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In 1941, Chevrolet made trucks for many different services. Chevrolet cabover trucks were shipped in three different wheel-bases. Usually utility trucks were sold as cab and frames only, ready to receive the aftermarket bed of the new owners choice. This truck (Truck 1) was purchased that way and a flat bed was added to prepare this truck to haul hay. Several brackets were also added to the frame to allow for a hay loader to attach to the truck's frame, saving the farmer a lot of time and money. The picture below is a good example of how this truck spent much of it's working life.
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Movie History
The 1941 Chevrolet COE arrived at the studio as a 1.5 ton truck with a 158” wheelbase. With the flatbed removed, it was ready to be modified into the Creeper's Truck. The wheelbase was shortened by approximately 25 inches to match another of the three trucks to be used. The box on the back was constructed to match Steven Legler’s rendering as closely as possible, using 2 inch square tubing and sheet metal.
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Brad Parker's original concept drawing (lower left). Steven Legler's refined product sketches (upper right). |
The notable front bumper was also constructed at this time. The box was then distressed to match the cab. The effects crew did a fantastic job replicating the original surface of 60 year old Chevy. It's hard to tell what are real rust and scratches, and what are fake. No mechanical operations were performed to this truck. It still had the original 6 cylinder engine and 4 speed transmission at the time of our purchase. It was a static display only for the movie, and did not run.
Up For Sale
In September of 2008, the prototype truck went up for sale on eBay. For several years, I had wanted either to buy a Creeper Truck or to make one, so I watched eBay regularly. Before I could get to eBay one morning, I had an email from Tim Glace telling me to get my checkbook ready. I knew what had to be done and Aimii, my wife, was very supportive.
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John D of Ocala Florida, just a few miles from where the movie was filmed, had decided to list the truck. It needed work, but I was up to the challenge.
One week later, we were the winning bidders at $4559... and what a bargain. I was so pleased that I didn't have to design and construct the box and front bumper. Even better, I had one of the REAL trucks! I requested some pictures of the departure from Florida and John’s daughter went above and beyond. View the video on You Tube here.
Home
About one month later, the truck arrived in California, courtesy of Kiwi Karriers, safe and sound and just in time for Halloween! (Be sure to check out our Halloween pictures on the Photos page!)
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Top Left:
JC truck on the car carrier headed to a new home. |
We followed it home for the last 20 miles and shot some footage. View our You Tube video here!
I have to take a moment and tell you what a great, family-owned company Kiwi Karriers is. They were the best priced shipping company of the 10 shipping companies I looked into and treated me as though I was part of their family. I wouldn't consider any other shipper from this point forward. Truly the best of the best.
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