This 1926 Chevrolet 'pickup truck' was originally built at the factory as a Chevrolet Superior 4 door sedan, and converted to a truck in or around the depression era, as evidenced by the very early vintage wood , construction, hardware, nuts & bolts as well as a few mismatched panels and previous ownership accounts. Converting a sedan to a truck was common practice in the depression era, this truck certainly presents as one of these vehicles.
More on Depression Era conversions below this truck's description.
DESCRIPTION: This 1926 truck/car would have been originally equipped with a Chevrolet 171 cubic inch 4 cylinder rated @26 hp, the truck now has a 1928 engine with 30% more hp due to a revised carburetor, higher compression, aluminum pistons, and larger valves for a rating of 35 HP @ 2,200 rpm and is known to be the best early 4 cyl Chevrolet produced.. This truck, for the most part, is original other than the converted parts, and is a true survivor, as it does not show evidence of ever being classically restored. Wood in the cab is in good original condition, several pieces appear to have been replaced at some time with newer wood. The truck runs, drives and stops very well considering it's 98 years of age. It has new brake drums and shoes, and all linkages have been adjusted. This truck has been driven very frequently around towns, car shows & parades etc. It has a top speed of about 45 mph. Motor starts reliably and instantly. The 6 volt charging system is works great. The radiator has been reconditioned and the truck runs reasonably cool on the hills or hot days. Headlights (high and low beams), cowl park lights, taillights and added brake lights are all in working order. The transmission is standard H pattern 3 speed, and an operational handbrake with new shoes as well. Speedometer is untested, it has a cable, but it's not hooked up currently. Although the truck has a factory non-pressurized oil pump/system, is does have working oil and amperage gauges. All the glass is in good condition, but it's missing the passenger side window (standard flat glass). It currently has a modern K&N style air filter, as it was at times, driven in dusty environments in Southern Utah. The truck has 4 new Lester 4.45 - 21 Tires and tubes. The wood bed is in good condition considering age. The wood bedsides have a few cracks but, like much of the vehicle, have not been replaced for sympathy of the vintage patina and construction that make this truck unique.
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During the Great Depression or Dust-bowl era, many sedans from the 1920s and 1930s were converted into pickup trucks out of necessity. These makeshift vehicles, often called "jalopies" (Beverly Hillbillies truck for example) were a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of people during tough economic times. During the The Great Depression, gasoline was rationed and trucks were permitted two gas rations while cars got only one.
People needed vehicles that could haul goods, tools, and materials, especially in rural areas. Converting a sedan into a pickup allowed for more cargo space.
The conversions were typically done at home or by local mechanics. The back seats and rear portions of the sedans were removed, and a wooden or metal bed was installed in their place.
Materials for the beds were often scavenged or repurposed. Wood from old crates, barns, or other structures was commonly used. Metal parts were sometimes salvaged from other vehicles or machinery.
These converted vehicles often looked rough and mismatched, reflecting the scarcity of resources. The modifications were functional rather than aesthetic.