Famous Trucks: The Creeper's 1941 Chevy COE from Jeepers Creepers

The Film: Jeepers Creepers

2001's Jeepers Creepers, written and directed by Victor Salva, is a cult classic horror film. The film follows two siblings—Darry Jenner (Justin Long) and Trish Jenner (Gina Phillips)—on a trip home through the Florida countryside. The two siblings encounter an aggressive driver on the road before discussing the troubled and tumultuous history of the road. As legend has it, several people have disappeared and, likely, met gruesome fates upon it. 

As the two pass an abandoned church in the countryside, they spot the same truck that had previously attempted to run them off the road. There, the two come into contact with the Creeper, a mysterious monster who, upon sensing their fear, makes it his mission to add the siblings to his growing list of victims.

The Truck: 1941 Chevy COE

One of the film's most notable attributes isn't its eerie setpieces and tremendous performances but the mid-century pickup truck piloted by the Creeper (Jonathan Breck). The vehicle, colloquially called "The Creeper Truck," is a dilapidated 1941 Chevrolet COE sporting a patinated green finish, a rusted grille guard, and supernatural performance levels. The truck appears in several scenes, including the heart-palpitating chase sequences.

In a sense, the Creeper Truck becomes an extension of the Creeper himself. It's not only a mere form of transportation but a suit of armor that allows the Creeper to continue his deadly rampage and harvest fresh victims.

Build Your Own Jeepers Creepers Inspired Truck

If you've ever wanted to build a replica Jeepers Creepers truck, now is your chance. This section covers some standout modifications, details, and features you'll need to replicate to create a screen-accurate tribute.

Platform

To kick things off, you'll need to find the correct platform. The Creeper Truck is a Chevy COE, or cab-over-engine produced between 1941 and 1947. The screen-used pickup is said to be a 1941 model, though any single-cab, short-wheelbase COE pickup should suffice for the build. Bonus points for acquiring a factory box truck, though this feature can always be added at a later date.

Body

Next, let's move on to the body of the Creeper Truck. While we're uncertain if the screen-used pickup wore a factory Chevrolet paint code, if so, our best guess would be either Morat Green or Brewster Green—both offered on Chevrolet and GMC pickups at the time. That said, the truck's paint doesn't stand out nearly as much as its patinated finish, which covers the entirety of the truck. From its heavily-oxidized "cow catcher" to the tail end of its box, the Creeper Truck looks nearly as ominous and hastily stitched together as its driver.

Grille Guard

Speaking of the "cow catcher," a colloquialism for front grille guard, the Creeper Truck appears to wear a modified front bumper with an integrated guard, all fabricated from rusty tubular and plate steel. While we don't offer any bolt-on options for the Chevy COE, any competent fabricator should be able to build something similar. Just ensure it is burly enough to ram unsuspecting drivers off the road!

Wheels and Tires

The Creeper Truck appears to sit on factory-patinated steel wheels wrapped in heavy-duty radials, similar to those commonly found on semi-trucks.

Other Features

In addition to these attributes, the Creeper Truck boasts several other unique features. Some of the most unique include a bulletproofed exterior, several booby traps, and even a customized license plate that reads "BEATNGU." 

With the accessories on this list ordered you'll be well on your way to piloting a replica of the Creeper's 1941 Chevy COE from Jeepers Creepers.

As always, we offer all the parts and know-how to piece together this build and countless others at RealTruck®. For additional information, check out the rest of our articles on RealSource, and don't hesitate to contact the experts.