Update 7/13/20 – After being bid up to over $6k and not selling for some reason, this cool cabover has been relisted here on eBay with no reserve!
From 5/28/20 – COE’s (Cab-Over-Engines) are a great sub-set of the classic truck hobby. While they share a lot of the same components with their light-duty cousins, the exaggerated hoods and tall stances make them very unique. If you line this one up in a row of standard 1954 Chevy trucks, you can guarantee that this COE would get the most attention. It can be found here on eBay with a current bid of $5,450. Currently located in Ogden, Utah, the seller states the truck spent its whole life in Utah near Cedar City. Take a look at this awesome project!
Although these trucks were made for work, the interior on this one has obviously seen better days. The metal appears to be solid with just surface rust, which is a good thing. The only concerning part is the wiring hanging down from under the dash. The electrical systems on these trucks are pretty simple, but if there’s been backyard electrical work done, it may need re-wired.
There isn’t a lot of information regarding the mechanics of this truck. The ad does say it ran about ten years ago. These old straight-six engines aren’t too hard to get running as long as there are no major issues.
Overall, this seems to be a really solid project. The seller does point out a few areas of rust, but they don’t seem too bad. The ad doesn’t point out any other specifics and only speculates on the mechanics of the truck. It seems like maybe it was purchased as a flip and the seller never had intentions of restoring it. Hopefully, with a new owner, it will get a new lease on life and will be enjoyed for years to come. What do you think of COE’s?
On a truck like this, most bidders are valuing it based on body, and chassis at most. Likely will be totally rewired with new harness, so that hardly factors in. That’s reality.
Cannon Ball, Cannon Ball! That’s what I
thought of when I saw it. I’ve watched the series on YouTube several years ago
but I think their truck was a GMC. I was
very small, but my biological father drove
one in ’58 or therebouts. I recall sitting in
the front seat while Mom held my baby
sister. To a 4 year old boy, that truck was
absolutely mammoth! This old beast
commands all your attention when you
drive it. You’re definitely engaged in it’s
operation when you do so. Nice to see
one that’s not all beat to hell. Great find
and priced Right too! Geomechs will
absolutely love it!
Cannonball!!! Mid 50’s GMC 950 COE, Detroit powered, natch. That was a very popular show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umvbqPUMoKg
I tried to find the TV series’ I used to watch when I was a kid. The only one I was able to find in its entirety was Highway Patrol. I only got one episode of Cannon Ball. I also looked for Rescue 8 and only found clips. I was told that Whirlybirds was up but I’ve been too busy to look for it. Now if you believe that…
Rescue 8 Youtube has few episodes.
It was a 51 GMC Ken.
This would be a great truck to run a flatbed and haul an antique tractor back and forth to the threshing show. Please, not to sacrifice its cab to go on a 1-ton diesel chassis. Tar-N-Feathers for those who want to follow that route. Someone took a step backwards as far as the engine is concerned. It should have a Full-Pressure 235 and while that may be a 235 it would be the older version with the anemic oil pressure option. I would want the proper engine but I seriously doubt if I would run anything else but maybe a 261. Hope this goes to a good home.
Right on point as usual, Geomechs. Too many of these get cut up and another piece of automotive history circles the bowl. Trucks are built as cab & chassis–restore it as built and then put your body on it– you’ll have a great platform for a car hauler.
Another wonderful find. Just love vintage single axle dump trucks, as long as I don’t have to spend 9 hours a day in one. Poor geomechs, we can always count on him taking the “original” route, yet, I’d have to think in this day and age, he is constantly disappointed. We were just born a bit too late, my friend. Him, me and probably 5 others in the world would keep this original, but I say this time and again, it was okay in 1954, but safety wise, falls dangerously short for todays travel. For putt-putting around the homestead hauling a load of the wifes horses crap to the back fenceline, be great, but on the road, well, let’s just say, trucks have gotten safer for a reason.
