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1948 Dodge Pilothouse B-Series Pickup

Make: Dodge
Model: Other Pickups
Type: Pilothouse cab pickup
Trim: B-Series
Year: 1948
Mileage: 100
VIN: 8212201
Color: white and black
Engine: Chevy 350
Cylinders: 8
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: white and black
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title: Clear
Item location: Simi Valley, California, United States
Extras

Listed by
Private seller
Enquire

Description of 1948 Dodge Other Pickups B-Series

For sale is a rebuilt 1948 Dodge Pickup. I purchased the truck in 1999 as a bucket of rust, and embarked on a long project of rebuilding it. My intention was to restore it, and I learned that Dodge parts are hard to come by (compared to Ford and Chevy) and rebuilt it into a hot rod instead. Every functioning part has been rebuilt or replaced, and the only original Dodge parts are the metal body shell and frame, which have been thoroughly sandblasted, sanded, treated with metal conditioner, primed and painted. Everything else has been replaced. The front end suspension is from a Ford Mustang II. I used a 1984 Chevy Caprice as a "parts car" and used its rear suspension, transmission, driveline, and steering column. The engine is a Chevrolet stock 350 cc crate motor, purchased new at a GMC dealership, and has 100 miles on it. The radiator has two fans and was installed by a mechanic friend of mine, and is made for custom applications. The muffler was installed by a muffler shop and has a cool-sounding deep rumble. The interior was done by a professional shop. All mechanical work was done by professional shops, as well as the body work. The original tailgate was damaged and I found a Chevy tailgate of the same size, so it's stamped as a Chevrolet on the tailgate. I have invested well over $20,000 into it, and I realize it would take some time to find the right buyer to pay that kind of money, although some local collectors told me I could get more since Dodge trucks of this era are so rare. I am being reassigned to Quantico, Virginia with work, and am forced to immediately depart with this vintage truck.
I've often wondered the history of this truck, and like to think it was perhaps originally purchased by a WWII vet. It has a lot of history, and was originally billed as the "Pilot House Cab" by Dodge for having a lot of room in the cab, and a take off from war planes. At the time, the trucks were offered in five colors but the bed was always black. I've copied that original thought and painted the bed black as well. If you're interested in the turck, I'll relate the interesting story of how I acquired it.
I purchased it from a private seller in Chaparral, New Mexico in 1999, where the former owner said it sat in the desert for about 20 years. When I went to register it, the DMV would not accept it as having 100 miles for its age, so we decided on 100,000 miles as a random number. It's registered in Arizona and has a clean title. The truck is currently located in Simi Valley, California. This truck has been a labor of love, as my children grew up with this always sitting in the garage. They've had great memories of cruising around town in it, and I regret having to sell it, but it's time for the next chapter of its history to be written by a new owner. The truck is also for sale locally, and I reserve the right to sell it and withdraw the Ebay ad. Please email me with any questions, and thank you for your interest.