VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1927 Truck bodies

Fellas,

I was looking at a advertised 1928 chevy truck, and found it to be a 1927 model. Its a 103 inch wheelbase, 27 engine, radiator shell and steering wheel diameter, 27 pedals, no front brakes...its a 27.

But, I am at a loss to know the body manufacturer, I am thinking it might be a Hercules, but it might also be a York-Hoover...

The two major differences I am seeing in this truck with the way the cowl meets the cab, its running straight into a upright cab body. The other factor, is the dash is very far forward, its actually stamped into the firewall itself, hence, the instrument pods, etc...are all very close to the rear of the engine's cyl head. A special bracket had to be made to keep the vacuum tank upright, and its bolted to this slanted firewall as well.

Here is a Hercules image, and the truck I am looking at does have the small vertical window in the cab as well.

http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/GM%20Trucks/1928/1928%20Chevrolet%20Truck%20Ad-02.html

As a contrast, look at this 1927 truck, its quite different...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280867378775

This example has a more typical dash, and the cowl is flaired in smoothly, no rear vertical window...

Anyone that has more info, I would much appreciate it.

Ciao,

Jay

Jay,
Your post has me totally confused. Don't see a photo of the "advertised 1928 chevy truck". The Hercules illustration and "1926" truck listed on eBay don't help me understand what you are asking, only get more confused. The Hercules is a 1/2 ton express or screen side express. The "1926" is actually a 1927 one ton.

Chipper et al.

I didn't post a photo of the truck I was inspecting..

Yes, I realize which models of truck I am looking at, but my question, was for more info on the Hercules bodied trucks, if they had the recessed firewall/dash configuration.

If that is the case, then the truck I am looking at would most likely be a Hercules bodied truck.

Jay

I don't know anyone that can answer your question? Some 1 ton trucks used the firewall mounted instruments and others used a separate dashboard. Did Hercules use both types? Probably. My 1928 Hercules bodied 1/2 ton Canopy Express has a separate dashboard.

Howdy,

My truck is a Hercules Canopy Express body put onto a Chevrolet 1/2 ton commercial chassis, meaning the gauges and in the firewall, not on a separate dash.

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/galleries/241457#Post241457

Cheers, Dean

Hi Dean,

Okay, so it was Chevy who stamped the recessed firewall and fitted gauges, etc...this makes sense, I somehow doubt that Hercules would be able to so readily stamp a firewall, it would be fitted by Chevy at the factory and delivered to a dealer....

Then in that case, Chevy offered two 1/2 ton chassis, a light duty example, and a commercial example....

Anyway, on page 66 of G. H. Dammann's 75 Years of Chevrolet, is a photo of a 1927 truck that is quite identical to the truck I had been looking at. The author suggested that it is a Hercules bodied truck. Yet, the description lists the vehicle as a Capitol Series AA Light Delivery truck...there aren't any interior photos to verify the recessed firewall/dash.

One curious thing, with the recessed firewall,, the interior takes on a almost nautical sense of style....

Dean, if you could offer a photo of your AB Canopy, that would be interesting...

thanks,

Jay

All the '27-'28 commercial cowls had the firewall stamped for gauges. The gauge holes were not totally opened just cut and depressed. An uncut tab was left to hold the metal in place (like a metal electrical box). The blanks were not removed unless gauges were actually installed.

Don't rely on 75 Years of Chevrolet to be accurate. It is filled with errors and mis-information.

Here's a pic of Justin:

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/galleries/189099/My_28_AB_Canopy_Express

Cheers, Dean

Dean,

Thanks for the link and photo.

Yes, there are similarities....even the condition of the bodywork and paint,

Will post a photo if the 27 Hercules follows me home in the near future.

Ciao

Jay