Coast Runner: 1953 White 3000
While I’m not much of a truck guy, I do love old White commercial haulers. This 1953 White 3000/Model 3022 PLT semi-tractor is hanging out in Oregon, where its tired paint and mossy coating offer some indication as to how long it’s been stationary. The seller describes it as a “ran when parked” example, and also notes that it was used by the city of Portland’s transfer fleet, used for running between the coast and the city. Find it here on eBay with a $1,500 opening bid and no reserve.
While I think everyone should be allowed to have a project or two in their yard, I’m not sure staring at it from my bathroom window every day would be a treat! Hopefully, these neighbors get along as the White has become a bit of an eyesore, with rusty floors and doors, a sagging headliner, and questionable running condition. The seller claims the flathead six-cylinder was running well when the truck was driven to its current spot, but no word on whether the engine still turns by hand.
The seller notes that this truck did duty on “….Portland Transfer’s fleet for many years, ran from Portland to the coast on a daily run.” While I did Google what a transfer fleet was, the nearest I can figure out it means is that this truck would run loads from coastal ports to tractor trailers that would take them to their final destination. Happy to be proven wrong! The seller notes that in addition to the six cylinder, the White features a 5-speed transmission, 2-speed rear and air brakes.
Inside, the seats appear rough and the seller says the glass is in poor condition. That 2-speed rear I mentioned is non-functioning at the moment, though the seller offers that he drove the truck home without issue. It’s amazing given how large tractor trailer cabs have grown to see such compact dimensions inside, but then again, drivers likely weren’t expected to be treated to any creature comforts, either. Bidding is quiet at the moment, but the price seems right for such a cool piece of trucking history.
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Comments
You gotta be a real big truck guy to go through the cost of taking on this very worthy project. Back in the day I expect you had to be a manly man to drive even a short hauler like this. No pneumatic cushioned drivers seat, etc. I don’t know a lot about trucks of this era, so help me out. Did they have power anthing?
They barely had power at all.
Especially Whites. The school district my dad worked for had some White powered School buses and he said they were the most gutless, underpowered things in the world.
They had a big steering wheel, which helped a little. I rode in, but never drove a White. I love the design of the trucks. I drove a single axle GMC semi, and it was great in town, but less stable on the highway, particularly on a windy or slippery day. I didn’t know that it was hard work because I didn’t know the difference. The new trucks drive like sports cars compared to what we had.
Bob
Replace the standard engine with an Allison aircraft mill and one could have a tribute machine of Tex Collin’s ‘Bad Brawma Bull’, famous for dumping something like 27 quarts of oil at Lion’s Drag Strip.
Was that the guy on Magnolia, or was it Burbank Blvd in North Hollywood? I recall seeing an Allison powered White Garbage Truck – next to a BMW Isetta body set on top on an Allison as well when I was a kid.
I don’t want to be “that guy” but the sellers story doesn’t make sense. Some questions are in order. It almost sounds like he made up a backstory to heighten the truck’s appeal. The city of Portland is a shipping port, with plenty of terminals and until recently (last 8-10 years) regular and frequent container service. They don’t truck much inland from the coast, ships come up to Portland. Perhaps garbage hauling? Either way, a backstory really isn’t needed, this old truck is cool and presents honestly.
After reading the eBay ad, I noticed it doesn’t say it was on the “City of Portland’s” transfer fleet, it was on “Portland Transfer’s” fleet. The company doesn’t appear to exist anymore but it appears it was probably bringing stuff from Portland to the coast. Its early. I need coffee…
I was familiar with Oregon Transfer Co and Willamette Transfer Co, but Portland Transfer must be before my time . . .
Without carrying a load, this truck will rattle your fillings out of your teeth.
White trucks have a loyal following of knowledgeable folks – the fact that this truck hasn’t received any bids with one day remaining in the auction should be noted by the casual truck fan who may be thinking that this would be a “cool” project.
No smart or serious bidder enters a bid before the last couple of minutes . . . early bidding is usually the work of Mr. S Hill.
I GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cant believe I got this so cheap!!!!
Am looking for 1959 White 3000. Have you come across this beast? Any help is appreciated, thanks.
Well done, Neal. Good luck with it!
Mike.
Henry, Not sure where you are but here’s one on Hartford craigslist right now. https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/d/southington-1967-white-fuel-truck/6837179549.html
Have you done anything with it yet…?
While I don’t see any evidence of a 5th wheel, the brake hose hangers on the back of the cab, and “johnny bar” on the steering wheel, indicate it was a road tractor. This was probably a city rig, most didn’t venture far with these, unless it had a sleeper. To answer Meetoo’s question, no power nuttin’, including horsepower, but it was adequate for the time. A very popular truck into the early 60’s.
The PLT in the model number indicates it was a tractor.
I always loved these White trucks. Plenty of them around here when I was young being as how Cleveland,Oh. was home to the White Motor Co…Brings back a lot of great memories. For me, setting the cab onto a later model F-550 dually chassis would give me the White look with drive-ability and reliability. I would have no use for a fifth-wheel tractor so i would look into an old rounded off wrecker bed with side rails.
