All the luck in the world
The ’36 Chevy that defied the odds to live a life of leisure
A remarkable 1936 Chevrolet 1/2 Ton Pickup Truck will be sold at Miller & Miller’s June 15th auction of Automobilia, Petroliana & Advertising.
In the modern age it’s easy to look up the specifications for any vehicle. Your favourite website can tell you all the details classic car enthusiasts know by heart. What isn’t always apparent, however, is the story behind those few lucky vehicles that managed to survive history despite the many ways they could have been lost to time. Case in point: the 1936 Chevrolet Pickup Truck coming to auction at Miller & Miller on June 15.
Trucks were for work
To appreciate the journey of this exceptional 1936 Chevrolet truck (lot 219), we need to understand how trucks were perceived in that era. Though we now admire the classic lines of such a vehicle, it wasn’t built with style or comfort in mind. It was designed with one goal: work. With no real corrosion protection or high-end paint technology, the wear and tear would quickly add up. Sooner or later most trucks would be replaced and find their way to the scrapyard, or simply be abandoned in a field or barn.
Remember that extra-long warranty you received the last time you purchased a new vehicle? The 1936 Chevrolet truck offered only a 90-day warranty. After that you were on your own. This meant trucks needed to be built with simple parts and concepts because, for the most part, it was the farmers themselves who would have to crawl under them and repair anything that might break. Once the truck could be repaired no longer, it was clear the local metal yard would soon receive its next casualty.
Remarkably, this particular truck avoided the relentless workload that burdened most of its counterparts. A quick scan of its original paint, still vibrant and largely intact, tells the tale of a vehicle that lived a life of relative leisure. Unlike its peers, which were often left to rust in fields or sent to the scrapyard, this truck seems to have been shielded from the typical ravages of time.
Storage and Operation
Let’s also not forget that many of us in the modern age enjoy the luxury of a climate-controlled garage. Not so for the working man in the 1930s. A truck would be lucky to enjoy overnights in a barn, but for most folks it was simply left out in the elements at all times.
When in operation, the technological limitations of oil and gas also played a part in vehicle deterioration. Lower quality oil and gasoline meant more frequent breakdowns and repairs, and because the vehicle would spend a majority of its time on dirt and gravel roads loaded with potholes and other potential calamities, the operational lifespan was far below what we expect today. Most people of the era felt a car was completely worn out at 50,000 miles, and at that point it was somewhat common to simply abandon it at the side of the road.
With a mileage sitting just above 17,000 miles and in such excellent condition, we must conclude that something caused this particular Chevy truck to be protected from these harms. Perhaps it was a combination of factors, but the overall condition suggests protection from the elements for a substantial period. Truly an unusual situation for the era.
Second World War
Perhaps the most compelling danger of all was World War II. With vehicle production stopped from around February 1942 through late 1945, this 1936 Chevy would have represented one of the “next best options” to a new truck. Oil, rubber, and gasoline rationing would pressure truck owners to keep them in service longer but without regular maintenance. Wear and tear increased as odometers ran higher than ever before—all in the name of the war effort.
Despite the immense pressure to put more miles on work trucks, this vehicle somehow avoided that fate. While the exact story may never be known, the condition of the truck shows it navigated through one of the most challenging times in history with remarkable luck.
Preserved through a combination of good fortune and careful maintenance, the story of this exceptional 1936 Chevrolet truck continues. It has found its way down a highly improbable path and now that path will lead to the driveway of the successful bidder, its next owner.
By Kevin Nesbitt
Kevin Nesbitt is a historian and sits on the Board of Directors for the Durham Region Branch of the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada (ACCCC). He is also the proud owner of a 1941 Chevrolet.
SALE DETAILS:
Automobilia, Petroliana & Advertising
Featuring the Late Dr. Michael Francis Collection
June 15, 2024 | 9am EST