VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 My 37 Pickup

Here's a link to a photo of my recently acquired 37 Chev pickup. When the photo appears, click on it to blow it up to a larger size.

http://s1122.photobucket.com/albums/l528/mryeamans/37%20Chev%20Pickup/

This truck came off the Oakland assembly plant and was purchased new in San Francisco, where it remained in the same family until this past August. The truck was reported to be the family pet, and it is obvious that it lived inside all its life and was well-cared for. The paint is original, as is the wood in the bed, which, though dried and checked is still solid and complete. The truck has 62,000 miles on it and is nearly all original and close to 100% complete. I was amazed to see the original upholstery on the seat cushions, though the seat back has been re-covered. The only parts I see, so far, that are not original are the carburetor, and the generator, which is a rebuilt unit of the correct 3rd brush type. Also, it has a set of town & country horns, which by the looks of the wiring, were an owner-installed add-on, as it also has the standard manifold-mounted truck horn.

There is some surface rust on the hood and front fenders, which appears to be the result of a leaking roof where the truck had been in storage for several years.

The truck runs really well, though it starves for gas when I get up to around 45 mph. I suspected a restricted fuel tank valve and in fact I did find some debris in it, but cleaning it out didn't solve the problem. I replaced the non-original Bendix carburetor with a closer-to-original rebuilt Carter W-1 420-S unit. That didn't correct the problem either. Tomorrow I'll change the fuel pump out and check the inline filter.

I'm not too wild about the whitewall tires, but the gentleman I bought the truck from had just installed them, so they're brand new. So I'll have to put about 25,000 miles on the truck before I can get some nice pickup truck type blackwall tires.

I hope to get an HPOCF certification when I can get to a judged event.

Mark Yeamans
VCCA #35724

Mark, Tried to view your pictures but it would not let me get past password. could be that i messed up as usual?

Love to see photo but it's password protected.

Ditto. Mark try posting the "direct link" URL to the individual picture or slideshow if you have it set up as a slide show. I've used Photobucket for years and never even realized that it was possible to password protect viewing of the images.

Webshots is like that also. There is a tab for public viewing or private. I never put anything on the web that is private viewing but I guess some folks do. BTW..did you get a package?

Indeed I did Steve, thank you! Sorry for not thanking you earlier. A senior moment I guess.

Good. Maybe something can be used as parts in the future.

I could not login either. Would love to see the truck as I have had mine for 32 years now and grown especially fond of 37 Chevrolet pickups. In addition, it would be nice to compare, if the picture was available.

I'm also the owner of an all original 37 pickup. It was not all original when I bought it,but I have it close as possible. The main thing, the engine was a low pressure 235. I was able to purchase a 216 from a 37. Would you beleive it was all standard and rebuildable.

Mark -
We all show our email addresses in our Profiles. I think you should do a mass emailing of pics of your truck to all of us! We really want to see it!!

Or post your password to your photobucket account and then we should be able to see it. Oh well, just a thought.

I apologize for the password protection. I just tried web hosting for the first time late last night, and at some point thought I needed to mark the photo as "private". I have now changed the photo to "public". Hopefully, everyone will now be able to view it.

http://s1122.photobucket.com/albums...ickup/?action=view&current=003-1.jpg


What I'd like to do add a photo directly into a post, but, after following the directions in "Chat Help", all I get when I try it is a small box with a red X in it. Anybody know what might be wrong?

