Carl Jacobson's

1941 Chevy 1/2 ton


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27 March 2006
# 1168

From Carl:

A Family Tradition

       You never really know when something you do will become a tradition.  Months before I was born, my Dad brought home a rusty, 5-window ‘52 Chevy pickup with a junk engine sitting in the bed.  He spent several months getting a new engine in it and patching rust holes.  When my Mom told him it was time to go to the hospital and he saw a flat on the family car, they decided they had to take the ‘52 truck.  Later that morning, I was added to the family.  That truck remained in the family until I was in college.

       Years later, after my Dad died, I found my own 5-window Chevy, this one being a ‘53 model.  I worked on it for a couple years, tearing it apart piece by piece, restoring the body panel by panel.  Then the big announcement came – we were expecting our first child.  My wife reminded me of the story of how I was delivered to the hospital, and we both thought it would be a great tradition to carry on.  Our goal was set, I needed to have the truck done by early September. 

       Unfortunately, with one busy job, one demanding volunteer project, and running my own tax practice, progress on my truck restoration slowed to a near halt.  Just as the frustration was mounting, a solution appeared.  My wife’s Grandfather had found a restored ‘41 Chevy at an auction many years before.  After he died, the truck passed to her aunts, who now wanted to sell it.  Owning six trucks already, I hesitated when the subject came up.  In the end, we added another truck to the family.  After all, Stovebolt Chevys seem to be in the blood of the Jacobson family.  I am the third generation to own one -- the fourth generation would need to start right.  

       Now we had old trucks with ties to both sides of our family.  With a little work, we had a running, driving truck that we were so proud of.  We were ready for the “special delivery.”

       When the magical day came (September 1), we went to the garage, hopped in the ’41 Chevy, and headed to the hospital. We got there about 6 a.m. (when this picture was taken) and at 10:17 am Michael Philip arrived. While he will never meet the Grandfather or Great-Grandfather who brought these trucks into our lives, he will know the tradition they started.

       That's the story from the fall. A little more info on the truck: I added some side racks and it dressed it up real nice.

       I'm in the middle of tracking down another Chevy truck. This one's an 05 with the diesel. Gotta have something to haul the others around with. This would be truck # 8 if it happens. "Sell" is a four-letter word, I guess.

       The calendars (Miss October in the First Edition Stovebolt 2006 Calendar) ended up in my office, one for Grandpa, and one for my uncle Kenny in Texas -- they look GREAT!! As soon as the weather comes around, I'll have to get a picture of Michael in his Stovebolt shirt with the truck.

Carl Jacobson
"Jake 53"
Bolter # 3434
Vadnais Heights, MN

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27 July 2005
# 1168

From Carl: 

       My wife's grandfather bought this '41 Chev 1/2-ton on an auction in Southwestern Iowa at least 15 years ago. It had been restored before that -- frame off. The body was not done to show grade, lots of little lumps and bumps to show off the hard working life it led before.

       Essentially, it is all original, except the wheels and gas tank. It drives nice and smooth to about 40. Got to love that 216!

       I'm working on the brakes and cleaning it up for parades and its main function coming soon. We're expecting our first baby in the coming weeks, and this is my wife's choice to drive to the hospital for the delivery.

       My '53 5-window (similar to the one used by my parents for my delivery) is still in process. I hope to paint it this fall, and start the assembly process. Then hopefully, it'll be on the road next spring. It is in so many pieces right now I almost need my own web site! I do have a good "before" pic of when it came home. Maybe I should submit that and add the "done" pic when it happens.

       I do have a funny story to share. In responding to an ad in the Swap Meet, I got to meet Barry Weeks. Upon further discussions, we realized we are actually second cousins.

       Thanks for keeping the best site on the net going strong!

Carl Jacobson
"Jake 53"
Bolter # 3434
Vadnais Heights, MN

       Thanks for the submission on the '41 Carl. We anxiously await the '53 ... pictures, website, stories ... everything! ~~ Editor


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