I,m with you and Geomech,Howard. I have a old 56 Ford C-600 and like it alot.. Alot easier to work on and if a person keeps a check on everything their shouldn,t be any problem.Out of about 5 years,. The only problem I had out of mine was a carrier bearing,a wheel cylined and vaccuum booster. Got about 10 mpg loaded or empty.. Have some great memories in it and long hours. Still have it and plan on getting it running this summer.
On two lane roads its not. The main problem with today,s drivers is. They are always in a hurry. Alot of these new trucks are just as dangereous as these old trucks. I had a friend.Had a new tandem with a load of logs coming out one day. He went to shft gears and couldn,t. The truck got totaled and my friend almost got killed. Seems a VACCUM LINE CAME OFF. That won,t happen to any of the old trucks. This old truck with its manual brakes and double clutching is alright with me. I like it and would keep it like it is .Fix what needs to be fixed and drive it.
Today’s drivers, you’ve got it. I’ve seen a lot of personal luxury car jockeys take some big risks trying to get around a slower vehicle. And all so they can be right in front of you at the next stoplight. But I don’t give a turkey; whenever I take my old beast out for a run, I’m just out to enjoy some good times. Let the jack-donkeys risk life and limb to get to that meeting (which they should’ve given themselves more time to make it to). They can give me that single-digit wave and I’ll wave cheerfully back. I think that gets their goat worse than actually returning the gesture…
You got me laughing with “putt-putting around the homestead hauling a load of the wifes horses crap to the back fenceline” I’m living that life ever since marrying a horse woman in 2017. 12 acres of fenceline. Hauling manually with a wheelbarrow. And, I am of the belief that this truck should remain original. Looks like a grand old lady to me!
I’m REALLY happy to hear from you guys liking these old beasts! I have a few and was wondering what to do with them! I’m in California so they’re not rusty–just have to move a half dozen other dead things to get them out!
Hi Michael. Give contact info, and pics if possible.
God bless America
Nice COE.
I used to drive one of these that was a tow truck. It originally belonged to Anchor
Freight which was the company that moved Chevrolets built in Tarrytown, NY
About two months ago I called the body shop that had it to see it they still owned it and a Dodge Power Wagon. Both long gone.
Great truck.
I like these beasts, but have no use for one. Custom shops like to get hold of these rigs for car transporters, but when they’re finished they barely resemble the original truck. I wouldn’t change anything, just get it operational and perhaps use it as a grocery getter.
God bless America
I’ve seen something like a Peterbuilt with a 3-4′ pickup box,–a HEAVY DUTY pickup!
Small point, but this isn’t a COE. The engine is mounted back a bit but remains forward of the cab and accessed through a hood. A true COE has no nose and the entire cab lifts to get at the engine.
Technically you’re right, but Ford started referring to this as a COE. The term went through all the truck builders including Diamond T and International. GM was the first to veer away and offer this style as an LCF (Low Cab Forward). Of course, it was anything but a low cab but they didn’t ask me (lol).
What can anyone say Geomech–but laugh. hahhaha Your right and your an important person too.
Geomechs, you mentioned the up draft carb on this truck. First time I had seen one on the old Chevrolet motors. In reality why did they stop useing them? To me they are alot safer and you wouldn,t have to worry about a gas leak starting a fire–like you would on a hot exhaust pipe.
Updraft carburetors can be just as efficient as a downdraft or a straight-in, natural draft. Problem is they’re prone to icing. All that manifold the fuel-air mixture has to draw through and then get to that venturi and you’ve got a tendency to form ice, just like refrigeration. I’ve seen ice form on a moderately warm day. Just using the old gas-powered tractor and you look at the carburetor and it can be encrusted with frost.
I,m like you Truck Writer. I call it a snubnose. Under Ford they call it a COE. They do alot of things that has odd ways I guess to each their own,but I call mine a snubnose. I hope who every gets it. Keeps it original . Putting them on 1 ton with the small tires.Looks like they have broke springs .haha
COE doesn’t necessarily mean that the whole cab tilts. Early COE didn’t have a tilting cab. This type of cab is commonly referred to as a snub nose, semi forward control or pugnose. Very unusual also to have an updraft carby on a vehicle of this era.
