why are they called pilot house trucks?

I've been seeing some talk about the late 40's early 50's dodge trucks.. how did they get the name pilot house? was that the term ma-mopar gave em or what?

 

I believe it stems from the upright, multi-windowed shape/configuartion of the cab being somewhat akin to a tug boat "pilot house"....a commanding view of the surroundings. I don't know who was responsible for that comparison........

Ray

 

maybe its because they are so ugly

 

now that's funny there!

 

hey we thought that about your girlfriend but we kept our mouths shut.. lol

 

They are FUGLY alright.

 

ok we got that they are fugly, ugly, (to some.. I like em) anyone actually know why they called em pilot houses.

 

Enough about the girlfriends... You know they start looking prettier after that sixth beer.....

 

Look up pictures of antique river boats or read the history of Mark Twain and his job on a river boat and then look at the similarities.

 

As already said, because they featured a high-visibility "pilot-house" cab with optional rear quarter windows. A reference to the pilot-house (or wheelhouse) of boats which had/needed good allround visability...

 

The Dodge "pilot house" name is derived from their tradition of high-visibility cabs with a wraparound windshield, introduced in 1955. HRP

 

in stock form they are ass ugly. They just need some massaging.

 

We need photos.NO SORRY, I just remembered what they looked like. NO PHOTOS, Thanks.

 

Actually the first Pilothouse was introduced in 1948 and only lasted until 1953......1955 has another designation, which I can't remember.

 

O.K. Ed, now that's weird! My buddy has one just like it... but different! LOL

 

No way am I showing my buddy that photo, he will want to build one just like it.

 

Ya might ask here.
http://www.dodgepilothouseclub.org/

 

The '54 - '60 trucks are known as "Job-Rated" Dodges. 1961 - 1971 are "Sweptline" trucks. The '72 - '79 trucks are "Lifestyle" design trucks. The '80 - '93 trucks, although very similar to the earlier trucks, are when Dodge revived the "Ram" name.

 

Uglyest trucks on the planet

 

Not sure thats true. Have seen some ugly ass trucks on here. To each his own.

 

so it was a mopar thing.. hmm... I still think there not that ugly...

 

That`s an improvement?

 

Yes they were a look only a mother could enjoy.. not sure they are uglier then the 47 Ford.. at least they have a 47 ford car look to the front grill..

 

Back in the late seventies, in my hometown, I saw one sitting on the side of the street with the hood up, some guy obviously having some sort of mechanical problem. It was rough looking, what some guys call patina nowadays, but with some funky old square tube ladder bars, and rusty chrome reversed wheels on the back. When I went over to take a look I was surpised to see a sq. pt BB chevy with fenderwell headers and a 950 3bbl on top.

 

Some idiot saw my F100 ('55) and said he had one just like it...(yeah, a '54 Dodge...)
I said mine used to be a tugboat. He gave me the deer-in-the-headlites stare...

 

Those Dodges look like frying pans.The Fords look worse, Chevys look good,the Willys like in my avatar look very good

 

i happen to think so !! You know what opinions are like, dont you ?

 

that was a joke.

 

co-pilot house truck is the ugly sister.

 

Not too ugly....!!!