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08 August 2014
# 3079

 
  Owned by
Fox Johnson
"Fox"
Bolter # 2193
Breton, Alberta
Canada

 

1950 Chevrolet 1-Ton Dually

"Ole Red Girl"

 

More pictures of my old truck

Join the discussion about this truck

 

 

From Fox :

I remember the first time I saw an Advance Design Chevrolet. I was in grade one and a local businessman had a black 1953 parked in back, near the school. I would go look at it at recess and say to myself, "I'll have a truck like that one day."

Throughout the years, I watched and waited. I even called old Merlin a few times to see if his '53 was for sale ... "No."

When I was 18, before going to university, I created a wanted ad and hung it in Post Office. I got a call the next morning. This man had a 1950 1/2-ton Chev and just about a second or third piece of everything for it! I gave him $750 and it was mine.

I was eager and tore into the truck, disassembling it without having a true plan. I did not appreciate what I had or what I was getting myself into.

Well, I'll customize it! You know -- IFS, Camaro rear, v8, etc. The truck snowballed out of my control. I made many mistakes and eventually lost passion for my beloved Lady Luck 1950. I sold it for a lot less than I put into it.

Years passed. I dropped off the Stovebolt site for a good long while. Time heals all wounds they say and the itch came back ... and began to grow. I began to look again.

"This time will be different! I will not rip it part immediately! I will finish this one!"

I began to formulate my plan before I bought another. Stock looking, inline six, maybe an open rear end, gas tank in bed for safety. DO NOT RIP IT APART!

I found this one-ton on an Internet ad site here in Alberta, Canada. The fella said it ran ... and it looked good. It wasn't a short box and it wasn't a half-ton. What could it hurt to look at it?

I made him a lowball offer -- $500. He refused.

It's a five window in really good shape. No rust in the cab corners, floors, solid fenders, really straight. Could this be for me? He said. "It ran ..." Runs, drives -- No.

So we haggled back and forth over email. I was really serious but suddenly he said,"Come and get it."

Oh boy ... What to tell my wife?

I drove two hours to get it. It wouldn't run but looked good. I loaded it with a tractor. He then showed me his welding truck. DROOL!! -- A 1951 1-ton dually 5 window restored with a flatdeck and his welder and equipment on the back. I asked, "Is that for sale?" -- No. 

Brought my truck home and I went back to work on the oil rigs. So the truck had to sit for a few months. Our project on the rig shut down so went back to teaching and I found I had a lot of time to tinker again!

Let the wrenching begin!

I charged the battery, cleaned the lines, turned key, kicked the foot start ... Blah. Nothing .. Nuts!

Checked plugs -- good. Fuel pump -- clogged. Cleaned it up. Carb -- good. Radiator -- good.

Am I forgetting anything else? Tank was clean. Whatever, let's try again.

Key on ... Kick ... Vroommmmmmmm.... Wow! This thing sounds like an old sewing machine.

You know those moments of deep satisfaction? Zen? Being in the element? Ahhhh.

That day was really special.

I threw the Red Girl in gear and off I went down the back road. Good grief! The brakes in this old girl are right up top and touchy!! Good thing I checked that before I left -- NOT!

I got back and my niece, nephew and wife wanted to go for a ride. I happily obliged.

"Uncle this truck is awesome!"

"Is this as fast as it goes?"

"Uncle? What's that green stuff coming out from under the dash?"

Well it was running flawlessly. We headed for home then BLAM! Oh good, the muffler fell off.

Still, despite those two minor bumps, the truck ran great.

This was the first time I've driven my dream truck and I loved every second.

I gave old Merlin a call to see if his '53 was for sale. He said come on over. Turns out he had a 1951 1/2-ton Chevy and a 1949 1-ton GMC hiding further back.

His '53?... Still not for sale after 25 years of inspiring me. I completely understand now, Merlin.

On Canada Day (Canada's birthday) I drove my old '50 1-ton into town. It made the six mile drive with no issues (apart from the police following me for two miles! Good thing it is a national holiday or I think I would have been ticketed for no insurance or registration!) Anyway, I drove it in and put it in the Show and Shine. What a great turn out! Over 45 vehicles were there! That's pretty good for a town of 600 people! Oh boy, you guys should have seen the '40 GMC that was there! DROOL!!

I sure was proud of my Ole Red Girl! I got some leads on parts trucks and was even given one that day! The response to the only "original" ( that is rusty ) truck was awesome! "Cool!" "Check out that old truck!" I had an awesome day. OH NO! I just realized I didn't take one picture!!! Hopefully my wife got one!

I sure am eager to get more done on it! I am in process of cleaning off old welds from the dump deck that was on it.

Thank you so much for the work everyone puts into the Stovebolt. I just love this hobby!!!!! Yahooooooo!

 

Fox

 

Agreed, great story. I am 51 years old and have never driven an AD truck -- despite owning one now for over three years. A few more months, and I hope that will change ... cannot wait. ~ DavidF

 

 

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