Lots of rust, cab parts are probably rare or non-existent. Good luck finding glass. Still, anything can be saved with time, money and skill.
Glass can be dealt with as can the sheet metal….properly.
These cabs use all flat laminated glass. You can replace all the glass on the truck for less than the cost of replacing the windshield on any modern car, and you can get it at any good auto glass shop.
Learned to drive a 36 ft trailer in this same tractor at about 12 years old. It was 1959 and Dad was a Mayflower agent. The only thing power in it was the muscles in your arms. What a trip.
Keep the cab put it on something modern with a Cumins diesel and a five speed with fifth wheel. Air ride the suspension and seats and use it for pulling an RV around.
I am the one that bought it. I am going to bag it, but I am going to leave the outside looking all rusted with the patina, then deck the inside out with everything digital….its going to be so fun!!!!!!
Restore it to original condition. Hell I have a CDL BPS with air-brake.
Let the fun begin.
The one big problem for the average driver, would be the air brakes, at least it would be here because the owner would have to register it as a commercial vehicle, get the regular inspections, and he would have to take the air course and get the endorsement on his license.
Back when I was driving that kind of truck, we didn’t have to have the endorsement on our C license to drive a truck with air. All we needed, was the proper weight endorsement for the GVW of the vehicles we were intending to operate.
There are people that can work magic with metal, and rejuvenating this truck
would not be a problem.
I would either make a hauler for a classic car, or a flat deck on it. There are lots of truck shows where this old hauler would be a hit.
Bob
I dont have to get a class C for this. Already checked in Texas….
I dont think I am going to make it a hauler. I am going to fix the cab real nice then …….who knows, maybe just drive it around like it is for a minute!
“Plez take this off my hands, clear out my yrd by – – – date (& pay me X$).”
A very few guys round here do a restoration. “Big(ger) rigs (than p/u) I think of ‘restomods – like the comments here (cummins/allison). Do a “spec rig” 4 Mr. Richie Rich 2 haul his period correct 5th wheel airstream. GO regional/national mrkt…
Love the art deco design cues. Surprised the door hinges were hidden, and the dash was so modern. Then googled “1953 White 3000 cabover truck” to see what the livery should be. I was amazed, everything from Rat Rod, Kustom Pickup, Car Hauler, to a very cool aero trailer to match! Customized car hauler would be cool, until I read above this truck is better around town and not on the highway. I’ll buy the Matchbook version and call it a day.
I cant believe I scooped this up so cheap!!!!
Congrats Neal! Keep us posted!
Will do bud!
Neal, what are your plans for this beauty. Glad it went to someone who was happy to get it.
Its like christmas….I have been searching for one for a very long time. I will post when I see movement….
Im pulling the cab off right now. Every bolt was rusted on, the shocks to stabilize the cab lift were rusted so bad it wouldnt lift a inch……
Congratulations! Whatever you do with it, I hope you will enjoy that beautiful old truck.
Bob
Hey guys, will do! I plan on leaving the outside of the cab all rusty and worn, and completely decking out the inside. I have a 7.3 and a 6.0 (gas) ready. I dont know which would fit. I dont think I am going to put a bed or flat in the back, might leave it bare, dont know yet. I will update when I get it!
I know this is an old thread, but I just ended up with your truck a few days ago, after finding it on Marketplace in Houston, TX. I’d like to talk to you about it. Jason Barnett
You know he could have gotten a lot more for this if he simply put the 3 letters……COE
I bought the 3000 because I saw it on here!!!!
Neal you’re right about that. I have an automatic daily Ebay search set up for “White 3000 truck” and White 3000 COE” and this one never came up. A simple search for “White 3000” gives too many irrelevant results. I think you got a good deal, I’ve been seeing them sell for around $4k in similar condition. Good luck with the project. I have a ’56 3000 cab going onto a modern chassis.
So I have it here, and we are taking the paint off, and boy there is a ton of rust. The paint was holding the rust together, LOL. The front doesnt lift, because of the rust. I had my guys remove the bumper-ette, and cut the shocks and hinges off. I am about to lift the cab this morning with a forklift. Pics will come!
Hi everyone I’m new to this sight. I purchased a I believe to be a 1956 3022PTL from a salvage yard several months ago hopefully looking to restore to as much OEM as possible. Do y’all know of any parts manuals and parts availability? Thanks, Tim
What chassis are you or have you used ?
Neal, you can download the 3026 maintenance manual here: http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/White/1963/index.htm
Not much of it will be useful for your project, but it does cover rebuilding the electric ballscrew that raises and lowers the cab.
Jon,
I must say ….
“You are a freakn lifesaver”!!!!!!!!
Jon,
I must say ….
“You are a freakn lifesaver”!!!!!!!!
I have a collector’s edition White 3000 Texaco Bank Truck made in the ’90s. Wonder what happened to the mirror on this truck?
Anyone interested in a 1959 white freightliner 5000 gallon tanker Model 3026-BH?