1956 Dodge aircraft refueling truck

Offered for sale is “Dino”, a 1956 Dodge 1 ton equipped as an aircraft refueling truck. This vehicle was originally owned by the “Texas Company” – we now know them as “Texaco” and it was used at the Ashland airport and then the Medford Jet Center for refueling gasoline-powered aircraft. It was purchased from the long-time owner, who assured us that the 40,000+ miles on the odometer is original miles, but there is no way to verify this.

It was last in service in 1987 and we purchased it in 2017 and spent two years, starting in 2018, on a complete ground up rebuild.

· The original 230 cubic inch “flathead” 6-cylinder engine was completely machined and rebuilt by Quality Machine Corporation in Central Point, Oregon.

· The fuel tank was cleaned and sealed using a kit from Eastwood Company; the carburetor is a rebuilt Carter E7T2 from Carburetor Exchange and the fuel pump & its flex hose are new items from DCM Classics, who also supplied many of the other parts used in the restoration.

· The electrics have been converted to 12 volt with a GM alternator and an all-new home built wiring harness. Turn signals were an option on these vehicles in 1956 and this one wasn’t equipped with them but they were added during the rebuild process. All the light units are new.

· All the ignition components (coil, plugs, wires, points, condenser, rotor) and the fan belt & hoses are new.

· The water pump is new; the radiator is a new aluminum unit and we added an overflow tank which was not original equipment.

· The seat was reupholstered in burgundy “tuck and roll” by Burns Upholstery in Eagle Point.

· The original “split rim” wheels were replaced with one-piece rims with new tires from Les Schwab.

· The 4-wheel drum brakes were completely overhauled with all new master cylinder, wheel cylinders, wheel bearings, plumbing and hardware.

· The 4-speed manual transmission and the rear differential were both inspected and resealed.

· The windshield is original; all other windows are new tempered glass and all weatherstripping was replaced.

· The front shock absorbers were replaced (there are no shock absorbers on the rear axle).

· The paint is Martin Senour 2K urethane enamel and the colors are Ford Wimbledon White, Ford Torch Red and John Deere Green, over Martin Senour 2K urethane primer. The color scheme and decals were selected simply because we like the Dinosaur logo.

· The interior of the tank is rusty, and no attempt was made to clean it.

· The vehicle is currently registered with the State of Oregon as an Antique Vehicle, which means that there are no annual or biennial registration fees required.

Included with the vehicle are a copy of the factory shop manual on CD and some Sinclair memorabilia – an original Sinclair forecourt uniform shirt and a mesh ball cap, and a book showing the entire rebuild process.