1940 Dodge Dodgebrothers Silver Metallic

Built as a tow vehicle for a vintage Airstream trailer, this 1940 “COE” (Cab ne) is a one-off hauler built on a 1987 Chevrolet 1-ton pickup chassis and featuring a custom 10-foot bed. The powertrain includes a Chevy small-block V8 and four-speed automatic transmission, while additional features include a custom-trimmed interior with air conditioning, three-point seat belts, and more. The truck is set up for trailering, with a transmission cooler, towing package, and trailer brake system. “It was built to be a driver,” says the seller, who purchased the truck in its completed form and also notes there are approximately 14,000 miles on the build. 

Per the seller, the powertrain includes a Chevrolet 5.7-liter OHV V8 that’s backed by a 700R-4 four-speed automatic transmission. The engine is carbureted and has headers flowing into a dual-exhaust system. The fuel system is augmented with an electric fuel pump and the seller says the engine starts easily, after the pump primes for a few seconds, and runs well, with no smoke. It is also said to “start right up” when warm. The four-speed overdrive transmission is also said to shift well. The seller notes some weeping at the transmission pan, but “no leaks or drips on the concrete.”  

The exterior is a mix of restoration on the cab and a custom fabrication for the 10-foot-long bed. The cab is stock appearing, but the door handles have been removed and the doors are opened with electrically actuated “poppers.” The 10-foot bed has a 2-foot long aluminum storage box, leaving 8 feet of usage cargo space. It has also been sprayed with bed liner. The truck’s silver paintwork is said by the seller to be “very nice,’ but shows some rock chips on the rear fender and some chips on the tailgate’s lower hinge area. There is also a crack in the paint on the driver’s door, where the door handle was originally located, and there are also small cracks in the finish where the headlights meet the front fenders. All the glass and seals are said to be in great shape and the windows are tinted. All the exterior lights are noted to be in working order. The windshield wiper arms have been removed, because they “parked” midway across the windshield. 

The cab has been customized with a pair of vinyl-trimmed seats, a center console, three-point seat belts, a custom instrument panel, aftermarket gauges, a tilting steering column, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, custom carpeting, and a ntage Air climate system with air conditioning. The trailer brake controller is also mounted on the bottom of the dashboard and there’s an older Jensen CD head unit. All features and systems are said to be in working order, but the seller notes the radio and sound system are “subpar.” Additionally, the seller notes the truck has interior door releases, as well as a hidden manual release under the side steps. There’s reportedly a new battery located behind the passenger seat. The truck has power windows, but the passenger window’s performance is “slow and struggles,” notes the seller. 

The chassis, suspension, and brakes are believed to be essentially stock for the Chevy 1-ton foundation, but there is a custom driveshaft. The seller notes the shocks, brakes, and power steering “appear to be in good shape, with no driving issues,” although the rear drum brakes are said to be “a little touchy” when there’s no weight on the rear of the truck. The COE is said to drive well, rolling on Toyo front tires and Michelin rear tires, with all mounted on older gle chrome wheels. The tires’ ages are unknown and their DOT date codes are not visible in the photos. An inspection is recommended prior to highway driving. The seller also notes the front tires show greater wear than the rears. 

The seller states that this vehicle will be sold on a clean fornia title in his name. It’s a 1940 COE with its cab and custom pickup bed mounted on a 1987 Chevy 1-ton chassis. It has attention-grabbing style, but was built for the long haul, with a towing package and supporting equipment intended for towing. In that regard it’s a vintage-appearing workhorse with contemporary updates.