton version; prior discoveries have been of lighter capacity examples. Claimed as a discovery, this truck does have originality on its side. Barn Finder T.J. noted this truck residing in Grayland, Washington and it’s available, here on craigslist for $6,900. The seller claims this is a reduced price but neglects to mention the previous ask.
Chevrolet sold trucks of this nature in three different ways in ’28, they came as just a powered chassis and then had the option of an open or closed cab. This example is surprisingly intact and does not appear to have been modernized or altered in its 94 years of existence. It’s listed as a “true barn find” (aren’t they all?) but there are no specifics provided beyond that. It is stated as being a repaint and residing indoors so the wear to the roof and cargo bed probably occurred earlier in life when it was kept outside and used for whatever its intended purpose was. The seller mentions some rust issues but the cab, in particular, looks pretty sound. I suppose that I never thought much about cab roof construction on a vehicle of this generation, but the accompanying image of the exposed lathing is educational – it was probably a slow undertaking to facilitate all of that woodworking and placement.
This bowtie is a non-runner though the 35 HP, 171 CI in-line, four-cylinder engine will turnover by hand. The valve cover is obviously missing and is not in the possession of the seller. Listed with a recorded mileage of 23K miles, there is no claim to that authenticity so how much use this four-banger has experienced is unknown. The gearbox in question is a four-speed manual unit.
There are no thorough images of the interior so it’s unknown if a seat is in place – curious that it would be photographed in such a manner. What can be seen, the environment is an exercise in minimalism and that trend continued with light trucks through the sixties, and in some cases, even into the seventies. As is typical for this time, the windshield is a two-piece arrangement that folds out to allow air circulation – imagine allowing that feature today!
OK, so now it’s what to do with it time. A stock restore is probably the most easily obtainable because of the stock condition and originality that exists. One could go the modified route but the long cargo bed, which looks like a very solid and heavy piece, may not lend itself well to such an undertaking. What’s your take, if you were interested in this Chevy National, what direction would you take it?
Flatbed has different definition in my vocabulary .
as in mine. We have owned a number flatbeds over the years and this isn’t like the ones I have seen in the past.
OK, I can see your point, I changed it.
JO
There may not even be a valve cover for it? I remember seeing an early Chevrolet at a show that was open like this. Every so many miles you were supposed to stop and oil the valve train. I think there was even an oil can mounted under the hood. It would be a shame to do anything other than a restoration on this, I don’t think I’ve ever seen another one.
Hi gg85, this should have a valve cover, the wires go through it and held on by a single nut. I think by the late 20’s, exposed valve trains were done.
Green is noice.
That is neat. It should be restored to original. Looks pretty decent too.
I read, this truck sold for $610 new, or almost $10 grand today, a hefty investment for the upcoming depression.( the what, grandpa? You’ll see, as grandpa smirks) This truck was actually quite modern, things like better lubrication, improved clutch and ignition. While it still had mechanical brakes, on all 4 was new also. Us old farts aren’t completely gone,,yet, and some gray ( or no) hair will save this. After that, not sure, what’s a “Snowflake” going to do with a hundred year old Chevy truck? Great find.
Well, I’m 29 and building a 1936 Plymouth coupe from the ground up. There’s a lot of us around.
Good luck with your project!
JO
Great to hear, Ryan, good luck with that ’36.
Would be neat to hear an update some day.
Back when I was a whipper-snapper in the 50’s a neighbor had a 29 model very similar to this, but he had the bed removed and set aside and one rear wheel removed with a large saw blade attached. He used it to cut the lumber he used to build his house. People were very innovative in those days. He likely built his house in the 40’s when building supplies were hard to come by, unless you were building a chicken coop which a lot of people said they were doing while really building a house. I could see this old truck being restored for parades or museum, but not likely as a usable truck.
I think that if that body came with the truck from the factory, it would be called an express body. At least that is what Ford called theirs.
Up until about this vintage, Chevy just used a tin lid on top. I don’t think that the valve train was lubed by anything but the driver’s oil can that had a convenient location on the firewall. During the latter part of the 20s Chevy was hard at work getting the Stovebolt Six on the road so the old 4-banger had to take a back seat to everything else…
Wouldn’t be that difficult to make a valve cover if indeed it’s supposed to have one. And what a great truck to use going to farm auctions (of which there are dozens here in Michigan alone) as well as flea roasts and ox markets. Wish I had the time to fix this up and get it on the road. Hope nobody decides to abuse it by changing it.