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1950 Chevrolet 1/2-Ton 3100

"Old Blue"

Owned by Dave Sanders "DMSanders" Bolter # 14256 Charlotte, NC

01 December 2007 Update
# 2074

From Dave :

           I finished the bed on Old blue. Take a look. I went to Home Depot, bought some red oak boards, some construction adhesive and some aluminum strips. I used tung oil on the boards (three coats, letting each dry a week) followed by Behr outside low luster sealer (three coats front and back [sanding between each]) and then glued it all down being careful to seal everything around the edges. I did it this way because I had a ¼ inch steel bed welded in and did not want to go through cutting it out.

           I pics on my personal site as well.

Dave

03 October 2007
# 2074

From Dave :

           The wife and I have always loved the 1947-1952 Chevy 3100 and wanted one but could never find one. On a trip to visit my sister in Tennessee, we saw a blue 1950 off the road next to a trailer. It had a for sale sign on it. Both my wife and I looked at each other and said (at the same time) “Let’s stop and check out that truck!”

           So we did and after my wife negotiating (she is the ultimate coupon queen) to the point that the old guy said, “OK, OK, just pay me and go!” (at a MUCH lower price than he originally asked). My wife even demanded (and got) a cane that a friend of his had carved for him that was in a rifle rack in the back window.

           I felt bad for the guy but we got the truck. We drove it back to Charlotte (it had a previous partial restoration done about 10 years earlier, so it did run). We did a bit of cleanup and started using it.

           We used the truck for about eight years, hauling stuff and carrying my daughter back and forth to college in Virginia. Old Blue was a real workhorse and we enjoyed it even though it had mechanical everything so my wife (much to her disappointment) could not drive it.

           About three years ago, the truck developed some engine and tranny problems, along with front end failure. It sat in the driveway for about eight months. One day, I said to my wife, “I am either going to sell the old truck or fix it up.” She asked me NOT to sell it. So I said, “OK, but it will take a lot of time and money because I intend to do it right and do it so YOU can drive it anywhere.”

           We started on the project and I got a friend (had to pay him ... LOTS) who had some experience in truck restoration. Months passed and SLOWLY we saw the new truck beginning to emerge. Over the next two years, little by little, and with the help of a host of mechanics and technicians (many who cheated me unfortunately), the truck was finally pretty much done.

           It now has a Chevy 350 Vortec engine with Dart Iron Eagle heads, 9.5-1 compression, a TH350 tranny, power disk brakes, power rack and pinion steering, a 4-link coil over stainless steel front suspension (by Fat Man Fabrications) and a gorgeous metallic blue paint job (1978 Cadillac blue) by City Body Shop in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

           It is slightly lowered (result of the IFS) and looks great. The interior was custom done with Jeep Wrangler leather seats, console and stereo with 12” subs, along with a 1200 watt amp system. There is a TV / DVD in the dash along with a Python alarm system. Electric windows and locks round out the package along with a totally chromed engine with a Mr. Gasket street scoop.

           The truck drives and handles like a dream. It gets up to 60 in about 5.5 seconds. I estimate the engine to have between 375 and 400 HP. A 1978 Nova rear end with 3:36 gears makes cruising along at 70 easy with about 18 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway (as long as I keep the horses in the corral ).

           The hood ornament is from a 1950 Ford Custom Deluxe car. It belonged to my Grandfather. He brought me home from the hospital in that old car when I was born (I’m 54 now). It is all I have left of the car and it is original chrome. I thought it would look good on the truck and tie me back to my Grandfather.

           The truck is all steel with original fenders, hood cab and bed. We had to replace the floorboard and kick panels (they had been cut from a Cat dozer and weighed a TON), firewall and cab corners. New steel was welded in all areas where any deterioration was found.

           I did a lot of the work (and am still working on several -- frustrating -- little items) but I had a lot of help too.

           I hope you enjoy the pictures (and here are some more) half as much as I enjoy the truck.

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