As an early truck enthusiast, Ray Geweke found this rare 1938 Chevy ¾ ton pickup near Fargo, ND, and pulled it to his Wisconsin home in 1981. Its total restoration was begun many years later! Ray had time to find many new original parts and made it look like it did when new about 88 years ago!
There were major auto union strikes in the U.S. during 1938 which halted much production that year. Therefore, you will see few 1938's, if any, at any older vehicle shows!
In addition, Ray’s 1938 is a ¾ ton! They were stronger and carried more weight than the popular ½ ton. The buyer bought a longer ¾ ton because he wanted a worker. Thus, few have survived. Ray’s is definitely unusual.
During the restoration, Ray decided to keep it looking original, yet add a few extras so he could easily keep up with surrounding traffic. Thus, these additions were added:
- A 235 cubic inch six cylinder engine used in Chevrolet’s 1955-1962.
- Higher gearing, recently available, in the differential.
- Radial tires for pleasure driving, especially at higher speeds.
Ray says he now has the best: a mid-1930s appearance, but never holds up surrounding traffic!
Exterior is an original apple green, with gigolo-green pinstripes in correct locations and widths on the body, and red pin striping on the rims and grille.
To transport lawn chairs, tools, a gallon of water, etc., Ray loaded a crate into the bed of his pickup. It conceals a diamond-plate toolbox that didn't go well with the '38 vehicle. He has a picture of a 1938 Chevy radiator in the front of the crate and a picture of a 1938 Chevy six-cylinder engine in the back. The top displays the accurate Chevrolet part numbers, the weight of the engines and radiators, the emblem, and the facility where they were manufactured. In case I have motor problems, Ray has an extra engine!
NEWS FLASH:
Once Ray learned that Trailabout existed, he discovered another about three hours away. He bought it.
With Ray’s enthusiasm, his son recently bought him a 1937 GMC Trailabout trailer. This will soon be restored to pull behind the show quality 1938 Chevy ¾ ton.
It is in much better condition than the brown-painted Trailabout that his son bought. Some of the wood of the bed seems to be original.
Both Ray's and his son's Trailabouts are heavy-duty because both have helper springs. The light duty had no springs.
Ray’s New Addition
You can contact Ray at: rgeweke@new.rr.com 920-810-3092
He is now looking for a 1937 GMC Trailabout six page sales brochure! Any help?
This past article is from many years ago. It goes into depth on this special GMC trailer:
1937 Trailabout
-As it was trailered Across the Country-
It's 1937 and the Great Depression has affected all households. Sales of new cars and trucks have dropped and most vehicle manufacturers have permanently shut their doors. The struggling GMC truck dealers must add ways to stay above the level of bankruptcy. Some dealers were marketing used cars, farm implements, and doing repairs of all makes of vehicles!
One of General Motors ideas was to increase sales by adding a new product that their GMC dealers could market. This was the Trailabout, an all-purpose small trailer that could be used by both car and truck owners. GMC produced it with little added expense. Most items were already used on their 1/2 ton pickup. The bed, taillights, fenders, wheels, and hubcaps were in stock. The additional GM investment was the light weight metal frame with tongue.
Sales were low during its two year production. It is suspected that the $350.00 price discouraged most buyers. During the depression people could make a trailer from a salvage yard pickup truck or just build one from used materials. The savings would be great over the Trailabout.
Today, finding a real Trailabout is next to impossible. They were bought for hauling and most were never garaged. Their wood floors were probably gone in less than 20 years.
One of the few Trailabouts known to exist belonged to Ron Loos. Its life began in 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was trailered to a new home in Independence, Missouri in 1987, then was hauled to Ron's home in California mid-2008. Ron gave it a ground up restoration and pulled it to shows with his almost one of a kind 1938 GMC Canopy Express. It was the talk of any show!
We understand that Ron Loss passed away several years ago. It was then sold to a person named Bob in California.
Pulled by a car. Good advertisement.
The same scalloped wheels as the 1937-38 GMC 1/2 ton.
As it arrived from Georgia with the same taillight bracket as on the GMC pickup. Homemade fender.
Look at the 89 year old hitch.
Great original fender.
Correct GMC tailgate with circled script. Only needs a Guide-R13 taillight.
Great original fender. Later designed 6 bolt wheel will be replaced.
The factory ID plate still on the trailer tongue.
