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Keith Pankratz's1948 Chevy Loadmaster |
15 May 2006 Update
# 1002
From Keith:
Here's some updated pictures of my truck taken just a couple days ago. Since my initial submission, I found out that the guy in the black and white picture (below ... the fellow on the right) is one of my Great-Grandpa's fuel customers. I've had the 235 engine out and I replaced the rings, gaskets, and starter. I've repainted the inside of the cab, replaced the headliner and all the glass.
Obviously, I've completed the body work and repainted the exterior. I'm currently working on the bulk fuel tank. I have it all painted and I'm in the process of reassembly. Then all I will have left is to hand paint all the lettering on the tank.
It's been a
long project, but I really wanted something that would make my Great-Grandfather
proud. My Grandmother has assured me that he would be. 
Thanks again, and keep up the good work!!!
Keith Pankratz
"Pakrat47"
Bolter # 5589
Butterfield, MN
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01 February 2005
# 1002
From
Keith:
Hey Stovebolt Staff. What a great thing you folks got goin' here. I joined in the fun a couple weeks ago and I just had to put some photos together for the Gallery.
This is a '48 Loadmaster used by Butterfield Oil Company. My great-Grandfather started the Butterfield Oil Company in the early-mid '30s. He was a distributor of Diamond motor oil and fuel. He had a small service station right on the main highway going through Butterfield, MN.
Later Diamond was replaced by D-X. He had many trucks over the years, but somehow
this one happened to stay in the family and was stored away and forgotten about
for many years. The last time the truck was licensed was 1960. So it's been
stationary for a long time.
The tank on this truck was originally mounted on a '36-'40 Chevy, (so I'm told by one of the guys who was employed by my great-Grandfather, and is still living in Butterfield).
The photo on the left is of my great-Grandfather, Jake Stoesz (on the left), and the D-X oil man (on the right), taken probably around 1950. The other photo (above) is the truck after I pulled it out of the shed to get a look at what it all needed and get started on it.
Love your site, lots of useful info. I'm glad to see there are so many people interested in the "Big Bolts" and keeping it original!
See ya in the forums,
Keith
Keith Pankratz
"Pakrat47"
Bolter # 5589
Butterfield, MN