1940 Dodge 1/2-Ton Pickup

Description

Vintage trucks are red hot, and with all the Chevys and Fords running around, what's a Mopar fan to do? Well, you could grab this great-looking, wild 1940 Dodge ½-ton pickup that has a lot of old-school dragster charm with thoroughly updated hardware underneath. You probably won't see anything like this running around and you can actually drive it to and from the track without a second thought, making it a great hobby vehicle that's more than just an untamed beast.

It's had a lot of custom work put into the recent build (finished only 333 miles ago), but one of the coolest thing's about this truck is that it's not as radical as many of its brothers. It's not kicked in the air way up front, it doesn't have an unmanageable drive train and window-shattering soundtrack, nor does it have a wild paint job that makes your eyes squint. In fact, it's actually quite subdued, well, for a Gasser-esque type build anyway. The Matte Yellow paint is the biggest factor to this Dodge's somewhat reserved looks, and it is actually just primer, so it's truly a blank canvas for anyone. Just block sand it and paint it any color you like, or you can leave it, because the look really works anyway on the classic shape of this truck, which has been further customized with flared fenders, a bed and rear fenders swapped in from a '41 Ford that were purposely shaped and smoothed, an auxiliary gas tank up front (installed just for nostalgia), and of course the exposed intake stacks that jut out of the forward tilting hood. The curving shape is familiar, simply because everyone loves pickups of the '40s, and with the headlamps perched high on the tops of the front fenders, tear drop taillights out back, and that absolutely killer stance, this Dodge has a unique look that'll stand out in a crowd. Running boards and bumpers were also removed, as was all the brightwork and chrome on the truck (sans the door handles), and the inside of the bed was fabricated to handle the big wheel tubs and both the relocated gas tank and battery.

Simple is good inside, where you get a dark red cloth bench seat, plain doors, and a stock dash, which all take you back to the good old days. However, updates are certainly found too, including a wood-rimmed 3-spoke steering wheel, a set of seatbelts that came with the later-model bench seat, and an array of aftermarket Auto Meter gauges just ahead of the driver that keep a close eye on the organized violence underneath the large hood ahead. There's also a hood-mounted tachometer mounted cleverly ahead of the driver's vantage point and a very trick B&M shifter for the built TH350 3-speed automatic transmission below. A bare floor reminds us this is still a commercial vehicle and there is no radio, which is how it came from the factory. Add in the same insulating adhesive on the headliner that's found on the floor, original hardware on the doors, and fresh weather-stripping throughout, it's surprisingly comfortable for longer hauls.

And those very hauls we mention are considerably easier with the recently built (only 333 miles on the clock) V8 stroker motor under the hood. With 383 cubic inches, Holley 4-barrel carburetor, performance intake, and an old-school set-up and non-nonsense look, this truck runs and drives beautifully. A few chrome dress-up pieces like the finned valve covers make it sparkle and the clean and open-air look in the engine bay is a testament to the careful build. Dig the ornamental stack atop the block, a big aluminum radiator, and neatly organized wiring and plumbing throughout, all of which make this Dodge really stand out in a crowd. The heavy-duty transmission is the aforementioned TH350 automatic with a manual shift kit and a 2500 stall convertor, and it drives the rear end that swapped in from a 2002 Cadillac Escalade and features 3.42 gears inside. Four wheel disc brakes give this Mopar the stopping power it absolutely needs, and the dual exhaust below is loud, snarly, and angry, and it sings through a set of Glasspack-style mufflers and exits just before the rear pumpkin (the side exits under the front fenders are capped and therefore aesthetic). The frame was painted and detailed very neatly, so it can be shown-off with pride, and like mentioned before this Dodge sits just right, not overly raked like most Gassers, but fairly level so regular street driving is always on the menu. The classic big-and-little look is a must, and this Dodge looks great with bright alloy wheels wrapped in 165/80/15 Kumho radials up front and 31x16.5x15 rear Mickey Thompson's out back.

Very well built and ready to enjoy, this killer Dodge delivers unlike any truck we've ever featured. Take a closer look, this unique pickup won't last long. Call today!