It probably had to do with convenient loading height over the side. The low sides made it easier for in-town delivery. Farmers were used to making side boards for their particular needs. The later ('48 and up up) design pickups offered an optional 'high sided' bed. We tend to forget that the aesthetics of a pickup didn't matter...
I think the black '56 might be the one Sam Foose did for Chip. Note the front wheel arch has been moved forward to get rid of the goofy factory location, which I understand was an afterthought used to improve the tuning circle.
I love the '56 Ford enough to have them on my bucket list. I just don't personally find them to be the best design, looks wise, when sided up to other trucks. They do have strong appeal. I think all the pie cuts and chops and tucks, etc. the guys did to bring Chip Foose's vision for Sam's truck to reality checks all the right boxes and really highlight how beautiful that rig can look.
I didn’t see a mention of any Dodge Sweptlines so I’ll post one from online for some opinions. They were very rare with only about 3000 built for 57, 58 & 59. They’re kind of odd looking to me but I haven’t seen many in my lifetime. Dodge basically took the rear quarters from a wagon and grafted them on to a pickup bed. Here’s a ‘58.
1940 Ford 1953-1956 Ford 1955 Late Chev to 1959 Chev These are the classic pickup trucks. Hands down. You can debate between these but these are the classics. I love all of these and like my grandchildren I just cant pick one over the others
I'm a truck guy. I get more excited about trucks than cars. trying to pick a favorite is impossible because of the hot rod hobby. The mods make or break the truck.
1940-41 for Fords, followed closely by the 56 F-100. Chevrolet would be the 47-53's.. that's how I got it figured anyways.
a 1940 Willys Roadster Pickup Hello, We may have been a little prejudiced, but a 1940 split grille Willys Coupe played a big part of our teenage lives. But, as much work as we put into it, we always knew that somewhere down the line, we would need a tow truck or station wagon. At first, it was directed to a 55 or 56 Chevy station wagon. It would allow us to tow the Willys Coupe all over So Cal to compete in the Gas Coupe/Sedan Classes. It would also allow us to tow back East to the U.S. Nationals and allow us to sleep in the back in campgrounds, so an inappropriate theft would be prevented. But, as time and necessities start piling up, we could see the need for a truck. So, do we just buy a ready made truck or because our Willys Coupe was semi finished, start on a truck mod or two? Jnaki Or just start on a cool project and get ready for more adventures… YRMV
The Jalopy Journal
