General Category => Simplex Trucks => Topic started by: relic on May 07, 2014, 08:06:34 PM

Title: Simplex 1/4 ton trucks
Post by: relic on May 07, 2014, 08:06:34 PM
What year did Simplex start building the 1/4 ton trucks? and what was the last year that they were made? from what little that i can find maybe 100 to 200 were built? I dont see alot of info on these...just trying to educate myself as i just made a deal to get one.
Title: Re: Simplex 1/4 ton trucks
Post by: rldebuse on May 21, 2014, 04:09:51 PM
The 1/4 ton trucks were automatics, so they would have started making them in 54.  Unclear when the last truck was made, no later than 1960.  The 1/5 ton trucks were L or M series with the foot pedal shift, although the automatic transmission was optional after 53.  Likely they were discontinued along with the M series in 57?
Title: Re: Simplex 1/4 ton trucks
Post by: Ricks on May 21, 2014, 05:05:08 PM
An automatic truck was offered in 1952, using a Salsbury clutch.  The next year, Simplex introduced their own auto clutch and discontinued using the salsbury made unit.
Title: Re: Simplex 1/4 ton trucks
Post by: relic on May 21, 2014, 07:55:58 PM
I just bought a original...i dont have it yet, wont be picking it up until July so all i have is some pictures from the old owner for now but trying to educate myself so i dont know if its a 1/4 ton truck or 1/5 ton truck? frame number is 09378 and engine number is m17817b it also has the original tow bar on it! it has only one fuel filler neck on the left side of the tank I am soooo stoked to get it!!
Title: Re: Simplex 1/4 ton trucks
Post by: relic on May 21, 2014, 08:05:57 PM
Also how many original trucks are in the registry on this site? I looked and didnt see really  anything mentioned?
Title: Re: Simplex 1/4 ton trucks
Post by: Ricks on May 22, 2014, 04:06:30 AM
Also how many original trucks are in the registry on this site? I looked and didnt see really  anything mentioned?

I see only 1 truck listed in the registry, and it changed hands to a new owner last year.  Jim Lokia has around 4 or 5 trucks, and Bob Legron has one.  These 2 guys are at Portland every year with their trucks, and we should get the numbers this year.