1948 Dodge B-1B Pickup REA

The American Dodge B-1B pickup was manufactured by Dodge (Chrysler) between 1948 and 1953, assembled in Los Angeles and Stockton, California and Warren, Michigan. The B-1B was a standard ½ ton truck with a 95hp flathead straight-six engine and 3-speed manual gearbox, classed as a full-size 2-door pick-up with an FR layout. The B Series also featured a unique ‘pilot house’ cab with optional rear quarter light windows, all of which increased visibility for the driver. The engine was moved forward and the front axle moved back to improve weight distribution. Increased all-round space in the cab and improved rubberised mounts meant it could seat three people in comfort. The cargo area sides were also raised to improve load capacity. More improvements followed in the early 1950s before the B-1B was superseded by the Dodge C Series.

Our latest Oxford Dodge carries a 1948 registration plate from New York, numbered MN 10. It represents a truck operated by the Railway Express Agency (REA) in their Air Express Division, according to the colourful graphics. The cargo must be varied and sometimes large as a tooling modification sees the 1:87 scale vehicle with new side boards along the length of the rear round the planked out flatbed section.The dark green bodywork incorporates gold, red and white graphics including the Dodge name. Additional detail comprises red wheel surrounds with silver hub caps, the distinctive Dodge radiator grille and a split windscreen, complete with wiper blades.

The B-1B certainly looks the part and will add a new dimension to the previous three models released so far.