Reminds me of a couple trucks I owned in my younger days.
One was a 53 ford pickup.
The other was a 50s something dodge that had a standard transmission but they called it a fluid drive tranny system. Like an automatic and standard all in one.

Yep just like this one. Similiar body style here. The hood opened from each side.
http://classiccars.com/classifieds/Slides.aspx?Listingid=118001

Yeah, my Gramps had a truck similar to this wayyy back when too..it was dark green..and beat-up some...He used it for hunting, trapping (beaver & muskrat) hauling wood, etc...utilities...It was a 3 on the column..I never understood how the hell they were driving/shifting that thing till I got a 66 Ford Country Sedan w/the same...all of a sudden I understood.. (-: That car was fun to drive...my friends called it the hurse..lol...I was glad when I got a different car..it was my first tho, so I can't complain..
I'm a go & check out your link - thanks..