Look at what I have found.....

[blackdiesel]

Take a look at this folks. I didnt even know this combination existed! Only had time to take a couple pics. Note the deluxe cab trim, big back glass, v8 badge, and yes, that does indeed say hydromatic there on the fender! Didnt get to take a pic of the inside... But I can tell you it has the deluxe heater controls and factory radio. Floor boards, steps, cab corners, fenders, etc are all solid.

Its located somewhere in the centeral time zone (I'm not going to get to specific for obvious reasons....) and he said he drove it from colorado last year... towing 20k lbs! He raved and raved about how nice the transmission was and with it coupled to the two speed rear end it would cruise at 70 mph. Now i'm not sure about all of that being as how the intake has since been pulled off if it but I can sure tell you this, I am going back with cash in a week or two to try and buy it. He did price it to me but I think he was a little steep.

[tmoble]

wow, a keeper. lookit that rear cab corner. Az trucks have more rust than that.

[Big Block]

It's got a face only a mother could love! (I'm joking) Very COOL. What size V-8? Is it a Pontiac engine?

[dicer]

There were lots of those around. I used to have a hood for one, someone took an excavator to the cab and not much was good on it.

That seat looks a bit well used.

[thirdstreettito]

Oooo yeah!

[GRIMSS]

Cool find Brian.

[NW Task Force]

Cool rig! I am curious if GM built the automatic transmissions for the larger "hydramatic" trucks or if it was contracted out from another company?

[dwcsr]

They had what was called a Dual Range Hydramatic for heavy trucks. I worked on several that were in 1952 or 54 2.5T Army Trucks. Its a huge transmission by todays standards and not very kind on the spine when it shifted between ranges. They also used a variant in Tanks of that era. B&M started their racing transmission line using the car version of the dual range hydramatic. If I remember correctly GM owned the Hydramatic plant that developed it for all GM and some Ford and Chrysler cars

[Russell Ashley]

Very cool and unusual truck. I hope you get it and post up a restore thread on it.

DWCSR:
"developed it for all GM and some Ford and Chrysler cars"

Not doubting you here, just curious. Fords used some Borg-warner transmissions before developing their own, and I never heard of any Chrysler with a hydromatic. I'd be interested to know what vehicles it was. It would have definitely been better than the Fluid Drive for performance.

[blackdiesel]

It is indeed a pontiac motor. Not sure on the size. I'm not too up to date on that kind of stuff, im more of a Cummins man. That being said I find myself wondering how in depth i'd have to go to get the motor running again. He said all the parts were laying in the seat that had been removed. I didnt pay a whole lot of attention at the time because I just assumed I would scrap the drivetrain/chassis. I just want to see if the transmission would still shift out. Ultimately I would put the cab on a late model dodge diesel chassis and build a custom skirted flatbed. Maybe i'm putting my cart in front of my horse... I still havnt bought it yet hahaha

[Number 9]

Nice one with the big rear glass. I had a 55 chev forward control . Was a fun truck.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

Very cool and unusual truck. I hope you get it and post up a restore thread on it.

DWCSR:
"developed it for all GM and some Ford and Chrysler cars"

Not doubting you here, just curious. Fords used some Borg-warner transmissions before developing their own, and I never heard of any Chrysler with a hydromatic. I'd be interested to know what vehicles it was. It would have definitely been better than the Fluid Drive for performance.

Here are some years they they were used in the non GM vehicles. Sorry Chrysler was not one of the car they were in.

1951-1953 Hudson
1950-1953 Nash
1951 Frazer
1951-1955 Kaiser
1954-1955 Willys
1949-1954 Lincoln

After a fire in 53 that destroyed the Hydramatic plant lincoln went with the Borg Warner, The old Hydramatic was not nearly as good as the TurboHydramatic we know today.

[55dude]

i want to say the motor is 317 for 56' and 347 for 57'.

[Dan Bowles]

The guys at Hot Rod & Custom Chassis in Chicago were telling me about one of those beasts at Autorama Detroit this year. They had a sweet black cherry GMC in the basement (1/2 ton). I don't know much about the post-AD trucks but this one is awesome!

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by blackdiesel

Ultimately I would put the cab on a late model dodge diesel chassis and build a custom skirted flatbed.

I like the way you think
Great patina. Is that grille chrome?

[LEEVON]

You're going to need a dog to match that truck!

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

You're going to need a dog to match that truck!

They look like twins.

[MrDude_1]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

You're going to need a dog to match that truck!

LOL!!! I was thinking the same thing!

[blackdiesel]

LOL. I see how it is fellas, y'all think the truck is ugly! haha I'm just playing. I dunno guys, I think this would look perfect setting in the corner of my new shop thats being built but for 2k I could buy a whale of a compressor...

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

I like the way you think
Great patina. Is that grille chrome?

yes it actually is. some surface rust though.