1939 Dodge TC 1/2 Ton

Description

With Ford and Chevy pickups commonplace these days, it's easy to stand out simply by shopping at the Mopar store. This 1939 Dodge TC ½-ton pickup is every bit as stylish as its competition, and it was designed to be driven, not shown, and as a result it's fully sorted and ready to enjoy.

Contrasting fenders were a big part of pre-war styling, so this Dodge pickup puts a twist on the theme by painting the body in handsome maroon paint with traditional black fenders which accentuates its fat-fendered look. Fit and finish are decent, about what you'd expect from a vintage pickup that was built to work for a living, and the bug-eyed headlight look makes it instantly recognizable. Streamlining was a big deal in those days, do you'll dig the little speed marks on the fenders, the raked windshield, and the smooth nose which is a wonderful combination of color and chrome; be sure to note the chrome Ram hood ornament! The bumpers are chrome and the running boards have been painted black so they blend into the background and let the bodywork do the talking. And as a vintage pickup, of course it has a beautifully finished oak bed that's a show piece all by itself, complete with custom stake rails with engraved artwork by the cab. And yes, those stacks are fully operational.

The interior offers great accommodations for two on a black vinyl bench seat that seems right at home in the vintage truck's cab. The pleated upholstery recalls an earlier era, and with handsome custom wood door panels, it feels warm and inviting inside. Extensive use of sound-deadening materials means that this pickup doesn't rattle or clang down the road, anything that wasn't upholstered was covered in spray-on bedliner material for durability and ease of maintenance. The gauges are original, but since it was converted to a 12-volt electrical system, there's an auxiliary gauge under the dash to monitor temperature. There's also a cool 3-speed shifter, heavy-duty rubber mat, and a giant wheel that makes handling the vintage pickup painless and easy, even in town.

If it's hauling you're interested in, then this truck truly delivers thanks to a bulletproof Dodge 201 cubic inch inline-6. A mainstay of Mopar heavy-duty haulers, it's smooth and torquey, and if you can break it, you'll probably be the first. It features new wiring, an upgraded oil filter and a lot of new hardware, including the starter, brake system, battery, belts, fuel pump, and fresh shocks underneath. It was unquestionably designed to be driven, not treated as static art, and as a result, you can drive it anywhere, anytime. The 3-speed transmission shifts well if you take your time and for the period, Dodge's brakes were as good as anyone's, so it feels confident going down the road. The single exhaust splits into two to make the stacks in the bed functional, giving the six a great sound that's a lot of fun to lean on in traffic. The suspension is stock with rigid axles and leaf springs at both ends, so don't be afraid to use this truck as a real truck, and it's life in a salt-free climate is evident everywhere you look. Stylish black steel wheels look cool and wear 225/75/15 Goodyear Wrangler radials for a proper trucky look.

If you're an early Mopar fan or just want a pickup that isn't just like everyone else's, it would be hard to go wrong with this wonderful Dodge. It's a fantastic driver that's ready to cruise. Call today!