The 1942 Chevrolet pickup offered here is the kind of truck that immediately pulls you into a different era. Built during a pivotal moment in American history, this half-ton Chevy represents the final stretch of civilian truck production before World War II redirected manufacturing toward the war effort. Survivors from this period are increasingly hard to find, especially ones that remain largely intact and unmodified like this example located in Salinas, California. You can see it for sale here on craigslist; thanks for the tip, Jack M.!
According to the seller, this 1942 Chevy pickup is equipped with its original inline-six engine and a three-speed manual transmission. The truck does not currently run, and the odometer is noted as broken, so mileage is unknown. Still, its originality is a major part of the appeal. Many trucks from this era were heavily modified, repowered, or worked to the point of no return. This one appears to have escaped that fate.
The body and interior are both described as being in good condition, which is a strong starting point for a truck that’s now more than 80 years old. It has been kept in a shed and covered with tarps, which likely played a role in its overall preservation. The tires are said to be in good condition as well, and the truck comes with a clean title, removing one of the biggest hurdles often associated with vintage projects.
While it doesn’t currently run, that doesn’t necessarily make this Chevy a deal-breaker. For many enthusiasts, a non-running but complete truck is preferable to something that’s been partially restored or altered over the years. The original drivetrain, manual transmission, and classic pre-war styling make this a solid candidate for a sympathetic restoration, a period-correct refresh, or even a careful mechanical revival that keeps its character intact.
The 1942 model year carries extra historical weight, as production of civilian vehicles was cut short once the U.S. entered World War II. Trucks like this one helped establish Chevrolet’s reputation for durable, work-ready pickups, and they’ve become increasingly collectible as fewer remain in restorable condition.
Priced at $14,000, this Chevy isn’t positioned as a bargain-basement project, but rather as a preserved foundation for someone who values originality and history. Whether returned to the road as a stock-era pickup or simply preserved as a static piece of American automotive history, this 1942 Chevy offers a rare opportunity to steward a truck from a very different time.
Would you keep it original and bring it back to life, or take a more personalized approach with a pre-war pickup like this?
Whether the owner of this truck did or did not come back, it still got plenty of use. I think it was car production that was halted, I believe you could still get trucks, but had to be a business, or some stipulation. It’s a great find, and if I had place to tinker, I’d be all over this. Not sure about stored since the war, this truck was used well into the 60s, I bet. Great find, simply can’t be many left like this.
I think you’re right again Howard, although it would be more than tinkering, I don’t know how many of you have tried to remove masking tape from metal that’s been on there even a few years, not a simple task.
Looking at the pictures on the craiglist is the rear bed off a A.D. Chevy?
Hey Rich, I think the AD beds were a carryover from the AKs, the lines for the running boards and skirting are too perfect.
How deep is the snow?
Jim,the beds probably were the same but the fenders and tailgate are different, fenders were a different shape and no bulge at the running board, tailgates no lettering. Check it out. 6 inches, 2 inches, 1-3 tonite wind and cold is the problem.
I agree, looks like an early AD bed. 41- 46 rear fenders were more teardrop shaped, these are fuller behind the wheels. The filler panel between the running boards and the bed are too round for this truck. Good eye!
You just don’t see a lot of AK series Chevys with the limited production of the war years. This is a real nice example! Somebody has kept it up over the years with an after market air filter, NAPA coil and Chevy orange valve cover. There’s a lot here to work with, but I don’t know about 14k?
Cool old truck. I believe that the seat is out of a mid to late ’50s truck. It would be hard not to retro-mod this truck because I would want to drive it every day. Nice to keep it original but then not practical for everyday usage.
You can remove most masking tape that has set to long with the help of a hairdryer. Use a non marring plastic tool and patience.
Very nice truck. It should come to my place and I’ll give it a good home. For me, a driver-quality restoration, including the babbitt-pounder, would be in order.
My uncle was a Plymouth/Chrysler/Dodge truck dealer from ’39 to ’59. From Feb/’42, cars were OUT. A commercial operator could apply for a permit to buy a truck but he’d better not be in a hurry; they were slow coming. It seems to me that Uncle Woody sold 23 new trucks from ’42 to ’45.
He talked about some independently wealthy and impatient farmers and ranchers that Demanded to be put at the top of the list, and they would even pay over retail price to get what they wanted. Luckily, Uncle Woody wouldn’t have any part of that.
Woody didn’t get any new cars until the spring of ’46. He got a nice Chrysler Windsor sedan then. I could tell you all an interesting story about that one car but it would stray a little too far off this topic of discussion…
that tape looks like it’s been on there since the war. cool truck. lots of potential