Mark

Nice truck Mark. To put a picture directly into a post from Photobucket look the the right of, or below depending on how you're viewing the photo, the photo in Photobucket. You'll see a box titled "Share this photo". Left click on the "Direct Link" URL. You will see "copied" momentarily where the URL was. The URL is now on your clipboard. Come back to Chat & start the post you wish the photo to be in. When you want to put your photo in the post click on the fourth icon from the left just above the text box. It's a rectangle with one corner folded over and a pink triangle & two blue dots in it. When you click that icon a small menu box will drop down giving you four options. I always take the first "insert a non floating image". When you click that a small box will open asking for the URL of your image (you have it on your clipboard). You'll notice the "http://" is already highlighted. Delete that then left click on the line where it was. The URL for your picture will appear in the box. Click OK and the code to put the picture in your post will appear in the text box. Click "Preview Post" to make sure everything is as you want it. When it's all kosher click "Submit". What you'll get is something like this:

I LOVE THAT TRUCK....I love cars & trucks that have not been molested, are survisors and in their original condition.
Good Luck....ED

Really NICE! Good pictures.

Mark:
Great looking truck. She looks like a twin to Old Blue, our '37 1/2 ton. Do you know what her Oakland plant production number is?
37Blue

Your new 37 looks great, Mark!!! I was able to get into your 'slide show' and view all six pix in the larger size. What a find! ENJOY!! Maui Bill.

Lee,

My '37 truck ID is 6GC07 9798. I really enjoyed the layout in the G&D of Old Blue. I have a couple questions. Is that blue color on your truck what they refer to as Export Blue? I've got a nice 40 pickup that was originally painted that color, and when I get to the cosmetic restoration, I want to return it to that color (it was re-painted about 40 years ago to a blue that has too much purple in it). Also, you may have noticed in the photos of my '37 that it has some minor grille damage, which I think I can straighten out fairly easy. I have the removable piece for the crank hole access, and I'm wondering what holds that piece in place? Friction?

Mark

Tiny,

Thanks for the instructions on adding a photo directly to a post. I tested it and it worked fine. See my post titled Southwest Fall Tour to Chama.

Mark

I'm glad it worked for you Mark.

Mark:
The paint was done by a previous owner. He told me he did not have the paint codes, so I doubt it is the same as Export Blue. Judging from the paint chip samples I've seen it does look to be close though.

The crank hole cover on Old Blue was missing and an item I need to order. In it's place, for now, is a strip of bent, polished, aluminum held in place with a screw. When I had the grill off several years ago, I think I recall there was evidence a spot welded nut had been used to hold a screw at one time.

The grill was bent, dented and pinched in numerous spots, but salvageable. It was a fairly easy task to straighten with the grill removed from the body. My attempts at doing the repairs with the grill in place were futile. Getting the grill out and re-installed was the challenging part, but not too hard. If needed, I think I recall starting a thread in Chat about 3 years ago. Also, there is a short article in the technical tip part of the VCCA Members Only section.

Lee

I wish my 37 was that nice when I got it,mine was a old shop truck that my uncle bought to use on his farm and finished beating it to death and shoved it in the woods when he was done with it. If mine looked that nice I would have left it as it was and got it drivable.

Mark & 37 Blue
The 37 truck grill crankhole cover is pressed in place for easy removal when needed cranking takes place. I've had my 37 since 1972, was originaly Brewster green like Mark's.
Restored in winter of 75 spring of 76, painted Boatswain Blue (dark blue with red pinstipes). Drove to Colorado Springs National meet July of 76 recv'd 2nd place and have been showing off an on since then, still shows pretty good and will have it at Flint in July since it is only 35 mile trip. I did pick up a 1937 steering column mounted radio head at Colorado, installed in 79 and still works fine.

WaltD:
Thank you for the info. It sounds like your '37 half ton is a really cute gal too! Is the Boatswains Blue a bit darker color than Export Blue?

Here is a photo of the back side of Old Blue's grill before restoration. There is a hole near the top of the crank access port. Any idea on the purpose?
Thanks, 37Blue

37Blue,
Boatswain Blue is much darker than Export Blue. There were three standard colors for 37, Red, Export Blue, Brewster Green.

There were eight listed Optional colors (at no extra cost), Omaha Orange, Apple Green, Black, White, Cream Medium, Aluminen (Silver), Boatswain Blue, and Yellow.

The hole in the center bar above the crankhole is to hold the long center chrome piece in place. The crankhole cover will then cover the bolt.