Interesting Truck

I've been eyeing this truck for the longest. It's sitting at a salvage yard in Cookeville, TN, perhaps that's were it needs to stay. I see it every time I go to Cookeville to get parts. For some reason I like this truck. I think the reason is it has the ugliest hood design I think Chevy ever made. I'd love to restore this thing good enough to haul tractors to tractor shows. It's different, I believe it would be an eye catcher. I had to check it out the other day. Unbelievably, they're asking $2,000. The guy won't budge, he says it's a rare truck



It's just a hull. No motor, transmission, drive shaft, or radiator. The front tires are also rotted, rears may be useable.



Body pretty decent, some rust holes here and there. The missing sheet metal pieces are in the cab. It says Viking on it. I think it once had some kind of dump bed on it.



Inside looks pretty good. Doors shut solid, and windows still roll up and down.



Short frame, but I like that because I would want to use it to pull a goose neck. It has a huge rear end. It should pull, but I'm not sure if it would be compatible with a modern engine and transmission.

This truck is just a pipe dream I guess. I really don't have the know how to fix her up like I would want. It would probably have to be modernized some to be road worthy. I'm not even sure what kind of engine to use. My first guess is a 350 Chevy with a granny 4 speed. It would probably have to be modified regardless what you used. Does anyone know what kind of motor this truck may originally had? I'd just like to hear some ballpark opinions on what it would take to get this truck back on the road, and maybe the cost. Starting at 2 grand, I'm guessing at least 10. Thanks   

This is my 63 with 67000 miles. 292 6cyl. Works great around close. If I were building a hauler ,the cab is all that would be original and as fat as I am I don't think I'd use this one. Used to be some guyes down your way that towed with 2 old trucks, Macks maybe, had all allis chalmers and were a show going down the road. Was it Yates? Man my memory is bad....

All Chevrolet mounts and bell housings engine to engine all sizes were the same until got into the heavy trucks, heavier than these. Car Pickup or up to 2 1/2 ton truck would interchange like matched puzzle pieces.

My vote would be a 301 or 426 turbo diesel and a 5 speed behind it.  That way Allis pulls Allis to the shows.  Torch and a welder anything will fit.

AndyT GA wrote: My vote would be a 301 or 426 turbo diesel and a 5 speed behind it.  That way Allis pulls Allis to the shows.  Torch and a welder anything will fit.

I favor your idea. I own a 66’ C60, 327, 4speed, 2speed rearend. Love it.
Worse part about it is the old “Widow Maker” two piece 20” wheel rims. They’re outlawed now, so no tire shop will fix them. Tire shop recommended that I get a set of the new 19.5” truck wheels to comply. Cost of wheels was more than value of truck then. That was about 12 years ago. May want to check into it before you get in deep?
I also like the idea of the AC 301 coupled to 4 speed. Good luck.

We had a GMC Pickup. a V6 engine, 4 speed.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Task_Force

According to this page, starting in 1958, all medium duty trucks were called Vikings. I guess it was earlier than that when there was something special about the Viking. I don't know if you told the year of the truck but I believe it's between 1959 and 1961 or 62 (larger trucks usually ran body styles a year longer than 1/2 tons). If that's the case then, according to Wikipedia, there's nothing special about that truck. Might be another bargaining chip to show the owner and say "the truck is a run of the mill truck, nothing special"

Think it is either a '60 or '61. The torsion bar suspension might help to make it rare but not more desirable.

Like Tyler says, wave $1400 in his face, leave a phone number and walk out.  Might be surprised!

 Check this out Ranse .  asheville.craigslist.org/cto/d/erwin-67-chevy-1-ton-ramp-truck-v-speed/6841684945.html

Edited by Tim NH - 10 Apr 2019 at 7:04am

Dang, that link didn't work. Anyone know how to heat it up.  Tim

those torsion bars rode good. Might have difficult time sourcing parts for that vintage. Need 70-80's 2 ton chassis with 427 BB and 4 or 5 spd w/2 spd rear to set cab and fenders on! But then 2 grand would be alot for just the body.....but they ain't making them any more?!

Very well stated Lou!

If it were me if definitely go with something that had overdrive if I could make it work. We've got a C70 with a 366 and a 5/2 and that thing will run 55 but it's screaming when it does.