This shot is identified as a “new lightweight Stuart trailer”. Was it built especially to haul the new lightweight compacts like the Chevy II and Corvair? Or could it haul full-size cars too?
Vintage Car Carrier: New Lightweight Trailer Hauling New Lightweight 1962 Chevy II’s
– Posted on August 20, 2022
Wow, that does look lightweight, alright. I’d imagine you’d witness a lot of flex if following one with a full load
Looks like some of the decking is pretty short (especially the one above the cab.) Full sized autos might not fit. (??)
I always chuckle a little bit when I think of the first-generation Nova (not because I think there’s anything funny about them – they’re cool cars). A girl I dated in college lived in a rural area, and her brother liked early Novas. They had a few shells sitting out in the back 40 (so to speak…I think it was more than that), and I couldn’t believe how similar the front clip was to my Mustang. The reasoning is clear now that I know more about the whole situation, but if Chevy was going to copy a front suspension design, why would they ever copy the Falcon (which to some extent copied the Rambler if I’m not mistaken)? The shock tower, coil on the upper control arm setup is probably the worst thing about the car, especially in terms of space utilization and lack of camber gain.
It goes to show the rush Chevy must have been in when they realized the Falcon was probably the “compact answer.” They must have bought a Falcon, disassembled it, made blueprints, added a Chevy body, and moved on. Still, I’d love an early Nova wagon or an L79 ’66 or ’67 model.
For Aaron65
I saw a lot of car haulers back in the day and “flexy flyer” was the best description of these contraptions. When you were following on thru a sharp curve it seemed like the top would shift about a foot to the side.
Wonder what gas job is burning its brains out to hustle this load down the road?
The truck is also equipped with true saddle tanks.
My guess would be a 348 ot 409.
Exhaust stacks indicate diesel power. 1962 D60 had a 4-53 two stroke. 327 was the largest gasoline engine offered in the 50-60 series.
My dad kept a Chevy II Nova as his second car into the early 1970s. It was identical to the metallic blue four door, on the lowest deck. As a very young kid, the last car I recall seeing large floor board holes, due to significant body rot due to road salt induced rust.
That lowest car (the metallic blue one) could have been mine, some 12 years before I owned it.
By 1974 it was sporting a rebuilt 194, bald tires, rust behind the rear wheels, and various splotches of primer.
Any of them L-79s?
Cars compared to other general freight dont weigh much no need for a massive trailer frame
Wow, great picture .
OI know early Chevy II’s were incredibly cheap and nasty but I love ’em .
The tractor looks like maybe a C50 ? .
Tiny little wimpy trailer, I hope not used over the road .
-Nate
This rig is hauling 6 cars. One is fully supported over the tractor. That leaves 5 on the trailer. A Chevy 2 weighs about 2500 pounds, which calculates to a trailer load of about 12,500 pounds, and 15,000 pounds of freight in total. That is not a heavy load by any stretch of the imagination. If in doubt look at the single axle on the tractor and single axle on the trailer.