This web site is dedicated to the documentation of the 1941 Chevrolet COE (Cab Over Engine) Truck One, built for the movie Jeepers Creepers by the movie studio. The truck is now owned by Tom and Aimii and is affectionately known as “JC”.

Let me start by defining the term ‘Truck One’. This truck was the first of three trucks built for the movie Jeepers Creepers in early 2001. It served as a prototype for the second and third movie trucks. I refer to it as Truck One because it was the first Creeper Truck ever built. It received very little, if any screen time.

I have placed two pictures here to identify and confirm authenticity. The picture on the left is the truck sitting in the production studio in Orlando, Florida in 2001. The second picture was taken upon delivery in California, October of 2008. There are many identifying features.

Identifying similarities common to both: Top running lights, wiper arm without blade, antenna with an arch to it, holes in the body next to antenna, dents in hood, wide upper louver space in hood, door ajar because it does not latch, arch in fender, same tire, GMC wheels Two NMC decals on drivers door and although hard to see, two aftermarket brackets on the frame, common to both trucks.

It appears, but is yet to be confirmed, that this truck served as a prototype in several different areas of production. It helped serve as a source for color and distress choices. As can be seen in the pictures, this truck was painted factory green and had splotches of red primer, glazing putty and rust on it. These became the recognizable features of the final Creeper Truck design.

It also had the three running lights across the top of the cab originally, which I believe also influenced the final truck design as they had to be added to the second and third trucks.

Finally, this truck has two ‘NMC’ stickers on the drivers door, one large, and one smaller. I originally thought these were filler marks covering mirror holes. They are in fact vintage stickers. These were replicated on the second and third trucks so all of the trucks would match.

There are differences among the trucks, each with it’s own character. This particular truck has a unique over-the-cab extension, not shared by the other two trucks. It is smaller than the final design decided upon. I believe the design was changed for truck’s 2 and 3, to better accommodate a previously deleted ending to JC1.

There is no evidence as to whether this truck was used in filming or not. Tim Glace, owner of the second truck created for the movie, believes this truck was used for filming at the church set. It is unclear at this time if that is the case, and that information may never be available.

I plan to replace the factory motor and transmission with a stroked, supercharged 350 (388 stroked) backed by an overdrive HD automatic. Everything will be restored visually to match the movie and it should easily light up the old 20’s.

I would like to hear your thoughts and comments. I will do my best to share progress with all of the Creeper Truck fans out there. Can’t wait for JC3 and more footage of the Creepers Truck!

Email: tom@thecreepertruck.com

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