1937 Chevrolet Pickup

Description

In the 1930s pickup trucks were often simply passenger cars with a bed, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Offering the same smooth inline-six powerplant that drove all Chevy vehicles in 1937, this handsome ½ ton black pickup has an honest look that's both stylish and utilitarian, not to mention reliable.

Basic black looks great on the working-class hauler and while beauty wasn't Chevy's top priority in the truck field, nobody can say this is an unattractive machine. Classic curves, an instantly recognizable grille, and an upright look that instantly takes us back to the old days are all included. By 1937, Chevy designers had knocked the sharp edges off their pickup trucks, so the rounded fenders and handsome cab work well together and even with the square bed out back. Functionally, the truck offers a nicely finished bed with an oak floor with just the right amount of patina, and while the black paint shines up nicely, it, too, has signs of a life well-lived in the field. If you want a perfect truck, this isn't it, but if you seek one with character and a willingness to still get its hands dirty, this is an awesome choice. Even the chrome still looks good and against that black paint it's a great contrast.

The brown leatherette interior shows well, again with a bit of wear and use evident, but none of that takes away from the look. The wide bench is good for three-across seating and the commanding driving position makes it easy to maneuver through traffic. The seats, door panels, and fiber-board headliner all look quite correct for the period and the durable rubber floor mat means it can still work in the field without worries (not that you're going to put this one to work, right?). Sensible gauges cover the basics and it offers a no-frills atmosphere with a crank-open windshield for ventilation, a 3-speed manual transmission, and precious little else. The big steering wheel makes even low-speed maneuvers relatively easy and all the controls are laid out just about where you'd expect, so getting in and driving is easy, not intimidating. And the view over that long pointed hood just can't be beat.

Chevy's all-new six cylinder engine displaced 216 cubic inches in 1937 and represented a design that would last nearly three decades. 85 horsepower doesn't seem like a lot today, but it gives the lightweight little truck a peppy feeling and for a truck engine, it's shockingly smooth. Proper gearing means that it scoots through traffic without becoming a rolling road block and the smooth torque really makes around-town driving effortless. It's correctly dressed in gray engine enamel and still uses an original 1-barrel carburetor and oil bath air cleaner, as well as factory manifolds. It starts easily and still runs its original 6-volt electrical system with generator and you'll find that more power isn't what this truck needs just because it's so simple overall. The chassis was clearly restored at some point and offers a rugged ladder frame, solid axles and leaf springs at both ends, and 6.00-16 Firestone blackwalls on painted steel wheels for a perfect blue-collar look.

Not a show truck but not a beater, this neat pickup is ideal for casual shows and if you need to run to the garden center on a Saturday afternoon, what better way to do it than this? Call today!