1958 GMC with Car Hauler

When we saw this “one of a kind” pair, we just had to have them as a Feature Truck of the Month! A real part of American History.

Most of this article is from “Phillip Lott’s Own Words.”

This special truck is a 1958 GMC, LCP (Low Cab Forward), I stumbled across in Mora, N.M. It had the large optional back window which I had never seen in a truck that large. Hauled it back to Mississippi. Installed a 454 cubic inch V-8 and a three speed Brown Lipe. Had no idea what I was going to pull with it.

I came up with the idea of getting an old car hauler. Posted on the web that I was in the hunt. Was told there was one in Nebraska. Drove up from my home in Mississippi and looked but it was too far gone.

Later was contacted by a guy in New Jersey that had one that he would sell. Pictures were sent and we made a deal.

Drove this long distance and loaded it on my trailer. It was manufactured by “Materials Handling Systems”. I was told the company built it in the early 1940’s. During WWII, they also built troop haulers.

This trailer has no hydraulic system! Originally, everything had to be man handled!

Sand blasted and painted it. Converted the vacuum brakes to air. I have always liked the jingle “See the USA in Your Chevrolet” sang by Diana Shore in the early 1950’s, so I had to have this painted on the side.

It would only haul 4 cars, and that was a load for the large 454 V-8. I can only imagine what it was like back in the days of 6 cylinder trucks! Drove it to “Crusin the Coast” a couple of times. Would like to have a dime every time someone took a picture of it. I’ve had people pass me taking pictures and then I would see them in a few miles filming me as I went by. Nobody had ever seen anything like it!

One day, I received a phone call from someone in Portland, Oregon that wanted to buy the trailer. He would not take “not for sale” for an answer. So I gave him a price. He sent me $10,000.00 to hold it for 3 months. I agreed to haul it halfway to meet him. Stopped by Jim Carter Truck Parts on the way out and placed an order that I would pick up on the return trip. Jim Carter took several pictures of this special hauler!

The new owner was very happy too with this purchase. He has sent me pictures of it during parades and shows hauling up to 4 cars. I really hated to see it go, but I am on to the next project.

Later, the GMC tractor was sold to a gentleman in Canada.