This shot that was posted by Ralf K (Don Kincl) at the Cohort grabbed me, for more reasons than one. Let’s start with the truck. Don rightly notes that it’s a Mack. This is a rather unusual one for the brand, as it’s called a COE (Cab Over Engine), strictly speaking it’s more like a HCOE (Half Cab Over Engine), a term I just invented. These suddenly became quite popular in the later 30s, and it’s quite similar to this ’41 Chevy I wrote up a while back, as well as others.
Actually, it’s now a CAOE (Cab Ahead Of Engine), as this one has had its original six cylinder gas engine, which was in front and protruded about half way into the cab, with something a bit more powerful, and located in back of the cab. What engine might that be? The ubiquitous SBC?
I’m thinking not, given the plug wires come from the front. But I’m not really on expert, and I’ll let you all weigh on on that. Can you ID the automatic behind it too? Probably.
We haven’t gotten to the load on its back, which of course is a VW 1600 fastback Type III. Full story here. This is the later version, with its longer nose and bigger taillights. And it has a low rear tire.
Quite the combo.
Almost certainly small block Ford. The exhaust is another clue.
I love those post war COEs. My dad used to talk about an action/adventure TV show that aired in the late 1950s on CBC in Canada called ‘Cannonball’. Featuring a GMC Model ‘Cannonball’. Original Star Trek series fans will recognize the young actor William Campbell. Thanks to YouTube, I’ve watched several episodes. What I especially enjoy are the authentic sound effects. With lots of road shots of the GMC.
This neat short clip from 1958, also features the then brand new Ford C Series. The quad headlight ’58 model. Funny seeing them light the road flare behind the disabled truck.I think it was the law.
Here’s the clip of the ’58 C Series…
https://youtu.be/npLxXq2yvjM?list=PLd4xjC0SNoyy4Fa54p-uyTq5cspeo1SlC&t=1
Thanks for the Cannonball show! I remember watching it on reruns back in the day. From this episode – what’s all the excitement over a little radioactive bullet! LOL
I can’t be bothered to look it up, but I feel like US law (maybe Minnesota but I think it’s a federal law) currently states you must put reflective triangles “or flares” a certain distance behind a truck stopped on the highway.
I enjoy watching old episodes of Peter Gunn and I Led Three Lives thanks to Youtube. Great for car spotting!
Paul, I can barely see the gearbox behind the engine. How do you tell it’s an automatic?
“How do you tell it’s an automatic?”
Rafael-
In a posting below, Scoutdude mentions several unique automatic transmission elements present in the picture, but spotting a drain pan is the quickest way to identify an RWD automatic.
In the attached image, the automatic transmission is on the left. You can see a flanged mating surface on the bottom of the transmission with a sheet metal pan attached. This design provides a fluid sump for the AT pump, and encloses the valve body, which is shown in the insert image.
The manual transmission (on the right), uses a one piece casting for the main case, with no provision for a sump or valve body. I imagine Paul used this common difference to identify this transmission as an automatic.
Even before I saw the closeup of the transmission I figured it had to be an automatic. Cable shift linkage is easy. Manual shift and clutch linkage for the new engine location would be a much more difficult installation.
The transmission is definitely a TH 400 based on the location of the vacuum modulator, dip stick and servo cover. The engine with evenly spaced exhaust ports and a distributor in the front makes it a Cadillac.
I agree with you, definitely a TH400. I agree that it’s probably a Caddy V8 too, based on the front distributor, the exhaust port layout and the spark plug location. It looks like the distributor is leaning to the left like a Caddy V8 too. The valve covers are obviously aftermarket and don’t look like OEM style covers though.
I imagine the mind that created this would settle for no less than the 500 cube variety. 400 hp and 550 lb/ft of torque from the factory.
Thanks for the explanation!