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.
Sounds right, Howard. Also, although this 1942 truck did indeed emerge from the factory during the war years, contrary to what the write-up implies, it’s hardly unique. Chevrolet built the identical truck from 1941 to 1946. Same is true for GMC: identical truck from ’41 to ’46.
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
I’m not sure why anyone thinks this has been in storage since WW II, there is no mention of the time frame in the ad, only from the writeup. By looks of it, this was used extensively then parked. This looks to be a good project, but at what price?
Steve R
I bet you’ll never get that old car smell out. The Packard featured earlier was more interesting than this. You would never use it for what it was intended for so it’s just to gawk at, it can’t be any fun to drive.
I agree with it not being fun to drive. Chassis swaps are popular for that very reason.
It didn’t say WHICH war years either. It could have been Viet Nam! :D
Lately I’ve been watching short videos of people extricating old iron like this and after performing some magic to produce spark and add fuel; many of them fire up. The advantage of having a motor that turns helps obviously. Most of these vehicles are in far rougher shape than this one. I’m sure that there are folks will get this old truck back on the road. Real piece of automotive history here.
I’d like to see what those young fellas at WD detailing could do with this truck. They”be done some really nice work on other cars and trucks they’ve pulled from barns and sheds and I gotta tell Ya’ they do some really fine work cleaning them up and making them shine again. And sometimes, they get them to run too. And if the original 6 is stuck,
no worries here, just drop in a 235 or 292 along with a 4-speed
tranny and call it a day. And then you could fix it up as time and cash allow. And yes, you could still get a new truck provided that
the business you ran benefitted the war effort. Hey Geo, how bout that story about your uncle a Woody and the Chrysler. Lord knows I’ve told enough stories up here to fill a book! Now it’s your turn.
Hey Ken it’s been awhile. Easy to just drop in a 235. A 292 not so much. (292 has the V8 Bellhousing bolt pattern.) And I believe that this truck has an enclosed drives haft. So just dropping in a 4 speed would also include a rear differential. Geomechs please correct if I’m wrong.
Wayne, you are absolutely right. The 235 will bolt right up. Trouble is the 216 is shorter from front to rear. Unless you can find a short-statured water pump, which is rare, you will need to use an electric fan.
About 15 years ago I helped a friend restore a Canadian-built ‘38 GMC 3/4 ton which essentially was more of a Chevy with GMC badging. It had a 216 which had frozen and busted My friend opted for a 235 that he had on the farm. All went well until we attempted to install the rad and the fan wouldn’t clear. Lots of room in front for an electric unit. That wouldn’t have been my choice but it wasn’t my truck.
A little harder to find, but a 228 248 270 or (super hard to find) 302 GMC is nearly a bolt in. They’re about an inch longer so you may have to move the radiator but same bellhousing pattern. Much better oiling and lots of torque.
Those GMC engines were some of the best six-bangers made by anyone. Somewhat slow turning but they could take a lot of abuse. There used to be a lot of 302 engines available at Army surplus. A friend of mine picked one up in Kalispell a few years back and dropped it into his ‘58 GMC pickup. Sectioned the exhaust manifold and converted it to a Quadrajet. Sure woke it up…
Those GMC engines have tons of low-end torque. This I know because I have a ’46 GMC 3/4 ton pickup, 228 CID with the 4-speed transmission. In low-low gear, I swear the thing could pull Gibraltar from its peninsular.
I saw a mixture of Chevy and GMC throughout my life. Those old GMC engines, with full pressure lube were amazing, yet we had a lot of them come in our shop with something wanting out and willing to make its own door.
The Chevy early 235 and 216 Babbitt-Pounders took an unbelievable amount of abuse with only 12 psi lube pressure. And yes, we sent a lot of crankshafts out to be ground, plus a lot of rods to be babbitted.
Long story short, you had a limited amount of horses available and you needed every last one of them…
Hi Wayne! Yeah, it’s been awhile
since I’ve posted anything up here. Been busy working at my store 🏪 over the Holidays. Have you heard from Angel 😇 lately?
Hope she’s okay. All these Cadillacs, and now another Checker and still no Angel? This
worries me. Last time I talked to
her, she was working through some problems. Hopefully, she’s
got it all sorted out and returns to us soon. As for the truck, I’d keep
the 216 IF you could convert it to
a full pressure oiling system. Or
maybe you could find a period
correct 235 (’41-46). How bout it
Geo, would it work. I understand
that you could get a 235 as an option on the AK models starting
in ’41. Still a really cool truck.
Happy New Year to the BF Universe!
Like Ken said, I’ve also been watching videos where some young men clean up old vehicles that have been sitting for ages and have collected copious amounts of dirt, vegetation and animal stuff. It’s sometimes literally everywhere. It’s fun to watch the transformation. Another very entertaining part of some of these rescue videos is when the engine is locked up. It’s interesting to see what each fellow pours down the spark plug holes to attempt to free the engine up. ATF, diesel, Marvel Mystery Oil, PB Blaster; you name it. Many times it works. It’s always fun after all the tinkering when they “bring the thunder” like Derek Bieri says. Even neater is when they get to drive the vehicle out of its old resting place. I will keep on watching these videos because for me at least each one is a chance to see another relic retuned to life. And of course I’m looking forward to seeing lots more interesting stuff here on BF and reading all the great comments.