Here’s another colorful assortment of the lovable trucks that are so ugly, they’re cute—the cabovers. See any of your favorites here?
In our first feature on cab-over-engine trucks a few months ago, Cabovers with Charisma, we pondered the imponderable: How can such ungainly vehicles be so enjoyable to look at? The cabover’s details are familiar, but the proportions are all goofed up. They look like conventional long-hood trucks as viewed in a carnival funhouse mirror. If nothing else, they’re entertaining.
Cabover semi tractors are now virtually obsolete. When the length regulations for over-the-road trucks were eased, suddenly there was much less need to forego ride quality, fuel economy, and driver safety to gain a few feet in cargo capacity. However, COE configurations remain popular in straight trucks, where visibility and maneuverability are needful traits. Below, another group of beautifully homely cabovers.
The Badger Four Wheel Drive Truck Company, founded in 1909 in Clintonville, Wisconsin and eventually renamed the FWD Corporation, was the pioneer of heavy-duty, four-wheel drive trucks. FWDs were high-quality rigs, renowned for their ruggedness and off-road ability. On this 1927 open-cab model with tilt dump body, the transfer case and front and rear driveshafts are in clear view. In 1963, FWD acquired the Seagrave Fire Equipment business and today, fire and emergency trucks are marketed under the combined FWD Seagrave brand.
Cabover wreckers were less common than conventional units back in the ’40s. Still, any garage operator of the time would be proud to run this 1946 Dodge COE, fitted out with a top-of-the-line Holmes tow set and body. Check out the multiple steps to provide access up into the cab, and also note the spotlight mounted above the door for illuminating accident scenes.
For 1949, Dodge updated its entire truck line with fresh post-war styling, but fortunately, the cabover models retained their quirky snubnose look The 1951 Dodge COE chassis cab, as shown here, was available in two models: the GM and the heavier-rated HM. Dodge’s venerable 236.6 CID L-head six provided the power, coupled to a choice of four and five-speed transmissions and an optional two-speed rear axle.
Chevrolet’s 5000 Series Cabovers for 1954 (shown both here and in the lead illustration at the top of this story) were available in three wheelbase lengths: 110, 134, and 158 inches. The influence of Harley Earl’s Styling Section can be seen even in the company’s heavy-duty trucks. Standard colors included Juniper Green, Mariner Blue, and Coppertone.
Introduced in 1957 and produced until 1990, the Ford C-Series cabover (1985 shown here) was one of America’s most popular commercial vehicles. A nearly infinite number of styles and drivetrain combinations were offered, and you can find many examples still working today. The Ford C-Series is well worth a feature story of its own—look for it soon here at Mac’s Motor City Garage.
With its slatted, full-width grille, this 1970 Oshkosh COE looks like a giant window-mount air conditioner. According to MCG’s crack research team, this is a Model E, built mainly for export to South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Founded in 1917 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the truck maker still thrives today, specializing in giant and extreme-duty trucks for fire, emergency, and military applications.
The GMC F-Model Tilt-Cab Cruiser, introduced in 1959, quickly picked up the nickname Crackerbox, and it’s easy to see why. The all-aluminum cab is only 48 inches deep from the front bumper to the back glass. When you see one running naked, it looks nearly two-dimensional, like an optical illusion. Available engines included the GMC 712 CID gasoline V12 and the range of 71-series Detroit Diesels. The Crackerbox was retired in 1969 when the Astro series was introduced.
to be continued…
As a member of said crack team, do I get money now? Just kidding, the quality info in this sight is all the payment I need,,,,,still, anyway, driving cab overs was a much different experience than looking at them. They required a certain “knack”. Some drivers loved them, others hated them. One could always spot a driver who was not used to a cab over, as the right wheels would be running down the shoulder, due to drivers seating position. They couldn’t be beat for backing in in tight quarters, as they could turn so much better than conventionals. I drove several cab overs, didn’t care for the Freightliner, but a IH 4070 Transtar was a cool truck. Shook like a trucker in a weigh station, but was a nice truck. A few more cab overs were, FWD and Marmon made a nice cab over too. Thanks to Hanks truck pictures and Russ McNeil for these.
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/macneil/vintage/frm_prints/p1d/unknown_fwd_coe.jpg
http://www.tenfourmagazine.com/misc/2009/Marmon2.jpg
Back in the late Sixties, before America really began to clean up after itself, I used to find all manner of old cars and trucks abandoned behind garages, gas stations and anywhere that had a few concealing bushes. It wasn’t unusual to find trucks from the twenties because they were in service for a long time and hadn’t been sitting around for decades. Cars were almost always post-war but I could kick myself for all the stuff that I left laying in a field somewhere until developers cleared it.
I particularly remember an old Mack AC (1916-1939) that sat under a bridge by the river. It really only needed a new coat of paint and some upholstery but I passed by almost every day for at least fifteen years before someone decided to build condos there.
Up to maybe 10 years ago, as you pulled into Newark Penn Station heading towards New York, you would see a heating oil dealer’s yard off to the right with an late-model AC Bulldog wedged in the back. Wonder whatever happened to that one…
Sorry for the detour but I’m looking for a 1960 Ford C600 tractor for a car hauler project. Any leads greatly appreciated.
~ very interesting history. looking forward to next installment.
Had to chuckle at the vintage FWD; apparently the styling department was fired shortly after this picture was taken because most FWD products still look pretty much like this one.
Also, Bill many of these trucks had very unique powertrains that most people don’t know about, including the V6/V12 GMC’s, the legendary GMC inline, the Ford “delivery van’ Flathead, and the Hemi’s that lived under the hood of Dodge trucks.
Keep up the great work!
If I may add a few tidbits about the FWD cabover, I’m not really sure what he’s weighing up there, as the steer axle isn’t on the scale, nor are the truck tandems. The name on the door held on with tape, he is clearly “trip leasing” the load. As an owner operator, most companies would get you out somewhere, and it was the driver’s duty to get back. You’d go to a truck stop, check the “load board”, and “cut” a load from a broker. Very shady, and the rates were pretty miserable, but it was better than running back empty, and they knew it. They’d give you cardboard signs with their company name, and you’d tape them to the door, and you’d ALWAYS get an advance, because, half the time, that’s all the money you’d see!