1951 White 3000 Cabover COE

Price: - Item location: Roswell, New Mexico, United States
Description:

1951 Other Makes White 3000 COE

Ok, here we go.This auction is for a 1951 White 3000. I am told that the truck was originally purchased by the City of Roswell NM as a garbage truck, but this info is unconfirmed. I have had it for a number of years in an enclosed shed here in Roswell.The truck has a six cylinder gasoline engine and automatic transmission. I don't know if its the original Mustang engine that the truck was shipped with, but I am sure the automatic transmission is a retrofit as the non-functioning clutch pedal and gearshift lever are still there in the cab. The good news is that the engine starts right up, runs great, and has the power to scoot the truck down the road. The transmission seems to work flawlessly and both are free from drips, leaks, etc. Whoever swapped the transmission (and engine?) did a neat job, and to my untrained eye, there are no signs of butchery to the frame, cab, or interior of the truck. The engine does not smoke. The cherry bomb bomb muffler seems to be the only nod to modernity on the truck but even so, the exhaust noise is surprisingly tame.The truck is equipped with it's original air brakes which work great (ptchisssss). It builds air right up, holds it, and indicates it on the original gauge on the dash. It has a standard air horn on the roof which tweets rather than honks, so you're gonna need one of those, but the actuator, plumbing, and horn are all there.There are no major dents or accident damage apparent, The rubber step pads on the fenders are there and in good shape. The vent flap on the front of the cab opens and closes. The odd underfloor vent selector flap is there and works. The original aluminum license plate holder is there (you can still make out the word 'White' on it).The truck is fitted with a PTO driven hydraulic pump, which works exactly as expected, and the tank, pump, hoses, valves, etc. are all there and leak-free though the hoses are capped off and not connected to anything. There is an intermediary two-speed shifter between the transmission and rear-end which works great. The rear end is tight and leak free. The rear tires suck, but I can drive it on them here in town. The front tires are in good condition and both original chrome hubcaps are there.The manual steering is in amazingly tight condition and the beastly steering wheel can be turned with a single finger while the truck is underway. Do not let the mileage dissuade you. This truck drives straight with none of the drifting, wobbling, vibrating, squeaking, moaning, groaning. wheezing, or grinding that you'd expect from a 70 year old truck, but there it is. I can effortlessly whip it through the fast food drive thru like a Camary, and that's the God's truth...no joke.The interior is all there. The gauges on the instrument panel are in fantastic shape and look like new. The speedometer, air gauge, oil pressure alternator and temp gauges all work. The upholstery is shot out, but nothing is missing. Every piece of glass is still on the truck. Every parking light is there and works, the headlights function and dip, the original single brake lamp is there and works. The interior light works. There are cracks in the windshield and rear window, but the good news is they are flat glass, and my local guy said he could replace both for $200. All other glass is undamaged and the windows roll up and down effortlessly. The heater works.Amazingly, everything still runs on the original wiring harness which still seems to be in its original, unbutchered condition and is in great shape. I don't recall if the windshield wipers work, but its the desert, so this truck doesn't see much rain. There is some light surface rust on the frame and cab, but all minor. The floor of the cab has a couple of places that have rusted through :( but they are very localized and the floor is otherwise completely solid. I suspect maybe the garbagemen were spilling soda that accumulated in two or three spots on the floor and caused the damage, It's weird, almost zero rust surrounding the rusted through areas or anywhere else on the truck, just there. At any rate, we're talking maybe six square inches over two or three spots.The original fuel tanks are there, along with the switching valve (which functions) and they are not rusted through. I removed the tanks with the thought of replacing them with some groovy aluminum saddle tanks, but both setups are included in the sale so you can decide what floats your boat.
So to sum it up.
This is a tight, mostly original cab-over in simply incredible shape. Cosmetically, there are minor issues and that's about it. I would drive it anywhere in the country with the following;A decent set of tires.Cleaning and reinstallation of the original gas tank or installation of the aluminum ones.Installation of side mirrors (Fleet Pride).New windshield and rear window (to satisfy the fuzz).Oil change, new diff fluid etc.New air horn.A Mexican blanket and a bit of foam to build up the driver's seat for comfort's sake.Gasoline card, coffee, empty calorie road food, etc.Permission from my girlfriend (like that's gonna happen...).
There is no title to this truck, but most states have no problem issuing a title on a 68 year old truck, so check with your state's DMV before bidding.
Good luck, and happy motoring...