pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

I know I've seen a photo of this on the Barn but can't find it with the search function. Was this a conversion kit, or factory option? Is there a specific name for this setup?


Thanks,


Adam

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

A lot of coupes and other cars were "converted" to pick ups during WWII when trucks weren't available. The ones I've seen photos of were home made. There may have been kits available. If so I'm sure someone will provide info on them. On a similar note here is a photo of a Pierce Arrow converted into a tow truck. Back in the day necessity was the mother of invention.

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

Google 1937 Ford Coupe with pickup box

Yes, it was a limited time option and there was a write up about it in the Early Ford V-8 Club's magazine the V-8 TIMES several years ago,

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

Looks like they put ‘em in T’s too……. Mark

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

Look on the HAMB under Kurt's Puddle Jumper - 31 Model A extended cab

Al Hook

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

This was done to all makes and models of vehicles and wasn't an unheard practice prior to WW2. The Grapes of Wrath (1939) describes such a conversion.

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

With gas rationing during the War I think you were able to get more for a truck.
Paul in CT

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

In Australia they were called Utes.

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

Thanks for all the responses, the '37 coupe with the pickup box in the trunk was specifically what I was thinking about. This was prompted by a friend sending me this post on a photo forum of a '36 Chevy with this type of box:


https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-725913-1.html


I think these are a bit different from an Australian Ute, which was engineered as a complete car/pickup vehicle (like the later-day Ford Ranchero)


Adam

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

Mifflinburg made a "slip on body" for cars. There is a picture of one in the Ford Truck since 1905 book. It was 60" x 32" x 13" and could be fitted to coupe or roadster. The picture in the book is on a 1930 roadster.

In 1937 only Ford offered the Type 78-830 Pickup Box for the Coupe body. It measured 64" x 33" x 12". It is described as a scaled-down 1/2 ton cargo body that slipped into the luggage compartment of the coupe (Type 78-770-A). The picture and information was also found in the Ford Truck Since 1905 book.

Patrick

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

I have one of the '37 Coupe with a pickup box. I wrote the article for V8 Times several years back hoping to find others that my be out there. I have only heard of one other of these and it is in Hawaii. They are very rare and unique. I agree that they were made by modifying a standard box and adding a few additional filler pieces. I also have a copy of the original blueprints for the box from the Ford archives.

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

1937 Ford Coupe with Factory Pickup Box >
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/htcAA...KPp/s-l300.jpg

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

V8fordman that's very cool; would you post a picture of your car?


Adam

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1642651524
1937 Ford Coupe with added Pick-up Box.

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1642734732

It seems that Ford were not the only ones to offer an added Pickup Box to a Coupe.
Take this South African 1953 Chevrolet One-Fifty Coupe Pickup

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

Mercman thank you for those neat photos


Adam

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

You would have to look at the V8 Times article to see what it looked like before I put it away for storage before restoration. It's in line, but finishing the pickup in my avatar and a convertible sedan is ahead of it. (There's also a couple of muscle cars in the mix)

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1642829868

1937 Ford Coupe with added Pick-Up Box

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1642917336

Advertisement for the 1936 Chevrolet Coupe Pickup.
Question - From this, it appears that the 1937 Ford Coupe Pickup was not the first with this idea?

Re: pickup-like box in trunk of a 30's coupe
 

Interesting. The rear bumper on the Ford is virtually useless. The Chev one extends beyond the box.

GB