Tag Archives: Pickup

Anti Rattle Fastening – Chevrolet AK Pickup

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In 1941 Chevrolet introduced the AK series pickups to compete with the likes of the Prow Front Fords and Job Related Dodges.

Chevolet AK Pickup, Silverstone Classic

AK series trucks were related to but more substantial than the Chevrolet AG series sedan delivery and pickup vehicles sharing a 90 hp 216 cui straight 6 engine option.

Chevolet AK Pickup, Silverstone Classic

The AK was also offered with a Load Master six cylinder 93 hp 235 cui motor that offered substantially more torque.

Chevolet AK Pickup, Silverstone Classic

The windscreen on the AK model could be cranked open and ordered with an optional second windscreen wiper, the only other option was a heater.

Chevolet AK Pickup, Silverstone Classic.

Sales literature noted that the AK’s heavily reinforced all steel tailgate was fitted with an “anti rattle fastening”. The AK series was built between 1941 and 1947, there are no official details available on the age of the vehicle see here at the time of writing.

Thanks for joining me on this “Anti Rattle Fastening” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Bonus Built – Ford F1 1/2 Ton Pickup

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In 1948 Ford introduced the new F Series pickups that were built on dedicated, Bonus Built, pickup chassis rather than the hitherto strengthend car chassis.

Ford F1 Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The F1 seen here is a 1949 F1 half ton pickup with a single piece windscreen / windshield and integrated in to the wings / fenders headlights.

Ford F1 Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

This one is fitted with the optional passenger side windscreen wiper, other options included foot plunger operated windscreen washer, passenger side sun visor and passenger side tail light !

Ford F1 Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

First Generation F1’s were powered either by a 95 hp flathead straight 6 or 100 hp flathead V8, the 4.2 litre / 256 cui quoted for today’s featured pick up suggests something more contemporary than a regular flathead might be lurking under the hood.

Ford F1 Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Three different transmissions were available for the First Generation F1, 3 speed light duty, 3 speed heavy duty or 4 speed.

Ford F1 Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The F1 came with a 6 1/2 foot bed or 4 door panel body.

Ford F1 Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

First Generation F1’s were assembled at Dearborn and Highland Park MI, Edison NJ, Long Beach CA, Norfolk Assembley VI, St Paul MN, St Louis MO, and Hapeville GA. First Generation F1’s were face lifted in 1950 and remained in production until 1952.

Thanks for joining me on this “Bonus Built” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Prow Front – Ford Prow Front 1/2 Ton Pickup

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1n 1937 Ford introduced it new series of “Prow Front” full size models to replace the Ford 48 Series.

Ford Pickup, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County Raceway

Ford’s chief designer E.T. “Bob” Gregorie passed the styling features of the Prow Front full sized Fords to the half ton pickups that were new for 1940/41.

Ford Pickup, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County Raceway

Power options for the Prow Front pick ups included 60, 90 or 95 hp flathead Ford V8 with the 60hp being replaced by a 1996 cc / 120 cui four cylinder sourced from the Ford 6N tractor midway through 1941.

Ford Pickup, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County Raceway

This particular pickup seen at the Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway, is registered with a 4500 cc / 274 cui motor of unknown origin.

Ford Pickup, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County Raceway

The chassis of the Prow Front Pickups and Cars are almost identical except the commercial application has the frame stamped out of heavier gauge steel. The pickup rode on trans leaf springs both front and rear. At an additional cost the prow front 1/2 tons could be ordered with pin striped body panels.

Ford Pickup, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County Raceway

70,190 of these 1941 Ford 1/2 ton pickups were built which would have cost of the order of US$ 650 new.

Thanks for joining me on this “Prow Front” Edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Hydraulic Brakes – Ford One Ton Pick Up

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1939 saw Ford introduce numerous changes to it’s pickup range including the introduction of hydraulic brakes which most manufacturers had adopted many years earlier.

Ford 1 Ton Pickup, Shakespeare County Speedway

From the front the ’38 Ford Pickup’s were identifiable by the new oval grill, this feature was carried over into 1939. It would appear the grill on this vehicle is a ’38 type distinguished by the V8 logo below the mascot which doubles as the bonnet and hood release. The short base of the ornament on this vehicle indicates that it too is a ’38 item.

Ford 1 Ton Pickup, Shakespeare County Speedway

The brake master cylinder can be clearly seen attached to the front bulkhead on this particular vehicle.

Ford 1 Ton Pickup, Shakespeare County Speedway

Gone is the original 85 hp flat head V8 the motor under the bonnet / hood here is officially quoted as being 5.3 litres / 323 cui.

Ford 1 Ton Pickup, Shakespeare County Speedway

1938 saw the introduction of the 1 ton pick up to partly fill the gap between the 1 1/2 ton and half ton market segments in 1939 saw the introduction of the 3/4 ton size to cover all the pickup size bases.

Ford 1 Ton Pickup, Shakespeare County Speedway

By 1939 Ford was offering it’s truck in seven different colours, not sure if canary yellow would have been one of them but if you do please chime in below.

