1957 Chevrolet 9700 Ramp Truck

Description

Some vehicles are filled with so much potential that they practically beg to be taken home. Take this 1957 Chevrolet 9700 ramp truck, for instance, which offers so many options that are just plain cool no matter what you do. Leave it as-is? Upgrade the mechanicals to have a cross-country hauler with patina? Go full custom? The sky's the limit and there's a choice for every budget.

Admittedly, this isn't a purchase for the guy with a 2-car garage, but if you have the space, this is one heck of a cool street stretcher. If you've got something cool to haul around or just like the look of a vintage truck, this big Chevy delivers (literally!). The red paint is ancient and faded, but I don't necessarily think that's a demerit, do you? It seems to add to the industrial-strength look and you'll never worry about someone scratching it at a show, right? Underneath, the sheetmetal seems solid and the Cameo's car-like styling translates rather well to 12/10s scale, with attractive details that make this more than just a commercial hauler. The ramp is obviously newer than the truck, but everything seems to have been refinished at the same point in the distant past, so it works rather well as an artifact. The white grille, shiny stainless trim, and those two cool spotlights up top all make for a truck that never stops being interesting, no matter how long you look at it.

The interior is pretty basic and it's definitely showing its age, but again, do you restore it or just enjoy it? You're perched way up there with a commanding view of the road, and the wrap-around windshield offers panoramic views in every direction. The vinyl seat cover is industrial grade, but that's how these trucks were when they were new and you probably don't have to worry about climbing aboard with dirty jeans after loading up your car. The red carpets are not stock, although they've got some age on them, but otherwise it's pretty much as the factory made it. The instrument panel should look familiar to anyone who has driven a mid-50s Chevy, and it includes an accessory tachometer that's actually quite useful in this low-geared hauler. No frills, no extras, but that's not really the point here and if you're looking at this truck as a blank canvas, it also means nobody else's wonky work to undo before you begin.

The engine is a 331 cubic inch V8, which was GM's truck-grade powerplant. It's not fast, it's not going to win races, but with the gears in the 5-speed, it'll haul huge loads without getting tired. The engine bay is quite original-looking, with a familiar air cleaner up top and remnants of Chevy Orange paint on the block. Someone has thoughtfully added a Saginaw power steering setup which makes it a lot easier to wheel around and as you'd expect, there's plenty of room for easy service or a powerplant upgrade. The underside is pretty stock and everything is oversized to handle the big loads, including the gigantic pumpkin out back that looks like it belongs under a steam locomotive. Heavy-duty steel wheels have been painted to match the body and carry sturdy truck tires that look right.

If you can see the potential here, I don't need to sell you on the truck. The basics are quite good and there's nothing else that can haul your rod better than a roll back like this. Call today!