Dodge! Today, with its limited line-up, it speaks muscle. And while a high-performance component has been part of Dodge’s DNA for years, they made regular work-a-day vehicles, both cars and trucks, for generations. Early 1930’s Ford Model A trucks are a regular topic here on Barn Finds but a similar era Dodge? Not so much. But today, and for your review, that’s going to change as we have uncovered a 1933 Dodge HC31 pickup truck. It is located in Dayville, Connecticut and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $7,600, reserve not yet met.
I’d say that this Dodge qualifies as a barn find, based not only on its extremely dusty and untouched appearance but the fact that it has been off the road since 1955! Other than the missing bumpers, this truck seems to be intact and together, and that’s good news. The fenders, under their dust blanket, are showing signs of previous friction – they’re a bit rumpled, but the grille, headlights, running boards, and cargo bed look sound – the glass too. The neat-looking wire wheels, and the HC designation, are indicative of this Dodge’s 1/2 ton carrying capacity.
Moving inside, it’s difficult to say exactly what we are seeing. The seat appears to be missing – no word if it’s residing in some other place. The piled-up detritus isn’t totally recognizable so it may or may not belong in the cab or to this truck.
But…check out that instrument panel, it is typically old-world, with its font and hands, and is in surprisingly legible condition. As a matter of fact, modern-day hot-rodders pay a pretty stiff price to acquire new gauges that replicate these 88-year-old pieces.
Under the hood is what is believed to be a 70 HP, 190 CI, in-line, six-cylinder flathead. According to Allpar, 1933 marked the first use of a Chrysler sourced engine as opposed to using a Dodge Brothers unit. At first glance, other than the missing radiator hose, the engine shows to be intact but there is what appears to be a combined intake/exhaust manifold in the cargo bed so “completeness” may not be this engine’s strong suit. The seller advises that it does not run, and if it’s been sitting stationary for 66 years, there’s a good chance that it will be a worker to get freed up – if even possible.
Dodge trucks of this vintage don’t surface too often, I have only found one similar example covered on BF and that was about a year ago, though Power Wagons, of all ages, make regular appearances. And of course, as stated earlier, Ford Model A’s are pretty common as I know that I have covered several over the last year. So, what to do with this one? The seller suggests, “(there are) 2 Hemi engines available at extra cost NOT INCLUDED !!!!!” Yeah, that’s the ticket! Actually, I’d go for a stock restore – the lines of this old truck are just perfect, it’s a pretty solid base from which to start and you just don’t encounter a Dodge HC every day. But that’s me, what would you do?
This is about as good as it gets for true Barn Finds. A real Sleeping Beauty.
“La Belle Au Bois Dormant”
“From this slumber she shall wake when true love’s kiss the spell shall break”
(You decide where and how to kiss this one…)
Take the hemis too; fit them to fords or chevrolets in order to – and I quote – “irk the purists”. (Half Man Half Biscuit).
Some really great lines. These have gone under appreciated for too long…
Hot Rod .
that was my first thought …
Well I’m a purist when possible so just irk people like Derek those hemis would only go in Chrysler products.
God bless America
imho the prettiest truck made
I’m a newbie but I would go for a straight restoration…it looks too good to mess with…love the design just as it is.
The Head nurse spoke up she said leave this one alone. She could tell right away it was bad to the bone.
Ahhh…..the places we would go. The things we would see! If only…….
They were way too generous and transparent by providing ten whole photos that were taken with a potato and by not vacuuming the body filler dust off and by not washing it and by not pulling it out into the light.
Who the hell bids on stuff like this unless they went to look in person.
I’d also like to see pictures of all the extra parts mentioned in the ad. Most ads just don’t do that. Show us what’s included.
Very pretty truck. Rare and beautiful but it’s not as sweet as a 1934 or 1935 Terraplane pickup.
My Grandfather bought an early ‘34 (also suicide doors) new. I believe it was a “one ton”. It was the depths of the Depression so it was nothing down, sign the papers, pay me when you can. The livestock auction in Mankato MN. had shut down and farmers had no way to sell their hogs. My Grandfather raised potatoes, which he traded for hogs. My Dad was 12 in ‘34. He drove to Chicago -,Grampa rode along and consigned the hogs to the Chicago Auction. It was evidently a prosperous endeavor. He bought a new ‘35 Dodge car, and a new ‘40 Chrysler.
What did he do with the 1 ton 1934 Dodge Truck?
I love the body lines of this old ’33 Dodge HC 31 pickup. It’s up to $9,100 with the Reserve not met.
What a great looking old truck. Like others have said great lines. Get one of the Hemi’s and shock the heck out of everyone
Gosh what a great find and a solid Dodge truck beauty! So many ways you could go with any rebuild of a great truck like this, and any of them would be just fine. Someone’s gonna really enjoy this truck project!
I definitely wouldn’t kick something like this out of my shop, or off my driveway for that matter. Something as rare as this would need to be restored to a driver quality and driven. I could have a lot of fun with this, and I would enjoy it all the more bone stock. Of course, I couldn’t care less about holding freeway speeds; if I got 50 mph that would be fine with me. I might add that these weren’t designed to got any faster than that. I went for a drive in my BIL’s modified ’36 Dodge coupe and at 75 it was getting buffeted around quite a bit. It was OK at 65 but a lot of air was going in under those front fenders and it was acting like it was ready to fly. 50 is fine. I DO pull over in the passing lanes and let the import SUV jockeys pass and give me that single-digit wave…
You’re living in the wrong place. Here in Texas I drive slow antiques and get thumbs up. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten the single finger salute. But I don’t live in the city.
Actually in the Chinook Belt the vast majority of drivers are very receptive and enthusiastic about our old relics. They follow patiently, honk and wave, but then, a lot of them are still using antique (or just past their ‘Best Before’) trucks on a daily basis. Then there’s those (fortunately) very few jerks who think they’re entitled to the road and us peasants are in their way. I actually feel sorry for them, being so uptight. I just smile and wave. And continue on my way…
Now that’s a proper barn find! Not some rusty, beaten-on POS that deserves a place at the local ick-n-pull. I’d love to own this truck.
I’d pull the flathead 6 but, I’d hang onto it for a rebuild as time allows. In its place, I’d put either a 170 or 225 slant 6 (assuming that there’s enough space). Other than that, I’d make it roadworthy, clean it up and drive it.
Nice Truck !!
I did a barn find on the same truck in 1974. Bought it for $50, overhauled the engine and brakes and being a dumb college kid I sold it. Nice truck. Wish I had kept it. I had no place to store it.
What is the exact size of the truck bed? I looks small … is it as big as a 1/2 ton short bed pickup? My 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 4×4 has a bed size of 5′ wide with 4″-4′ between fender walls and 6′-4″ long. I would like to use it for hauling but I don’t think it is big enough? How big is a 1 ton 1933 Dodge? … Your comments please … — Richard
What did it sell for?
Are any of the Hemi engines available?