The Chevrolet AK-Series COE (Cab-Over-Engine) trucks were workhorses back when this hauler was built after World War II. If you Google photos of these things, you’ll find more examples of modified customs as opposed to original trucks as most of them were all used up after a few years. This ’46 Chevy restomod may have retained little other than its sheet metal, with an 8.1-liter Chevy V8 installed to get things going. The seller says it’s not 100% complete, so maybe a few finishing touches are needed. From North Bergen, New Jersey, the bidding here on eBay has reached $31,100 but the reserve is still looming.
It’s been a while since I last saw one of these mules. They served all sorts of purposes back in the day, including use as flatbeds, tankers, and even city buses. In form, today this truck is light years away from what it was like 77 years ago. Photos provided by the seller not only include what we believe is the final product (as of now), and some work-in-process pics have been added to the mix. The mechanical structure of the vehicle has changed a lot, with the engine moved to the bed behind the cab, a 510 cubic inch Chevy motor from 2004 that looks to have its share of mods. A rebuilt 4l60e automatic transmission takes care of the shifting now.
Though the paint looks original with patina, it’s actually been redone to look that way. The interior has received a makeover with custom two-tone bucket seats and it looks as though an under-dash air conditioner has been sandwiched into the dashboard. The truck sports new glass, new tires and wheels, and new brakes, and the suspension has been lowered (lifted from a 1984 Jaguar).
A litany of other parts and pieces are new to the equation, such as a conversion to a 12-volt electrical system, LED lights, airbags, and power steering. I suspect this truck can be driven as-is as the seller does not say what’s needed to make it “100% complete.” How much is a new old truck like this worth – and what would you do with it?
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