1941 Chevrolet COE

It was show time at the 2014 American Truck Historical Society national convention. This year it was held in Springfield, Missouri. The Ozark 4-State Chapter was the host. Over 713 large and small trucks from across the US and Canada were registered and on display! So many more were in the parking lot outside of the gates.

Of all these examples of trucking history, several stood out just a bit higher in popularity with not only the crowd but by the officers of the ATHS as well as the local chapter.

Our feature truck of the month is one of those vehicles that was special even before the show began.

This “one of a kind” show stopping small big truck is a 1941 Chevrolet Cab Over Engine (COE) with optional dump bed. The shortest COE offered that year, its wheel base is only 109”. It can fit comfortable in a parking spot at a shopping mall! After all, its massive size extends vertically not in width or length.

The proud owner is Earl Burk of Ozark, Missouri.  It has been a family prize possession for many years.  When he bought the truck 29 years ago his three Children were young and quickly bonded with it.  Now his Grandchildren really love to ride along in parades waving and “helping” Earl drive. Decorations are stored away for the truck to fit the holiday parades such as Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and Independence Day.

While the children were young, they would ride on the dump bed extension over the cab during parades with decorations of gifts and Santa and Mrs. Clause likenesses in Christmas local parades.

During these parades when onlookers are admiring this special COE they get a double surprise!  Son Trevor had a toy dump truck that adapted well to also being decorated with seasonal trim and pulled in parades by the big guy! What a pair of crowd pleasers judging from the facial expressions of all ages watching it go by.  Those watching always admire the big truck but almost immediately forget it when they see the toy truck close behind! 

The COE appeared on the official poster announcing the ATHS Convention so it received much press coverage over the country. The small brass souvenir plate, given to all show entries, is made from Burk’s COE. It was found on a few very large banners used to advertise the convention in earlier local shows. The compliment of all was it being on the cover of the ATHS Showtime Magazine sent to club members around the world. It shows data and photos of all convention truck participants. See photos.

NOTE: If you want to know even more about the details of the Burk’s COE, check out this part of our Feature Truck of the Month.

The wheels began turning several years before Earl purchased this COE. A nice article on this truck appeared in the Wheels of Time, the official magazine of the American Truck Historical Society (ATHS). The article showed this blue COE at its best and described it as a very special truck. To Earl’s surprise about a year later in this same magazine there was a small classified ad offering this identical truck for sale.

At that time it was owned by Joe Fuller in New Cumberland, West Virginia. Joe is known for building quality early large trucks. Earl made several calls and Joe sent some photos showing more details. Earl became convinced, this will probably be the type of truck he had hoped to find. Its short wheel base and tall height would be great fun for his young growing family.

He purchased a ticket on an Express Greyhound bus in Springfield, Missouri and in about 18 hours arrived in Pittsburg, PA.  Earl barely had time to shave in the bus station that morning before Joe picked him up and headed for his place in New Cumberland, W. Va.  When Earl saw this beautifully restored blue 1941 COE, he knew the long bus trip was worth every hour.  Joe had personally restored this special COE in 1986 with the help of two parts trucks.  The best of these three trucks made this COE one of a kind.

When Joe built this COE in 1986, he kept it mostly original with a few exceptions. This was adding a Chevy small block V-8 engine, a 1948-66 synchronized 4 speed transmission, a “Brownie” auxiliary 3 speed attached to the rear of this transmission (to add extra highway speed), and a 2 speed electric operated differential from the 1950’s. Also added were extra leafs in all springs to raise the truck 4 inches. It is now equipped with 9.00 x 20 tires and heavy duty more deluxe non-original split rim wheels. The gas tank on the left has been cut in half horizontally and now serves as a tool box. Creative idea!!

So the sale was made with Earl having no hesitations. He filled the tank and headed west out of West Virginia, through Ohio, and spent the night in a motel in Indiana. On the road again the next morning and back home in Springfield that evening. Total drive was 800 miles with no mechanical problems.

At every stop for gas it was the focal point and would draw a crowd. It was equipped with a CB radio and Earl grinned all the way home as truckers talked about this COE driving down the highway-many guessing its make and few realizing it’s a Chevy.

 This is a great example of using a special truck for the enjoyment of family.  What a major change from the “work only” use this truck was designed for!  We salute the family use of your special truck and for keeping it before the public.  Your interest in early trucks will encourage others to follow in your footsteps.

An artist admirer and friend, Earl Morgan, sent the Burk’s this pen and ink drawing titled “Old Trucks are Fun.”  Very Impressive!

In summary, this article on such a unique COE truck was a big hit 8 years ago. Therefore, we thought it deserved another posting with only a few minor changes. Enjoy reading about one of the remaining short wheelbase COE’s of the pre-World War II era.

You can contact Earl via email at: erlburk@yahoo.com