Owned by Doyle Osborne "doyle19503800" Bolter # 36374 Alberta, Canada

1950 Chevrolet 3800 5-Window 1-Ton with Hoist / Dump Bed

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From Doyle :

This is my 1951 1-ton Chevrolet. I purchased this truck in July 2013 while I was working in Southern Saskatchewan near Weyburn.

The old truck was parked in a couple of feet of grass in the front yard of the owner's farm. After driving by three times, I got up the courage to stop and ask about it. I didn't get exactly the best welcome but, working as a regulatory consultant in the oil and gas industry, you get used to mediating.

After much talk of the industry in general, we walked out to look it over.

The farm owner's son had purchased it from the original owner, who purchased it new from the Weyburn Chev dealer. The original owner, I was told, used it to haul about 25 loads of grain. He decided it was not big enough and bought a 1.5-ton with a full grain box. He used the 1-ton around the Weyburn area for a while. Then the farmer then stored it on blocks for 47 years! That's when the current owner purchase it.

This farmer was was asking what he paid for it: $1750, plus a bit of pocket money. I think this was pretty close to what the original owner would have paid new!

The truck came with some extras. The original tailgate, spare tire and a couple of other spare engine parts were stored in the shop.

I was heading back to Alberta for some time off and asked if he could get it running so I could do a test drive. I told him I would pay him $2000 running ... and we had a deal.

When I returned the next week, she was sitting proud and ready for a test spin. The old 6 cylinder fired up with a little gas down the carb and away we went.

Everything worked from the original 6 volt headlights to the single tail light. The PTO-driven hoist worked perfectly, too.

Other than both doors having been over extended and the usual farm wear and tear, there was no major body damage. There was no rust other than surface. I couldn't get it on the trailer fast enough.

On the 1200 km trip home, everywhere I stopped for lunch or fuel, the truck drew attention. Both men and women looked it over with most saying their Grandfather had one just like it. There was a lot of emotion in some asking to touch and even sit in it.

In Alberta, you need to pass an Out of Province Inspection before you can register a vehicle. While attending the local show and shine, I met with a member of the St. Albert Cruisers (check them out on their Facebook) and was told of a mechanic in Westlock. And I did.

After replacing the front brake cylinders and rubber lines, along with a carb rebuild and tune up, she ran like she was new.

When I took the bill of sale and inspection paper to the registry, I was told that this truck was never registered in Canada or anywhere else for that matter. As it turns out, I am the first and only registered owner of a 1950 Chevrolet 1-Ton Deluxe Cab pickup truck -- how cool is that!! ( That is very cool! ~ Editor )

The past winter I had been quite busy with work and couldn't do much. But on my down time, I did sand and repaint most of the interior dash components. The floor has had Rust Bullet applied. The seat frame and heater were repaired and repainted. I tracked down a awesome upholstery shop in Edmonton who re-upholstered the seat and it is back to original style and colour.

This winter I will be completing the dash and painting the interior of the cab then reassembly. I have no plans on repainting the exterior as this is the way it was meant to be with perfectly natural patina.

Doyle

Keep track of the restoration project details in Doyle's posts in the DITY Gallery and check for new photos to his Photobucket album. Any and all questions welcome! If you post in the forum, others can share in the discussion. Thanks ~ Editor

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