Floydflathead Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 I'm going to be starting a project a a truck I just obtained. I think these are relatively uncommon vehicles. Will post pictures soon of what I'm starting with, but can give a few details here. VIN 82370051 Model C-1-B6-108 Truck was originall a flathead six. It has what I think is a 1964 Plymouth V8 318 Wide block Poly engine in it. Are those engines worth preserving? At any rate, one of the other cars that I obtained had a 1954 Chrysler 331 Hemi engine, and my plan is to put that engine in the pickup truck. Any comments are of interest to me. I did notice the 55 Dodge pickup that sold at BJ recently, and this pickup has the sexier bed because it is the low one. Fairly rare, I never really have seen one of these around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydflathead Posted September 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Forgot to ask. What does the 108 at the end of the model number sequence mean? I couldn't find that online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55 Fargo Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 108 inch wheelbase just like mine, mine is a 55 dodge/fargo, 251 4 spd 3.23 rearend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydflathead Posted September 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Here are a couple of pictures of the truck. Originally a forest green color. The rear fender in this picture is damaged but oddly the passenger side is not. Otherwise, pretty straight pickup. Will get better pictures once I get into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydflathead Posted September 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 55 Fargo, I notice that your box is the tall one. Compare the two and you'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55 Fargo Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Yup, seen a few around. That box does appear to be an earlier year, as the top edge of the sides are on an angle, the 55s and later are straight edged. the box i have is from a 52, rear fenders 56, but I got a fargo tailgate, now those are mighty less plentiful than dodge stamped tailgates. Nice truck BTW, love the 55.56 trucks.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruffy49 Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 WA license plate? Where are you located? I'm in west TN now but I'm Pierce County WA born and raised... There is a low side 53 in my area that showed up at the weekly cruise in/car show. My 49 is a high side bed, going to get LRE style trim pieces on the bed and tailgate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydflathead Posted September 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Yes, I'm here in the Tri-Cities near Richland. Truck has been here many years, perhaps all its years. Any help I can get with info about this specific truck is appreciated. Is the box from an earlier year or would it be something that they used also in 55. I think this truck is perhaps a late 54 early 55 based on serial number. How rare are these things really? I see lots of Chevys and Fords from this era, but not many Dodges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruffy49 Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 (edited) Scarce, they made a fraction of the amount of Dodges that were made of Ford or Chevy. The only 55s harder to find are Studebaker and GMC (most current buyers switch the Chevy grills and tailgates). But you see more drug out of barns, sheds and fields/woods every day. Ford and Chevy prices are through the stratosphere, so Dodge is becoming the current "cheap project" craze. 39-71 Dodge prices are starting to climb, new stock replacement and new custom parts are hitting the market weekly. Doesn't help when they sell for stupid money on Barret-Jackson or Fast and Loud (Gas Monkey Garage rolling abortions). Couldn't tell you on the bed, I prefer the look/utility of the high sides. Edited September 9, 2013 by Scruffy49 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1952B3b23 Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Welcome "Floydflathead" and looks like you have an awesome project truck. I love the patina on your truck, are you going to keep it that way? -Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
townwagon Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 That bed and rear fenders were an option in 1954-55 so they are most likely original. Here is a link to a factory picture of one from the brochure. http://www.autolit.net/Graphics/0512/ws2299c.jpg Your model number breaks down as: C1 = 1954 to mid year 1955 production B = 1/2 ton 6 = 6 cyl engine. In this case a 218ci 23 inch long flat head six 108 = 108 inch wheel base Looking at your pictures the main thing that jumps out as a later addition is the badge on the front fender. That looks like a 1961-68 Dodge badge, but it is hard to be sure at that angle. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydflathead Posted September 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Eric, Do you mean the Dodge lettering on the front fender side? I'm not sure, but I think it looked correct. The Dodge letter on the front hood is held on with 3 screwws and appears damaged. I'm largely a Hudson guy, but have several Mopars. And I'm trying to finish complete resto on a 1967 Olds Toronado -- a fantastic car. 1960 Dodge Dart Seneca 4dr (Grandfather's only new car, and essentially untouched from new). 1946 Dodge 3W Business Coupe 1942 Desoto Custom Club Coupe 1940 Plymouth P9 Roadking Business Coupe This Dodge pickup came to me in another deal where I acquired 2 Hudsons. The Hudson pickup had a 54 Chrysler Hemi in it, and I want to put that in the Dodge. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruffy49 Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Hudson truck? And you're going to pull the Hemi? Must be a pile, because that would be a really entertaining combo if it is all decent. As much as I like my Grandpa's 49 B1B-108, in all honesty, I'd rather have the Terraplane he traded in on it... I had a couple 49 Hudsons when I was at WSU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydflathead Posted September 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Scruffy, I have a 41 1/2T Hudson truck and obtained this 47 Big Boy. I"m going back to stock on these. So the hemi comes out of the Hudson. Here's a few pics of my 41 Hudsons. attached. The Stepdown is a 1950 that I finished a few years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
townwagon Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 Yes I meant the Dodge lettering on the side. That should say "Job Rated" CHeck out this picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carphotosbyrichard/4687494241/ This truck has the wrong Dodge badge on the front and the headlight details look wrong, but the badge on the sides of the fender is correct. The truck in this picture has the correct Dodge badge and headlight/parking light treatments: http://www.collectorcarads.com/Picture1/craigslist6.jpg I hope that helps. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydflathead Posted September 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 Eric, Thanks, you bet all these posts and pictures help out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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