1946 Chevrolet Pickup Carry All

Description

The post-war pickups were some of Chevy's best-looking haulers, but if you needed something with a bed and enclosed, protected storage, something like this 1946 Chevrolet Carry-All was a much smarter bet. This is actually a very rare vehicle, not simply a panel truck, but a panel truck with windows. Honestly, when was the last time you saw one?

Go ahead and make your school bus jokes now because after you get a closer look, you're really going to be singing a different tune. It's quite nicely built, keeping all the original bodywork for a beautiful vintage look, and if you've ever restored a post-war Chevy pickup, you know how expensive the trim can be. The rare parts on this one are likely impossible to find, so I bet it was a good, complete, solid truck to begin with and the paint shop did an outstanding job of getting the flanks smooth without erasing the details. Check out the belt moldings that extend from the grille, the lovely surrounding impression around the windows, and the grilles in the hood sides, all of which make this hauler look quite upscale indeed. The bright yellow paint has a great shine that works well here and aside from a few signs of having been driven, it's very sharp and crisp. An accessory windshield visor is a popular period accessory that's also practical, there are Chevy bowtie emblems on the running boards, and the rear has been smoothly shaved with LED taillights relocated to the rear bumper.

As a hauler, this is strictly a two-seater, but there's plenty of luxury for both passengers inside. Bucket seats from a late-model offer armrests and a mixture of tan leather and ostrich skin upholstery that looks and feels luxurious. The original dash has been updated with a billet insert for the Dakota Digital instruments, and a chrome tilt column makes it easy to settle in behind the wheel. You also get a powerful AM/FM/CD/iPod stereo system with Bluetooth integration, power windows, and a powerful A/C system that chills the whole cabin without a problem. And speaking of the rear cabin, it's beautifully finished in the same materials and includes a beautifully finished wood cargo floor that's almost too nice to use for anything but looking good. Tinted glass helps the A/C's effectiveness and that little device on the dashboard is called a "trafficator," which was part of the visor package. It's a little prism that allows you to see overhead stop lights without craning your neck. Cool, right?

Power comes from a familiar 350 cubic inch Chevy V8, and it's competent and reliable in its duties. It also looks great ahead of the stainless-faced firewall, wearing a chrome air cleaner and a big 4-barrel carburetor. All the wiring is new Ron Francis stuff, so it works right, and there's a giant aluminum radiator up front with an electric fan to keep things cool. Block-hugger headers feed a pair of Magnaflow mufflers with side-exit pipes just ahead of the rear wheels, and it sounds downright wicked. The front suspension is a Mustang II arrangement with rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes, while the rear axle appears to be a 10-bolt with 3.73 gears inside. Thanks to the 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, the tall gears aren't a problem for cruising and the rear end is also equipped with disc breaks, giving this Carry All the ability to stop quickly and safely. Staggered chrome wheels with baby moon hubcaps are exactly the right choice and carry 235/60/15 front and 275/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials.

A very cool hauler that will get you noticed at every show you attend. It's also practical in a way that few pickups can be, and the build really stands out, so don't be afraid to use it. Call today!