Segment Three: 1933 to 1935 Glamour Pickups
Author: Don Bunn
The 1933 Dodge Commercial Express (pickup) sold
for only $450 FOB Detroit. Its load compartment was only 62 3/4-inches
long, 45-inches wide and 15 1/2-inches high to the top of the flareboards.
It was powered by the 70 horsepower 190 cubic inch L-head six. All
Commercial Cars were equipped with a 3-speed transmission. On the
right is a 1 1/2-ton Dodge chassis cab with a beer delivery body.
(Photo: DaimlerChrysler)
We
have to admire Mr. Chrysler simply for the fact that his company survived
until 1933. Chrysler Corporation was then only eight years old and
half of that time occurred during the Depression years. Mr. Chrysler
was always the optimist and he continued to spend for research and
development even when the economy looked its bleakest. The Depression
hit its lowest level in 1932, total truck production was about half
of what had been produced in 1931, which in itself was a disaster.
The 1933 Dodge
Commercial Sedan sold for $555 retail FOB Detroit. The Commercial
Sedan was a two-door Dodge Sedan with a large door cut in back,
with blanked out rear side windows and the rear wheel removed. Its
drivetrain was the same as the pickup's. Note its rear-hinged "suicide
doors." Its load compartment was 56 1/2 inches long. (Photo:
DaimlerChrysler)
Dodge's famous
double level Commercial Panel was an industry exclusive. Dodge built
this model from 1933 to 1938. Its retail price in 1933 was $540
FOB Detroit. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler.
Chrysler
launched a modern re-engineered and restyled truck line in 1933 which
was, in the minds of many, one of the best styled truck lines Dodge
ever offered. All light-duty trucks (half-ton models) in those days
were passenger car based. That is light trucks were built on an auto's
chassis and differed only in that they were equipped with larger tires,
wheels, axles, and springs. The Glamour Era pickups were no exception,
this was the last Dodge light-duty truck series built on an auto's
chassis, however. The front end appearance of the 1933 Dodge car and
light truck were the same. Keep in mind too that the next larger truck
up from the half-ton was a 1 1/2-ton. The industry sold many more
1 1/2-ton trucks in those days than half-ton models. For example in
1933 the industry sold a total of 99,813 trucks less than 1 1/2-ton
capacity and 228,238 1 1/2-ton trucks.
The last new
Commercial Car models introduced in the 1933 model year were the
Commercial Canopy, shown, and the Commercial Screenside. The Screenside
model had theft proof screens on both sides and the rear to protect
the load. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)
The
first new 1933 Dodge Commercials, the chassis cowls, and the Commercial
Sedan (sedan delivery), were introduced in January 1933. The Commercial
Express (pickup) and the Commercial Panel followed in March 1933.
The Sedan and Express models were built in a 111 1/4-inch wheelbase,
the Panel on a 119-inch wheelbase and the chassis cowls on both. The
Commercial Express' cargo box was constructed entirely of steel including
its floor.
Beginning in
the late 1920s Dodge trucks differed from its two major competitors
in that they were powered by corporate engines as opposed to division
engines as was true at Chevrolet and Ford. Ford trucks did not use
an engine other than a Ford car engine until 1948 (the exception
was a four cylinder tractor engine that was an option for the early
1940s light trucks) and Chevrolet did not deviate from their car
engine policy until 1959 when they used a big Buick V-8 in their
largest trucks. From 1933 on, Dodge trucks employed engines from
the Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, and Plymouth Divisions. It should be
pointed out, however, that all engines used in trucks were built
with premium features in order for them to perform under extreme
service. The more demanding the service the engine was expected
to perform the more premium features it had.
The early production
1935 Dodge Commercial Express was outwardly unchanged except the
front bumper's ends were tapered. The pickup shown had optional
wooden spoke wheels. This truck was equipped with a chrome plated
radiator grille and headlight shells. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)
All Commercials
were powered by the new 190 cubic inch L-head six cylinder Plymouth
engine, the only transmission available was a 3-speed. This was
the same basic flat head six cylinder engine used in conventional
Dodge trucks through 1960.
Dodge also built
a 1 1/2-, two-, and three-ton trucks during the Glamour years. A
1 1/2-ton pickup was not offered in 1933 but a 1 1/2 ton pickup
with an 8 1/2-foot cargo box was a standard model in 1934 and 1935.
The second
series Dodge Commercial Express shown had the new cab with
front hinged doors and a solid steel cab roof. In 1934 the
engine in all Commercial Cars was changed to the new 70 horsepower
201 cubic inch L-head six. This truck was equipped with steel
spoke wheels. Dodge also built 1 1/2, two-, and three-ton
trucks during the Glamour years. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)
The 1934
model trucks continued without change from 1933 except that
the Commercial Car's engine was increased in size to 201 cubic
inch. The engine was re-engineered with full height water
jackets for better cooling.
A restyled
cab was new in mid-year 1935. It featured front hinged doors
and a full steel roof. This cab was used through the 1938
model year.
