2008 Restoration/Deep Paint/216ci Inline 6-Cylinder/Oak Lined Bed

1946 Chevrolet Pickup

The Chevrolet AK Series truck was a light duty truck sold under the Chevrolet brand, with production beginning in 1941 until 1947. It used the GM A platform, shared with the Chevrolet Deluxe. The AK series was also branded and sold at GMC locations, with the primary visual difference being the Chevrolet had vertical bars in the grille, while the GMC had horizontal bars. The 1941-45 GMC models were sold as C-Series and became the E-Series for the 1946 and 1947 model years (CC-Series / EC-Series for the conventional cab models and CF-Series / EF-Series for the COE ones).

A carry over design from pre-WWII known as the Interim Series, restored in 2008 and still showing well reflecting the quality of the work performed this truck with a stunning color combination, straight steel, and eye-catching chrome grille, this truck is more comfortable taking you to the local country club, than hauling hay to the barn.

Exterior
With red cab, hood and bed sides and contrasting black fenders, running boards and large headlights, fronted by a fascinating nickel plated chrome horizontal and vertical bar integrated grille, this truck drips with 1940's design. Chrome and trim are all beautiful and nearly better than new from the factory. Matching body color red wheels are adorned with Chevrolet logo moon style polished chrome hubcaps, and black sidewall tires. A newly installed wonderfully stained oak wood bed is noted and none of it has a mark on it. A shiny chrome rear bumper, also nickel plated, provides the backdrop for the rear of this hauler. Hanging proudly above is an embossed Chevrolet tailgate and to either side we see small taillights sitting on top of black stalks.

Interior
Body matching red metal sprays the metal door panels, and dash. Surrounded by highly polished chrome, a white background rectangular form houses the simple red numbered gauge cluster in front of the huge black steering wheel. A few coffee colored bakelite knobs are seen within the dash. Providing room for 3 is an upgraded tuck and roll black vinyl seat that follows the body color motif and incorporates red stripes on both the driver's and passenger's cushions. A black cardboard headliner, and sprayed red panels make up the interior roof and rear wall of the cab. Utilitarian rubber in black covers the floors.

Drivetrain
Opening either side of the center hinged hood, we can see a perfectly restored in blue 216ci inline 6-cylinder popper with a 1-barrel carburetor lurking under an oil bath air cleaner. A 3-speed manual transmission is attached to the rear of the I6 and a rear axle weighing in with a 3.54 ratio carries this Interim Series down the road. All wonderfully restored and looking just as good as the day it was delivered to its 1st owner.
Undercarriage
Due to the restoration quality, there are absolutely no faults to remark about underneath, just minor road dirt. The strong black frame provides the backbone for the black painted suspension, which is a leaf spring set up for both the front and rear. The black continues with solid flooring, running boards and we see the same quality of staining work performed on the underside bed boards as seen above. Drum brakes give us the stopping power on all 4 corners and a single stock style exhaust system handles spent fossil removal effectively.

Drive-Ability
A fine and nicely preserved working truck is always a pleasure to drive, as it has a certain charm that cannot be replicated by any new vehicle and that always brings a smile to my face. This truck did not disappoint on the performance front with smooth acceleration, good easy shifting, and it got me down the road, however, during braking we did note a hard pull to the right. All functions were in working order save for the horn not tooting.
A vintage beautifully designed pickup, in close to Concours condition, near perfect paint, an overall great restoration, has literally made a silk purse out of a sow's ear. “With a cluck cluck here and a moo moo there” I'll see you at the country club! It is now ready for “pickup” at the Classic Auto Mall.