General – Hi there, here is one that I bought for restoration and then priorities shifted, so I want to pass it along to someone who will enjoy it.It is a 1953 Dodge five window pilot house, one of the most sought after of the 1940s – 1950s.The best part about this one is it is a B3D so it can do some work for you. The little 1/2 tons are nice but they are mostly for show.This one would make a great shop truck, tow vehicle, construction truck, toy hauler, or use for farm or ranch work.Advertise your business, club, race team, cause or whatever. It is a true survivor and needs little to be a daily driver. The truck has a clear Montana title, the truck still has its original VIN plate and the numbers match.It runs and drives and is located in southwest Montana where it may have lived its entire life.
Body and exterior - The truck has an amazingly solid cab inside and out.The only rust I have found is a little on the drivers running board.Obviously, this old truck saw very little rough farm, ranch or construction use; for its 64 years, it has almost no dents or dings or welds or that sort of thing.It must have been driven by the bookkeeper.It is a five window and except for one wing window the glass is crack free.There are two very and nice serviceable back in the day Grote brand “west coast mirrors”, (see pictures).It looks to have either a factory or dealer installed platform bed, which is very serviceable and has a great headache rack and window screen, (see pictures).Some previous owner even placed Pergo or some other laminate over the bed floor.Both the front and rear bumpers are in serviceable, undamaged condition.
Both hoods and doors open and close properly, and the hinges are not broken.The running boards which are usually beat up or completely gone on these old trucks, are in surprisingly good condition, only the one rust spot on the drivers side.The wheels are stock 16 inch, the tires are Coopers and still have life left.The truck is a dually, but I have only the inside wheels and tires.
Mechanical -The engine (I believe) is the original or at least correct for the era.The engine starts right up with no unusual; noises or smoke, and has 40 pounds of oil pressure.The manual choke still works.The brakes are down indicting a loss of fluid somewhere.Notwithstanding the brake issue I have driven the truck around its storage compound enough to know it goes through all gears just fine.The clutch and differential seemin good shape.The fuel pump and carburetor function properly.There are no signs of oil, gas or water leakage.Beyond this description, I don’t know much as I have not driven the truck for any distance.
Whoever buys this truck, I would ask that you check the brake entire system very carefully and adjust or replace as necessary, or have your mechanic do that, as these old trucks had only a single chamber brake master cylinder and on their best day any leaking hose, or wheel or master cylinder anywhere and you were completely out of brakes.
The truck has been converted to 12 volts and whoever did this work seemed to know what they were doing.The truck came to me with a bad battery but I will pass it along with a good battery installed.
Interior – Amazingly complete, (see pictures)!The seat is intact; it has blanket covers on it, probably indicting worn or deteriorated original covers.The heater is present as well as the controls, (see pictures) and the blower motor works.Some of the original knobs have been replaced over the years with toggle and other switches, but the lights work, turn signals work and even the windshield wipers work.As a testament to the engineering back in the day, the turn signals work off a three-way toggle switch.It has no Radio and the good part of that is, no one has cut the dash or doors to install sound a system and speakers
Summary – This old truck is an excellent example of originality and is very complete to include its garnish, trim, interior, gages etc. For someone with a little mechanical ability this truck can be an everyday driver for work or play or both.It has a lot of potential to carry your business logo, tow your toys or whatever and be a lot of fun. It deserves another chance and to be put back on the road and maybe even show up at your local survivor car show or parade.
Payment, Disclaimers, Storage, and Transportation -I require a non refundable deposit of $500.00 within 48 hours and the remainder prior to me sending you the title.I prefer bank to bank transfer or cash in person.Please only the initial $500 by PayPal, because of their surcharge, unless you are willing to pay that fee.Well I have tried to represent the old truck as honestly and accurately as I can. Please read my narrative; please look closely at the pictures.Make no mistake, with the brake issue it is not currently a roadworthy vehicle, but with very little work and minimal investment it could be roadworthy in short time. The truck is sold as is, where is, and with no guarantee or warrantee implied or specified. I am very proud of my 100% rating and will answer questions.I will post some of them so that others may benefit.If you have less than 10 bid history please contact me so I can be sure of your sincerity or I will cancel your bid.I do have a tow truck and trailer and could deliver or do a partial delivery for $1.25 per loaded mile within a reasonable distance.Please, Miami, New York and Belize are not reasonable driving distances of Clancy, Montana.
Good luck with your bidding and thank you for your time spent in reading my listing.