1949 Chevrolet 5700 Loadmaster Truck
"Built in stamina. Just look at this Chevrolet frame, it's as tough and as dependable as they come. Note the channel type design, the depth, flange width, and metal thicknesses which give added beam strength and toughness. It's a frame that will take its designed load easily and which will stand up to all the years of hard grueling work you can give it, it's the built in stamina of these Chevrolet trucks." From the 1949 Chevrolet commercial truck brochure.
For consignment, a 1949 Chevrolet 5700 Loadmaster truck showing 1,422 miles, but the true miles are unknown. What is known is this truck came to the mall under its own power, a trip of 90 miles, without a hiccup. Seeing this on the highway in the 40's would not raise an eyebrow, but today it is almost exotic in its classic styling, surely turning heads along the way.
Exterior
We're seeing red, and lots of it! This super tall rig is coated in two stage Commercial Red paint which covers everything you'll see in your rear view mirror, from the bumper to the vertical grille to the bulbous hood. It's like a big red whale with a car sized greenhouse sitting on top, cab lights, and massive chrome horns. It's a show on wheels even as it sits still with 19.5-inch chrome circles enhancing the profile. Chrome stacks are next, followed by a boxy bed with matching red riveted outer walls and diamond steel plating on the inside, surrounding beautiful pewter colored planks on the floor. Imperfections are few and include open mounting holes on the front bumper, paint chips on panel edges, a scuff on the left rear corner, and a few random scratches and chips.
Interior
Gray plastic panels hold the door hardware over pewter steel bottoms, showing some usage but intact. Up top, a pair of gray cloth bucket seats definitely not from 1949 await to provide a comfortable ride workers in '49 could only dream about! They also show some wear and even a tear. An S10 type steering wheel greets the driver on a chrome tilt column which connects with the original dashboard with vintage gauges and decals while the center grille hovers over an added triple pack of gauges. The shifter sits between the seats over gray carpet while a gray headliner waterfalls down to surround the fixed rear window.
Drivetrain
On board is a 350ci V8 and a 4-barrel carburetor with power steering, tied to a 5-speed manual New Venture 4500 transmission that routes power to the rear Dana 80 axle.
Undercarriage
Massive mud flaps and a polished differential cover dress up the view from behind and underneath, everything is in place and massive! For suspension, coil springs are up front with leaf springs in back secured by giant U-bolts. Power disc brakes are at all four corners and the dual exhaust flows through wide pipes and FlowMaster mufflers before reaching for the sky via chrome stacks.
Drive-Ability
The trusty 350 comes to life after we've climbed to the top of this red mountain. The view of the road is a commanding one and you'll be able to see the rooftops of most cars on the road. She tracks straight, runs well, and all functions on board operate as intended as we return to the mall to make some space in the truck room for this impressive ride. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Parade truck, show vehicle, museum piece, business promotion? The possibilities are endless for this wonderfully restored commercial truck. If your warehouse or airplane hangar has room, this bright red Loadmaster will surely deliver!
3RSL1387
3-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
R-1949
S-5700 Series
L-December Build
1387-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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