Dusty & Rusty – 1935 Chevrolet 1/2 Ton High Cab Pickup

The 1930s were obviously one of the most fun times in the United States. Everyone was roaming the country in search of work, running from insane dust storms, staying fit by eating very little and generally just having an excellent time. Oh wait, that’s all terrible. What’s also terrible is the condition of this 1935 Chevrolet High Cab 1/2 Ton Pickup that rolled out of the factory at the height of the Great Depression. Understandably, not a whole lot of these metal on wood cabbed trucks survive today. Not only were parts as scarce as bread, but the war effort saw a lot of old workhorses turned into bullets. Fortunately, this one on Craigslist

from of Milwaukee was saved from Uncle Sam and a long list of other possible fates. But with a $15,500 asking price, does this old truck have a chance at making a Great Impression?

The ad features an article that has a valid point, if you bought a truck in the 1930s it was to haul stuff, not for any sort of play. The fact that this truck wasn’t beaten into the ground, especially given its cab was manufactured by nailing sheet metal to a wood frame, is an automotive miracle. Although a host of new parts are included, the 207ci, flat six motor is not in running condition, but it does turn over, and over, and over. If you want to find out what its 72 horses are capable of hauling then a complete rebuild will likely be necessary before you’ll have a chance at punching gears. This one is probably equipped with a three speed, as not many people would have had the extra pennies to splurge for the four on the floor option.

This truck needs pretty much everything, except a new windshield, so that’s a start. The interior, which would have originally featured “leather-type” material, seems to have sprung for a life as mouse meal. It does seem as if most of the dash components are there, but good luck getting them ticking. Or who knows, throw a battery in there and get out of Dodge — er Chevrolet?

Finding untarnished vehicles from the prewar era is becoming more and more difficult. Of course finding people willing to spend tens of thousands completing restorations on them is getting even harder, which often leads to vehicles like these being rat rodded. Seems the rats have already got to this one. Since this example seems fairly complete, hopefully someone takes the time to piece together a truck that represents one of the toughest socioeconomic times in our country’s history. It deserves to live on after making it this far.