1948 Chevrolet 3600 Stakebody 

A flatbed has a solid bed, usually of wooden planks.  There is no roof and no fixed sides.  To retain the load there are often low sides which may be hinged down for loading, as a 'drop-side' truck.  A 'stake truck' has no sides but has steel upright stanchions, which may be removable, again used to retain the load.

For consignment, a former cemetery truck in Chicago's western suburbs, our consignor purchased it in 1976.  He did an engine overhaul and new wiring prior to bringing it to Philly in 1981.  It was then used for a landscaping business until 1990 then mothballed all the while doing some intermittent restoration work.  New paint in 2016, a new interior upholstery job, and a new gray long needle pine with metal stripping for the flatbed.  SO, now we have a fantastic example of this 3/4 ton flatbed from the bowtie company.

Exterior
This curvaceous truck is bathed in Admiral Green on its straight steel rust free panels, and complimentary black painted curving fenders.  Upfront is a grille which curves to match the hood above is also painted black is sans chrome trimming on the horizontal bars.  Below is a black painted curved single bumper and above  a large Chevrolet badge undulates around the rounded hood.  Single headlights on the front of rounded over bump out fenders, and we see orange turn signal lights mounted above on top of the fenders.  The large hood cozies up to the split windshield with near perfect glass, and a nicely rounded over single door cab.  Chrome is slightly pitted and aged for the handles but the long extended rear view side mirrors are like new.  Below this cab, and behind the front fender right at the rocker is a black metal running board/step up which stops at the end of the cab.  A large rear flatbed extends the width of the truck just slightly larger than the cab.  It creates the rear fender and at the same time provides the cargo area.  For this bed we see nicely aged gray long needle pine and metal strips between the pine.  Stakes are a  framing fence if you will around the bed and are also nicely gray aged using steel stock to hold them to the bed.  The wheels are simple white painted steel and show some aging but have no hubcaps, so they are looking the truck part.   

Interior
After fussing with my hair in those mirrors I swing the doors and I see pure manliness and utility with aged steel door panels and like new crank and actuators.  The same holds true for the dash as it has a wonderful patina and is truly original.  As is the steering wheel and gauges.  A ribbed center panel is in and this has an ashtray which hinges out from the ribs.  The passenger side has more ribs and these are the front of a glovebox.  A shifter is on the column and some used rubber flooring is below.  Above is a brown vinyl headliner which matches the newly covered brown vinyl full bench below.  The bench now has seat belts.  Rough and tumble but hey it's a classic truck with a great look.

Drivetrain
More unrestored heaven under the hood with the original 216.5ci inline 6 cylinder engine.  It presents in black and has a nice overall patina.  Some slight rust is on here too but it's all good in this writer's eyes.  It is fed by a 1-barrel carburetor, and a 3-speed manual transmission is on back.  A 4.57 rear axle pulls the weight.

Undercarriage
Black strong steel with a peppering of light to moderate surface rust is noted on all undercarriage surfaces,  The underside of the wood is in good shape with no rotting.  Leaf springs are the suspension and drums are the brakes.  Unrestored but still strong like a 3/4 ton should be!

Drive-Ability
I hopped up to the task and was not disappointed.  I love the ride height, and the new bench is sweet.  The truck fired right up despite the choke being frozen.  It ran great, shifted with ease and gave a good truck-like ride.  Braking was solid and I was looking for a short run haul when I was finished as I wanted more!  A rebuilt starter and new fuel pump added to the efficiency of this 1948 version.

The look of utility with just the right amount of restoration I would not touch any more or it will start to take on a trailer queen aura.  We don't want that, as it's a TRUCK.  Men, Men, Men, Men …Men!
1FRD2316

1-Flint, MI Assy Plant
F-1948
R-3600 Series
D-April Build
2316-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.