(first posted 7/1/2011) Here in Havana, Oregon, in addition to the Official CC Car Sales Lot we also have the Official CC Truck Sales Lot for every trucking need. Facing Hwy 99 just a mile or so past the car lot is this multi-hued patina-rich array of vintage trucks for sale. They’re ready for work, mostly; although a few might need a key component or two before they’re back earning their daily keep. But each one has a very colorful story to tell, too much so to compress into one very long post, so we’ll take them in a daily dose: Truckstop Classics. And we’ll start today with the first one, that venerable white 1941 Ford COE.
The COE (cab over engine) style truck was developed to be short in the front in order to maximize payload space. Admittedly, this old Ford carries that theme to an extreme: it’s missing just about everything from the cab back. But that’s where your imagination comes in. Mine is already in high gear: put a four-wheel drive axle in the front, and direct the (modest) power from the flathead V8 to that, and graft on a vintage airstream trailer to the back.
Looks like it used to have a stake bed back there. That may have been in its second, or third incarnation. COE trucks were particularly favored buy semi-truck users, as it allowed them to run longer trailers in the very restrictive over-all length limits of the times, especially on the East Coast.
This shows a typical “big rig” of the times, which is puny compared to the monsters crowding the right lanes.
The back might be missing, but the important stuff is still there in front. The interior lacks a few amenities, but a yard chair with the legs shortened would do the job. The flathead V8 is bound to make its presence known as you roll down the road, but that just adds to the overall appeal of feeling connected to your rig’s inner workings, and one can make engine adjustments on the go; beats texting, if you’re going to be distracted while driving.
I know; this Ford is going to take a bit more than average to get back on the road, but there’s trucks here on the lot that will suffice for the imagination-challenged. Next time…
Is that a new lot? I don’t remember anything like that on 99.
And gotta love that interior!
Anderson Bros. It’s been there for ages next to Jerry’s; they have a big truck salvage yard in back. I’d seen some of these before in back, but they just put them all out front.
I reckon they knew you were about and wanted to improve the scenery
where at in or and how much
That looks like an interesting collection of projects, although the Studebaker Champ 2 spots over piques my interest more than a COE glider kit. I do like the idea of turning it into a vintage RV but it may be better to use a Toronado drivetrain instead of the flathead and something more ornamental for a trailer donor, perhaps a Spartan.
I am so glad that lot is on the opposite coast from me. If it was anywhere near here I’d be stopping by every few weeks, and sooner or later would end up going home with something. it would probably have dual rear wheels and a flatbed and be even more impossible to park than usual.
Im not sure Id want to pull a 45tonne Btrain behind a flathead Ford tractor even the single/single pictured would be bloody hard work on Kiwi roads, Rail was a big player in the freight game here when this was new and its easy to see why sheer lack of power and NO brakes we have really steep hills but as a camper conversion it would work ok and we have some awesome housetrucks here built on vintage trucks lots of potential for that in this yard the blue Chev or the lime Dodge look like good victims. You have some great old gear there in Havana Oregon any AL110 inters floating about had 1 of those very tough old truck?
That is fantastic!
There is a similar collection in Cawker City, KS. The whole town is littered with old trucks and tractors for sale. A small sample of photos – http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveseven/sets/72157625501338619/
great flickr set!
You win 100 internets for that collection!
I like the way you think but may I make a suggestion?
Instead of the 4WD front axle. Maybe the UPP ala GMC Motorhome? An Eldo UPP should do well with 8.2 liters of torque monster lounging around up there. 🙂
(ETA I’ll stand second in line for the Stude!)
Yeah, I’m there for the Champ, too. Maybe our talent pool can do a Dockside Classic on that Studebaker trucklet?
Over in Kansas, on, if I remember right, US 69, I came across a Champ parked in front of a garage with no home. Home had been clammed; the Champ and a Ford were parked in front of the double-door garage. Hadn’t been registered in ten years…it was probably driveable but had rust issues…holes in the floor of the cab; horn button assembly missing…a grey-area derelict. Might maybe have been salvageable with a generous supply of donor parts.
