1938 Chevrolet Truck Future Street Rod

Just picked another cab today. Its a 38?
Figuring on maybe extra parts for my on going
1936. Some of the parts included a cab, doors, hood,
fuel tank, door panels, rear wind., misc. interior panels.
No frame or fenders
Hmmmm what to do?

IMHO
Its a little rough around the edges. Old metal is
hard to find, let alone in good shape.
So begins the search for other ones and piece
together the best of the worst.
Hmmmm...it took me 18 years for the 36..
It was worth it as "no thru rust".
Hopefully it will take less time for the 38?
Or maybe a 1937 37 maybe coming soon and
maybe a 36/37/38 is together, whatever combo

Let me know if ya got parts...

 

good score cab looks pretty solid in the photos , good luck on the parts search

 

Whats a Street Rod ?

 

Cab is definitely a 1937 or 1938. The only thing different other than being all metal is the bottom of the cowl area is slighty different. The bead there stops abruptly. I think your 36 fenders should be ok . I made my lower cowl area to look like a 36 because my project came without fenders . Here is a old pic...

 

There are other differences, in the 36 Chev/GMC cab compared to the 37/37 Chev/GMC pu cab. The bottom of the cowl is only one.

 

Nice looking cab Fellow !!!!.Have fun with it !!!

 

Actually most of the lowers all around require extensive work

 

Ok...thanks for the info....

 

Jarhead
Good job. Can't wait to see the whole truck

 

My recent addition to the garage has no frame or suspension.
Would like to start a low cost build. What frame would you suggest and why?

Any Pics, comments, posts or threads out there with info on using a corvette frame for these old cabs?

 

I would use the frame from the 36 you have unless you are building two separate trucks...

 

I need a new frame for the 38. Wanna keep the current setup for the 36.
The wheelbase is different between the years. Not by much.

 

Very cool looking body you do not see used very often! Keep up the hard work.

 

Ok......I know lawman here used a early 50's chevy pickup frame on his grandsons 1938 chevy truck....

 

Nice score, that cab is 36-38.. 36 had wood in the jams, supports.. went all steel support 37-38.. That is a 37 hood.. 37 grille and grille shell fits that hood only.. If you still have the ID tag on the firewall under the hood, you could look up the code.. It tells the production # year made and location.. 37-38 running boards, fenders and cab are universal.. 36 cab only.. 36-38 hoods, and grilles/ and grille shells all different.. websites for parts..www.americanclassic.com www.chevsofthe40s.com www.pros-pick.com for bed and parts.. plenty of other sites as well.. Good luck on a great find

 

Looks like a '38 hood to me the '37 hood sides only had two large sized louvers in it where as the 38' had the 3 smaller ones like in the picture.

 

Nice cab! The hood is a '38 as it has the taper further back (where it covers the grill) than the '37, the sides are also '38.....nice looking parts...

Love those era Chev trucks, I've had (3) and want more!
Tom

 

A street rod is what every rodder I know called his street driven hot rod until he got to the HAMB and decided he'd be a lot cooler if he started calling his car a hot rod.

 

Nice find there. I had a 37 Chevy truck, still miss it after selling it about 10 years ago.

I think your frame options are pretty open as long as the width and wheelbase are close. Obviously a 37-46 truck frame would be the best as it is essentially the same cab. 37-38 fenders are the same, and good condition steel ones are hard to find. They do make fiberglass if you have to go that route. Truck is different than car, even though similar styling.

 

Anybody got lower patch panels? Need complete all around ....

 

good score cab looks pretty solid in the photos

 

Had a similar situation with a couple of 37 Chevy trucks and extra parts in the late 80's. My design solution was to create a Kingcab pickup. Got creative with suicide doors, jumpseats in the cab, trunk in the bed and a complete S-10 chassis with small block Chevy V8. Turned out to be a great ride. Spent so much time in it I never gave it a real paint job and upholstry.
This fall I made a hard decision to part with the truck. It now lives in Pa. and maybe might get that paint job and upholstry work it deserves.
Good luck and have fun with your build.

 

Any 38 pics out there?

 

Google 1938 Chevrolt truck and click on the images tab you will have all the pictures you need.

 

Sorry, I had a small pic at the time of your post.. Indeed everyone is right.. That is a 38 hood.. The 37s only have 2 louvers on the sides similar to your 36.. Good luck on your build.. Keep your eye out on Ebay as well.. I have seen patch panels and parts from time to time..

 

'37 cabs the fuel fill was under the seat. '38 had the fill come through the body on the passenger side. nice cab, way better than the one i started with.

 

Keep a eye on this Ebayer. He is always parting 30's and 40's chevy trucks...
http://stores.ebay.com/Hops-Chop-Shop-Vintage

 

Does anyone have or know of replcement steel for the cab?
Lower cowls
back of cab
door bottoms

 

Btt

 

Any patches out there?
Windshield?