Wayne, first time I heard Pugnose in along time. Been over 38 years I guess. Dad had a 41 Dodge and I guess he was the last person I heard say it and he passed in 92. Thanks for the memory . I guess the tilt cab was the real cab over. Weren,t they. ? In 78 Their was a junk yard in Baldwin,Ill. A guy had a White cab over in it. My brother wanted to buy it and have me drive it back to W.Va. In Tilden,Ill .It wasn,t too far away. A guy had his own collection of old cars–mustangs,comaros,ss,javelin,s. . Again,thanks Wayne
The old Dodge trucks ran an updraft too. The Binders and Fords had more clearance…
Wayne,
I’m thinking the updraft carb & manifold may have been factory installed, in order to keep the engine cover flat enough to allow legroom/footroom for 3 passengers.
It was entirely a space thing. Those old carburetors stood fairly tall…
This is confusing, and like geomechs sez, it depended on the truck maker. The 1st cabover, I believe, was Autocar. Wiki claims, they were called “engine under seat” trucks, but eventually became cabovers. The 50’s had cabovers from Kenworth ( bullnose) and Mack ( cherry picker) with almost flat fronts.The 1st real cabover with flat front, that I know of, was the Freightliner.
Howard, –White also had a flat front on them.
I have a 52 F6 (COE, snubnose, or LCF ). Still has flathead V8, 4 spd, 2 spd rear ( low and lower ). Changed to 12 volt, shortened the frame. Slow, poor brakes, but fun to go to the beer store in. Just in the second week of changing out the 68 yr old wiring to new and about 12 fused circuits.
NO plans to change to newer frame / drivetrain components.
Owned about 15years
Ford Fixer ,you might want to take the cover off of the 2 speed once in awhile and clean the points off. I don,t know if the 52 is made like my 75,but it might save you some trouble and money. Keep on trucker in the old reliable 52 Ford.
My pleasure Johnny. Cheers from Australia.
Your welcome mate. Anytime your in W.Va drop in and we,ll talk old cars and old trucks. I like,em .
Johnny, excuse my ignorance, is that Western Vancouver?
West Virginia,U.S.A.—
Johnny, thanks, I realised after I replied that Vancouver is in Canada, so it had to be West Virginia. You’ve probably realised Geography wasn’t my best subject at school.
Quite alright,but the invite still holds. Take care of Olivia Newton John and have a great day.
Thanks, Geomechs, I learn something new every day, probably because I forget everything I learnt yesterday. lol
Their was a old Chevy or GMC on a ridge top near Summersville, W.Va. I watched for it a couple of weeks ago,but didn,t get a good look as I was driving. Monday I,ll try again and if anyone is tinkering near their. I,ll stop and try to find out something about it. They are really nice looking old trucks and were well made .
Having covered Trucking as a journalist for 30 years one of the first things I learned was there are always multiple names for the same thing, usually regional. Ask four industry vets what they call a tractor operating without a trailer and you’ll get four different answers. To me this is a short-nose conventional, but all the other designations fit as well.
Yes, and when you work in the shop repairing trucks, you hear a lot of different names yet. LOL.
The cab in this truck looks really cool!! The shifter has bee named welded and there is a bracket that come so off the back of it that for the life of me can’t seem to come to a conclusion of what it could possibly be for!!! Anyone have any thoughts on that!!!
Emergency brake? I guess maybe the other two-to the right of the transmission. Was for the pto. I remeber looking at a old Cheverolet truck and asked a guy about the extra two gear shifts. He said they were auxilary and it had 16 forward gears. I had to laugh. I told him buy the time a person would go through all the gears,. He,d be ready for retirement. Anyone else seen one .like it? I know they made some really heavy duty truck back then.
12 to 17 speed transmissions are common today although new automated manual are quickly displacing them. And this are non- snychro
Sounds like it cold keep your drinks cold too. haha Thanks Geomech.
