The Gallery
 

1950 GMC 100


[an error occurred while processing this directive]

[an error occurred while processing this directive]


[an error occurred while processing this directive]
 

 
Owned by Wayne Levesque
"wayne1950gmc"
Bolter # 12154
West Palm Beach, Florida
 
01 March 2009 Update
# 2491

From Gina :

Wayne has always wanted to restore an antique pickup truck. He didn’t care if it was a GMC or a Chevy, but he would not settle for anything but one of those.

When we first starting looking to purchase a truck to restore, we looked at 1950’s and 1960’s models. We found this 1950 GMC in 2002. The picture was taken when we brought the truck home. At that time, the only place we had to store the truck was the garage connected to the house.

Wayne purchased another 1950 GMC that was in much worse shape to use for parts. Since the cab on the second truck appeared in better shape than the cab on the original truck, Wayne cut the cab on both trucks and switched them.

However, since Wayne is a perfectionist, neither of the cabs seemed to be good enough.

So Wayne bought a cab from Texas that had been sandblasted. By that time, Wayne had been working on the trucks and collecting parts for about three years. At that time, in order for Wayne to work on the truck, he would have to unload the garage (which would take a half day), then put everything away and start all over again the next day.

There were boxes of new truck parts in our guest bedroom and on our back porch for such a long time that I never thought I would get my house back. Therefore, I suggested to Wayne that he build himself a shop to work on his trucks.

In 2005, we put a 30 X 50 metal building next to our house so Wayne would have a place to play and I could have the garage back.

Once the shop was completed, he purchased a 4-post lift and has been working on his truck during every spare moment. Truck parts were collected from many, many different places. We even dug some parts out of 2’ of snow in northern Maine in the middle of January.

Wayne is probably one of the most talented novice restorers I know. This is the first full restoration Wayne has attempted, and nothing less than right has ever been acceptable to him.

Wayne has had a lot of help and has learned more about restoration from the most talented body and paint guys in South Florida. His name is Larry Hall from Haul & Hall. Larry’s wife, Caren Hall, is the owner of Gator Glass, who installed all the glass in the truck. Larry and Caren are great friends, neighbors, and mentors to both of us and I don’t think without their guidance, Wayne’s truck would look as good as it does today.

Photos:

Although the truck took approximately six years to complete, most of that time was spent collecting parts. Realistically, Wayne worked for about a year and a half to complete the project.

Wayne would like to see this truck used in TV shows or by GMC as one of their original trucks.

Wayne is going to build another one, but he says it will not be as detailed as this one. Only time will tell.

I hope these pictures are more of what you were looking for. Thanks for considering his truck for Stovebolt.

Gina Levesque [an error occurred while processing this directive]

24 December 2008
# 2491

From Wayne

Here are pictures of my 1950 GMC 100. [ Front shot ] It has had a complete frame off restoration. I have tried to keep it as original as possible including the 6 volt system and the radio.

The original truck came from a dairy farm in Adel, Iowa and was a major rust bucket. [ Before picture ]

I got parts from every place you can imagine. Some came from a used parts supplier in Western Canada, eBay, and even some came from Maine off abandoned old farm trucks. I also ordered thousands of dollars of parts out of catalogues.

All the work was done at home except the paint. The truck was taken to Hall and Haul Custom paint in pieces, fixed and painted. Then the parts were all taken home for assembly. [ View from the side ]

This project took me two years to complete.

We took the truck to a show and got first place in our first show.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

-30-


[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]