The Cab Over Engine (“COE”) configuration dates back to the trucks earliest days, but it mostly faded away until an upsurge in interest in the mid-30s, as it looked modern and was very amenable to streamlined styling. And of course it had a number of benefits, primarily in reducing overall vehicle length, which was always a big issue with car carriers.
Chevrolet did not offer a factory COE at the time (1935) so the job was outsourced to Montpelier Manufacturing, in Montpelier, OH, a long-time builder of truck bodies and vans. The conversion required not only the cab, but also a heavier front axle and steering gear, among other changes. When Chevrolet decided to offer a factory COE in 1938 or 1939, they contracted with Montpelier to help design it.
Here’s a brochure for the Montpelier conversion, which was available on a variety of wheelbase chassis as well as with van bodies. A sleeper cab was also available.
This is the new “factory” COE, developed with technical assistance by Montpelier. Chevrolet was a bit behind the game, as Dodge, Ford and International already offered factory COEs.
There’s a bit of a question as to whether these first came out in 1938 or 1939; best bet is mid-year 1938.
In 1941, Chevy trucks got a restyle, including the COE. I snagged one of these some years back, and its whole story is here: Truckstop Classic: 1941 Chevrolet COE: Streamlining Arrives Down On The Farm
I’m guessing ’35-’36 Oldsmobiles on top
Good looking rigs but those early COE’s were _NOISY_ inside the cab ! .
-Nate
I love the look of these COE designs as well.
I wasn’t really aware of them until last year. You see them in generic illustrations from the 1930’s, along with imaginary streamlined automobiles, but they didn’t strike me as ‘real’.
This is the first I’ve heard of these. Very stylish, though I prefer the first conversion style to the later Chevy branded trucks. The name gave me an idea … a road trip “pilgrimage” to various cities in the US whose names became attached to the cars or car parts manufactured there. Muncie, Cleveland and Windsor, Saginaw, now Montpelier. Maybe not the greatest places to visit, but the journey is more important than the destination.
Nice styling. Very much like, the wide, aircraft-style windsheild design. I started illustrating a Chev COE a few months ago, but had to drop it (for now), for other higher priorities.
👍
Dodge used the same cab through ’39, before building their own. Similar grille, too, but in ’39 they added a hint of the new conventional cab grille treatment as you can barely see here.
Great piece of information for the old truck salesman. Thanks.
I think that it is notable that these trucks have full width cabs and no running boards. That was something in 1935.