When it comes to old trucks, I love stumbling over the stuff that isn’t commonly talked about. Take this 1948 Ward-LaFrance truck for example. This was a severe duty big rig back in the late 1940s so it was used on heavy haulage jobs and stuff that would have broken smaller trucks in half. When we look at a truck like this and realize that it has the creature comforts of an eastern European prison, the power level of a 1980s 305 Camaro (granted with way more torque) and styling that makes farm tractors look bold we can’t help but smile. This truck has been stored in a barn for 25 years and while it needs some work, it could be a really cool rig to take to truck shows, cruises, etc.
Before you start yelling at me about how much of a bear it would be to drive and how uncomfortable it would be, etc, allow me to say that I get it. Maybe it is just my mental illness but I think the guys into this old rigs actually enjoy those neanderthal aspects of these trucks. It isn’t like you would be traveling cross country in it, more like across town and maybe on short-ish trips. We can guarantee that yours would be about the only one around because we have never seen another one.
The seller claims that the engine is a 165 Cummins. Now, we’re not sure if he means a 165hp Cummins or an engine model but we’re thinking it may be a Cummins HB-600 which was a 150hp engine that was available in the truck. There was a big 800+ ci Continental engine also available but the 800 lb/ft of torque produced by the diesel likely dwarfs what even the big gasser could produce. This truck is huge and cool and it could be yours, big now!
Here’s the text of the ad:
1948 Ward LaFrance Road Tractor for sale. This one heavy duty rig. It is 28 feet overall length with a 21.5 foot wheelbase. It has a 165 Cummins Diesel with a 5 speed transmission and a 2-speed rear axle. The engine is frozen up. This truck has been sitting in this pole barn for about 25 years. I am selling this truck for a friend of mine and it is located in Hawley Minnesota which is close to Fargo ND. If you are the successful bidder you will need a heavy duty tow truck or big rig and trailer to transport this truck. Lots of good and rare usable parts on this truck. This truck does not run and is sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PHOTOS OF THIS SWEET OLD RIG AND THE FULL EBAY WITH IT –
CLICK HERE to see this slumbering giant of a 1948 Ward LaFrance Truck
That would be “the bee’s knees” (circa1948). Twin turbo Cummins moved to the rear, lower the frame, chop the cab; the perfect land speed unlimited truck.