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?
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