A 'virtual garage' of antique Chevy & GMC trucks from around the World

1954 GMC 100 Pickup Truck

08 November 2007
# 2116

From Don :

           I am a great fan of The Stovebolt Page. I try to get on every day to keep up with what's going on. I recently finished restoration of my 1954 GMC 100 pickup. The picture above is my truck with my Great Grand Daughter Andilee standing by the left front fender. My Grand Daughter is a professional photographer -- she took the pic!

           I have been a member of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America (member #1863) since 1964 and of The Inliners (member #3487) since 2001. I have always been a Chevy fan. I have owned about 40 over the years. I now have the 1954 GMC, a 1932 Chevrolet pickup, and a 1932 Chevrolet Coach (2 door sedan). The 1932 pickup will have a 292 with 3 Weber carbs, roller cam, reworked head, headers, etc. I expect it to be good for 12 second quarter mile times.

           My 1954 is getting out some now. I'm still trying to work out the poor gas mileage. it gets about 8 to 9 mpg. With gas well over $3 a gallon now, it is pretty expensive to drive to town, which is about 25 miles (to Fresno, California).

           I am the president of the world's famous procrastinators club (not really), so many of my friends and family were amazed that I actually finished the GMC. I brought it home in pieces just two years ago and let it sit for almost a year before starting to put it together. I finished it just in time to go to Reno's Hot August Nights.

           As for my 1932 Chevy pickup, I have owned it since 1962. I had it running stock when I got it. I took it apart and had it running briefly in about 1965 or 66. Then I took it apart to finish and it has been "apart" since. I do know where all the parts are and plan to work on it for the next year or two making every effort to have it running by another year or two. I'm sorry I don't have any pics of it, but when It's running, I'll have my Grand Daughter take a series of it and you'll be the first to get them (If I can figure out how to send them).

           Back to the GMC -- I paid too much for it. I was working then at the highest paying job I ever had. My boss wanted to sell it and I didn't try to negotiate a lower price. So for two weeks' pay, I gained another project.

           It only took six trips to the DMV to get the title and license squared away. I bought a lot of parts from Fat Fender in Fresno, CA. Gilbert is a great guy and was very helpful getting everything I needed for the truck.

           Old fuel gummed up the engine so I had to do a valve job on it and I decided to completely replace the fuel system from tank to carburetors (I put two carbs on it - just for looks). I put on Fenton headers, new pipes and Corvair turbo mufflers with 2 1/2" all the way to the chrome tips.

           I replaced everything in the brake system with new parts from NAPA. I had to replace the parking brake cables too. Wow were they expensive ($150).

           I worked a long time over the new Oak wood in the bed. I put in new rub strips, and replace all the bolts with polished stainless steel. If I do say so myself, the bed looks GREAT! It should with almost 50 hours of my labor in it.

           After I got it all together, I was going to leave it in the "as bought" condition. But after one show (where I met Cheyenne - Lost 1953), I decided to have the body work and paint done. Another load of cash! It was finally done the day before I took it to Reno for Hot August Nights. We had a blast driving it around Reno.

           I was "retired" from my latest job last Friday due to my boss's money problems so I have time to get started on the '32 (maybe). It is almost completely apart now. All that's left is to take the cab off the frame. I know in my mind just how I want it so I just have to work toward that goal. I have a Chevy 292 engine with 3 Weber Side draft carburetors, roller cam, ported head with big valves, etc. for the power plant. I have always been a 6 cylinder aficionado, and I think this one should make around 325 to 350 horsepower that will be enough to move the 2460 lb. truck around pretty well.

           Thanks again for the best web site on the internet.

Don Rowland

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