1918 Stewart Truck

As 1918 Advertising states “Leading businesses everywhere are adopting LIGHT delivery trucks, which save time, money and labor, and allow the business to serve a wider territory. Having a light delivery truck as such is as essential as the cash register, telephone, and typewriter.” All built from quality materials, by craftsmen, in an economical yet efficient and solid way.

For consignment, a Stewart Truck, right out of Buffalo, New York and 1918. This rare single wheel flatbed truck survives in fair to good condition, currently not running, but a spare engine comes along for the ride to help with some extra parts. A metal frame and front of the truck, with an all steel frame underneath and steel bordered bed, light trucking never looked so good.

Exterior
With its heavy duty cast radiator leading the way flanked by electric lighting which fronts a cowled hood all bathed in red paint with no rust, this truck is looking a lot like it did in 1918. Front fenders curve around the 36-inch wood spoked front wheels with metal hubs and form a running board to help the driver enter the wood framed cab. Steel beams make up the structure for the rear flatbed which is lined with thick planks of pine bolted to an undercarriage structure. On back is a single 36-inch wood spoked wheel attached to an outer metal rim and using another central metal hub. On said bed, is a spare engine, and various boxes of miscellaneous parts. The cab is framed with plywood, has no windshield, and a wood dash.

Interior
Climbing up onto the black vinyl covered bench and back you can perch yourself behind the large steering wheel, presumed to be original. On the floor a shift lever, handbrake, and the pedals it takes to operate the truck. A few gauges and electric wires are open to the air, and the wires presumably operate turn signals? More wood for the cab floors, as well as the structure for the overhanging roof.

Drivetrain
A 4-cylinder Continental Red Seal Engine fires on gasoline, and no carb is seen on this engine. A 3-speed manual transmission is on back.

Undercarriage
All steel and amazingly rust free, this truck has spent a lot of its life sitting inside a storage barn. Leaf sprung suspension was the way to go in 1918, and mechanical drum brakes would lead to an interesting ride down a steep hill with a load on the back bed!

Most likely this truck spent its work life as a yard truck due to no windshield, no doors and no protection for the driver while out on said highway. Stewart Corporation did make a canvas cover that would shield the driver in bad weather, but this truck does not have that option along for the ride. Paint and finishes are in overall good shape, mechanically it does not run, but the engine does turn when we put the truck in gear, and try to roll it forward, so it is not seized. Extra parts are right on back, as well as an included engine. An interesting piece of light trucking history, with a rare single rear wheel.