Ford 1 Ton Pickup, Shakespeare County Speedway

Amongst the options offered to ’39 Ford pickup customers were radio, heater, and passenger side windscreen wiper.

Thanks for joining me on this “Hydraulic Brakes” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Pre Spin Off – Dodge Ram Pace Truck

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In late 2008 Dodge launched it’s forth generation (DS/DJ) Ram pickups, like the trend setting second (BR/BE) and third (DR/DH/D1/DC/DM) generation Ram pickups the big rig styling theme was kept and subtly updated.

Dodge Ram, Re/Max 250, Talladega, Superspeedway

As well as serving as pace truck the Dodge Ram above also served as camera truck as the field for the ARCA RE/MAX 250 prepared to leave pit road on the Friday before the Spring 2009 Aarons 499.

Dodge Ram, Aarons 499, Talladega, Superspeedway

Power options ranged from 215 hp 3.7 litre / 226 cui PowerTech V6 to 390 hp 5.7 litre / 345 cui cui Hemi V8 with a 350 hp Cummins Diesel added in 2010. The body options were one 2 door and three 4 door options plus the Dually on the heaviest trucks in the range. 2 or 4 wheel drive could also be specified across the range.

Dodge Ram, Aarons 499, Talladega, Superspeedwayadega, Superspeedway

Midway through 2009 Dodge owners Chrysler filed under Chapter 11 and entered into a deal with FIAT which saw the Dodge brand emerge as an automobile only brand and spun Ram spun off as a Pickup and Commercial Vehicle only brand, making the Aarons 499 Dodge pace truck seen here at Talladega one of the last to be sold under the Dodge Ram brand name.

The Pace truck above is seen in front of the #39 and #88 Chevrolets of Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt JR prior to the final restart of the Aarons 499, the finish of which will be best remembered for the incident between Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski which saw Keslowski take his maiden Sprint Cup win and Edwards bounce of the retaining fence so that he ended up crossing the line on foot classified 24th. Newman who was caught in the fracas which ensued crossed in third behind an unscathed Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Thanks for joining me on this “Pre Spin Off” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Third Generation Friend – Dodge Dakota R/T

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The original Dodge Dakota (Sioux for friend) was a mid size pickup truck, less than half ton, launched in 1987, an upgraded second generation was launched in 1991.

Dodge Dakota R/T, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County, Raceway,

The third generation Dakota’s were launched in in 1997 drawing heavily on the big rig look of the full size Dodge Ram styling first seen in 1994.

Dodge Dakota R/T, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County, Raceway,

In 1998 a sports orientated R/T version of the Dakota was announced with a 250hp 5.9 litre / 360 cui Magnum V8 which was coupled with a heavy duty 46RE 4 speed automatic transmission. Additional R/T goodies included performance axle, cast aluminum wheels, limited slip differential, sport suspension and steering, uprated brakes, performance exhaust, monotone paint and bucket seats in the cab.

Dodge Dakota R/T, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County, Raceway,

In 2000, the year the vehicle seen here at Shakespeare County Raceway was built, the Dodge Dakota was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award coming in second. The 4th generation Ram Dakota was launched in 2009 and the model was subsequently completely discontinued in 2011.

Thanks for joining me on this “Third Generation Friend” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Big Rig Look – Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab

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After extensive customer research chief designer Philip E Payne took a gamble and went with the big rig look for the second generation (BR) Dodge Rams launched in 1994. He knew that by pandering to the majority of his clients he might loose a few of those who preferred softer styling.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The Big Rig look gave the new range of Dodge Ram’s instant recognition that was quite distinctive form the main rivals built by General Motors and Ford, and the look is even more distinctive on this ’95 1500 extended cab with the bug deflectors and sun shield, the only thing missing are the christmas tree lights usually found on big rigs.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The second generation Dodge Rams were powered by the same motors as the first series this one, seen at last year’s Avenue Drivers Club meeting in June, is powered by a top of the 1500 range 230 hp 5.9 litre / 360 cui Magnum V8.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Second Generation Rams were available in 1500 half ton, 2500 3/4 ton and 3500 dually one ton forms. The 2500 3/4 ton and 3500 one ton was available with a 8 litre / 488 cui V10 that was used as the basis for the Dodge Viper sports cars.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Ram body options included 2 door, 2 door extended cab and from 1998 Quad Cab 4 door extended cab with front opening “suicide’ doors. Special attention was given to the storage area’s inside the cab with a large glovebox, central armrest storage and further storage space behind the seats.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

1500 Rams could be ordered with either 6′ or 8′ beds. THis truck will have been fitted with an A518 four speed automatic transmission a descendant of the TorqueFlight 3 speed automatic transmission first seen in 1956.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The 1996 film Twister featured a similar 3/4 ton Ram 2500 with club cab on the back to the one seen here, sadly it was destroyed near the end of the story nearly bringing some pick up truck fans to tears.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Philip E Payne’s gamble with the big rig look paid off handsomely as Dodge went from it’s traditional third spot in truck sales behind Ford and General Motors to first in three years and stayed at the top from 1996 to 1999 by which time both Ford and GM had caught up with the big rig look.

Thanks for joining me on this “Big Rig Look” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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