The origins of the Brockway Motor Truck Company can be traced to 1851, when William Brockway established a carriage factory in Homer, New York.
The firm soon developed a reputation for quality that was perpetuated by William's son, George, who took over the company in 1889. He eventually moved the firm to Cortland, New York, and established Brockway Motor Truck in 1912.
The 1925 Brockway E-3000 pickup was built by hand one at a time. Both cab and pickup box were made almost entirely of ash and oak.The 1925 Brockway E-3000 pickup is a prime example of the hand-built, labor-intensive approach that George Brockway chose to pursue instead of mass production.
Riding a 147 1/2-inch wheelbase, the flare-side body style was rated at 1 1/2 tons. Power came from a Wisconsin four-cylinder inline engine fitted with a Zenith single-barrel updraft carburetor. Displacement was 251 cubic inches, good for 25.6 horsepower.
Mated to the Wisconsin was a three-speed Brown and Lipe transmission. Power was put to the 32x6 pneumatic tires via a Columbia 55001 rear axle.
The 1925 Brockway E-3000 pickup's bed and cab were constructed almost entirely of ash and oak, and required careful maintenance. The truck had no bumpers, and the rear wheels were fenderless.
Driver amenities were few: The cabin was bolt upright and dominated by a non-movable padded bench. A simple instrument panel was screwed into the woodwork, and the elements were kept at bay with side curtains.
The 1925 Brockway E-3000 pickup seen here was one of 8849 Brockways produced for model-year 1925. The company prospered by building trucks for business and the military throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
Brockway was purchased by Mack Trucks in the 1950s and soldiered on until 1977, when it fell prey to strikes and massive layoffs.
Collectible Pluses of the 1925 Brockway E-3000 Pickup
Rarity
Spartan good looks
High level of craftsmanship
Brockway pedigree
Collectible Minuses of the 1925 Brockway E-3000 Pickup
Rarity (finding replacement parts will be difficult)
Wood is tricky to restore