I was tempted; but no can do.
I have to admit to a certain fascination about the Champ. The audacity…not unlike the Gremlin…the near-broke company (AMC or Studebaker) needed a truck, or small car, and just broke out the Sawzall. In Studebaker’s case, they wound up using Dodge pickup beds…can you imagine being so strapped for cash, that the company couldn’t tool up a PICKUP BED?
It really is a neat package, though. I think it would have sold like hotcakes if the rumors weren’t going around about Studebaker’s imminent demise. It’s compact, yet of a size to match the other trucks of the time…a compact-car cab on the old truck frame…BRILLIANT!
(Sorry to ramble off-topic…I’m wont to do that…)
If you play the “what if” game like I do StudePackard would have joined AMC. If all the “independants” joined forces we may still have Packards, Studes and Ramblers today.. They’d still be buying most major components from the big 2.25 but a little is better than none.
The V8 Ramblers were almost another car line as opposed to the 6’s up to ’67. The running gear on the V8s was totally different nothing interchanged even the brakes. The V8’s had Delco Remy distributor, the entire brake system was D-R in comparison to the 6’s Wagner system, even some of the V8 blocks were cast at GM foundries. Nothing interchanged including the wiring harness. I loved my ’63 Rambler V8 and when I totaled it all the cars with blown engines or transmissions to buy cheap were 6’s and I figured it would taken me a year of time and more money than I had to transplant the running gear. I don’t really think a marriage of S-P and AMC would have helped after1955. Maybe in the ’50-53 era before the low price war bloodletting started and the Packard & Hudson names had became severely tarnished. If anything it probably would have caused the demise of AMC a lot sooner than it happened.
just wondered what the price tag on the coe was?
Any for sale? I’m looking for a Ford COE 34-no later than 56?
I have a 1941 ford fire truck
George
George what kind of price do you have on the fire truck. Where are you located. I am in So. La. Very interested. Thanks.
Found an old post where you were looking for an old cab over Ford. Have a 42, if interested, let me know.
Ted 503-551-8189
Sorry about being so late getting back to you. What would you have to have for it. What condition. Where at? Thanks.
Hi Ted By chance do you still have a 1940’s Ford COE for sale?
What do you want for the ’41 fire truck. I am in south La. and would be very interested in it. Thanks.
Make me an offer. Thinking worth $10-15,000 as is.
I’m looking for a Ford COE, Preferably Mid to late 40’s but open to other years, that’s for sale in decent condition. Can anyone help me locate one?
Thank you in advance
looking for a 1939-1945 ford coe cab
i know where a complete running all original 1939 Ford Coe truck is sitting at. Don’t know what it is worth. Any help
Hi!! I got 1940 ford dump truck COE 100% bone stock for sale if interested you can reach me at 775 404 2173 or text,thanks
I’m not in the market, however, I love the HUGE photo! Some might say these are ugly? I, however, find them very interesting & cool looking! I’d be proud to drive one of those COE’s around town.
Re:”…and one can make engine adjustments on the go…”
I was thinking the same thing before I read that!
If the throttle linkage ever broke, you could throttle the carb. with your right hand. lol 😎
Tried that in a CA Bedford van with broken throttle linkage not entirely successful although it got me home.
Paul: there is a similar place in your former hunting grounds. Doug’s 4Wheelers Inc,4 miles east of Pella, Iowa.
Scroll down a bit . There is a slide show on the right side. https://www.dougs4-wheelers.com/about.html
I can’t wait for the Diamond T tomorrow. There is some really neat stuff languishing at the other end of the line.
Whew ! lots and lots of nice vintage tin to look at .
.
-Nate
also looking for a ford coe late 30s early 40s only need cab would entertain other makes