1961 Chevrolet 1-Ton Panel Truck

	Owned by Pete Geurds "64 Pete" Bolter # 4304 Douglassville, Pennsylvania

From Pete :

Here is my 1961 Chevrolet 1-ton Panel Truck. Originally a California truck, it spent a few years in Ohio.

The body is in pretty decent shape. I got the truck with no engine or transmission (and now I know on a 1-ton that means no parking brake either!). So I had some things to sort out: the engine and transmission mounts, parking brake, that 5.14 rear, the 17.5 " wheels, the cargo floor -- which was plywood until previous owner hacked it out thinking it was supposed to have a plank floor. It might be planks after all since the floor is 10 feet 3.5 inches long. I haven't located any plywood longer than 10 feet.

I've thought about putting in a Cummins 4BT diesel for the gas mileage, but I think I like my Chevy sixes too much to actually do the swap. So this will have a 292 Chevy six.

I now have a SM465 truck 4 speed, complete with cast iron bellhousing and a big 'ol parking brake hanging on back. So that takes care of a few issues.

I've been talking to Advance Adapters about their Ranger Overdrive unit. It's a manual gear box and sounds like a good match to the SM465.

The truck is sharing space with three 1964 Chevelles. This is my first old truck to restore. I've had various numbers of 1964 Chevelles since 1977. I actually started out checking the Stovebolt forums for six cylinder info to apply towards the Chevelles (now, I'm down to a 4 door sedan, a SuperSport, and a 2 door stationwagon). I looked at Suburbans and Panels for a while (to tow the '64 Chevelle wagon to the strip). Then I got the COE bug for a while. Slowly realized (admitted?) a Suburban or Panel truck made much more sense, and would fit in the garage, too. (We hope to get some pictures of those come spring time! ~ Editor)

Any questions, please ask.

Thanks,

Pete

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