The Pride of the Fleet. This one is the reason I got into old cars. When my Dad was 19 he bought it from Uncle Nick, and it hasn't quit running since. Always been named The Old Dodge, its a 1941 Dodge Weapons Carrier that the U.S. had at the start of WWII. Someone grafted a 1932 Diamond T cab onto the truck in place of the open, no-door original cab. Except for the engine, it's all stock drivetrain. Way Awesome. If I wasn't such a sucker for preservation I would opt for a Viking Funeral in this truck.
Sheet Metal Fabrication:
'41 Dodge WC - This truck doesn't get much sheet metal work done to it, since the original builders did such a good job making it a unique custom truck some 60+ years ago. Sometimes it needs new metal though! This is one of the reflectors on the rear of the truck, made with glass marbles as the reflecting surface. I decided to practice my skills and fabricate a new one from scratch. It weighs about 5 lbs. heavier than a modern plastic reflector.
'41 Dodge WC - This truck doesn't get much sheet metal work done to it, since the original builders did such a good job making it a unique custom truck some 60+ years ago. Sometimes it needs new metal though! This is one of the reflectors on the rear of the truck, made with glass marbles as the reflecting surface. I decided to practice my skills and fabricate a new one from scratch. It weighs about 5 lbs. heavier than a modern plastic reflector.
Restoration:
'41 Dodge WC - This cool truck has deserved a fresh coat of paint for a long time. I decided to change it up a bit and use the original Mil-spec Olive Drab paint that it would have left the factory with. I think it suits the truck just right!
'41 Dodge WC - This cool truck has deserved a fresh coat of paint for a long time. I decided to change it up a bit and use the original Mil-spec Olive Drab paint that it would have left the factory with. I think it suits the truck just right!
Restoration:
'41 Dodge WC - Brand new brake shoes all the way around, honed and rebuilt wheel cylinders. Stops on a dime for the first time ever.
'41 Dodge WC - Brand new brake shoes all the way around, honed and rebuilt wheel cylinders. Stops on a dime for the first time ever.
Restoration:
'41 Dodge WC - Installed exhaust manifold and intake from a 1951 Dodge car. With a few holes drilled and tapped it fit fine and was in much better shape than the one that came off, as you can see!
'41 Dodge WC - Installed exhaust manifold and intake from a 1951 Dodge car. With a few holes drilled and tapped it fit fine and was in much better shape than the one that came off, as you can see!
Restoration:
'41 Dodge WC - Rear half of frame cleaned of any surface rust and painted in preparation for new wood.
'41 Dodge WC - Rear half of frame cleaned of any surface rust and painted in preparation for new wood.
Restoration:
'41 Dodge WC - Replaced all front axle bearings and seals, replaced all spring bushings.
'41 Dodge WC - Replaced all front axle bearings and seals, replaced all spring bushings.