Geomach, I have one on and a better one. One day I was hauling a load of scrap and I had this long steel pipe hanging low with the red rag.To warn people. I was coming up this hill to the signal light and was trying to keep some distance to be able to pull away safely. When this sporty cra would keep coming up. Finaly it pissed me off and I decided it was time they learnt a lesson. As the light turned green. I let it drift back and took out their radiator and I kept on going as nothing happened. The people on the side street started laughing like crazy and started giving me the thumbs up. I gave them the thumb up and smiled. I have some good memories of that that.
Payback can be such a be-otch! LMAO!
Johnny, just saw your comment on the 2 spd on my 52 F 6 snubnose? The electrics did not come out til later. I had a 56 that was electric plus a few of later ones. This 52 had a vacuum shift, which would not stay in gear ( probably a weak or broken diaphragm) so I just converted an unused dump lever and some rod and made a mechanical shift. Works just fine, have it sprung lightly to high, and push, hold for low. Have a safe one.
Well I wasn,t for sure or if you knew or not. I thought I,d just pass it to you in case you din,t know and it tore up a rear-end –to save you the trouble and money. I like them old trucks. Can,nt you imagine putting one of the truckers in a old truck and seeing him try to change gears. ? No jake brake,manual brakes,no air conditioner,double clutchin? hahaha Watching the gauges going up hill and brakes going down hill with a good load.? Then they would know what spending all day in a truck is all about.. Climbing a hill on a hot and dust road with the windows down and the dust would get so thick inside the cab.You,d have to stop on a hill for the dust to settle.So you could see. hahaha Yeah, I remeber those days and when you got home. You earned your pay with no benifits.
Johnny. Funny you say that about the newbies. My after retirement job I do now is CDL examiner, so I can afford my Ford and Jeep toys. I’m afraid I wouldn’t want to be on the same road with many of them piloting ( or herding ) a 50’s model KW with 3 sticks !! I think they sometimes are blowing smoke when I talk about driving in the oil patch in the 60-70’s.
I remeber one time. My brother and I had dropped of a load of scrap and picked up a load of gravel on the way back home. He worked the evening at this factory.. Before I started down this hill. I checked my brakes—-it went to the floor. I never said anything. Didn,t want to shake my brother up. As we started downhe said don,t you think you better check your brakes. I told him yeah and hit the brake and it went back to the floor. His eyes got big and said we don,t have any brakes. I told him I know it and if he wanted to get to work on time. Just sit back and relax. I,d get him their or he could bail out anytime. Well he stayed with me and I made it. Had a hairy time in one curve though. haha. I went back up this other mountain and it levelefed off and I had another hill to go down.Just as bad. I pulled off this little gas stationand got a can of brake fluid. Poured it in the master cylinder and started the truck up. He asked me if I was gonna go down the hill. I told him hell yeah,I got brakes now.haha Made it home and he made it to work on time. Before he left for work .He said I was crazy said I was crazy. Maybe I was. They said the same thing about me in country.
Wow! You had all the makings of “Wolf Creek Pass” except for the fire falling off your cigar and going into your boot to burn a hole in your sock. CW McCall at his finest…
Thank you Geo. I remeber this one cold snowny night I was coming back and down this hill with my cousin. Good thing I was not driving to fast and on a dirt road with no traffic on it. I felt something go from one shoulder to another UNDER my coat. I stopped and got out.Yankked off my coat and a little mouse about 2 inches long jumped out. hahaha It almost scared the crap out of me. and I,m sure you all have simil;ar storys too. haha I even got WHIPPED buy a falling tree once.While I was standing on the truck running board .While my brother was driving it. HAHAHA
Johnny, that sounds exactly like a bus safety film I watched in grade school. The bus driver is trying to tame a bunch of rowdy kids in the back, coming out of their seats, etc etc. One kid has their pet mouse for show and tell and decides it would be fun to bring it to the front of the bus and swing it like a pendulum in front of the unsuspecting driver. Mayhem ensues.
yes,it was funny. I seen some unbelievealble acts from people too–some would call them X-RATED.HAHA I,m sure other had some good times as I did too. Met some really great people and some down right rude,but the good people always make me forget the bad ones. Have a good one and thanks