1951 Chevrolet Suburban

Owned by Mike Taylor "OLTrucks" -- Bolter # 3144 Lees Summit, Missouri

From Mike :

           After getting home a nice 1951 GMC Suburban and it missing the rear seat (so common), I I was thinking now and again where I might find another 'Burb or barn that might have one. Then one day, driving to work (I tend to get a bit of thinking done then) I thought I remembered that there was an old 1951 Chevrolet AD 'Burb parked not to far from my house on a small lot hidden behind a large store here in town.

           I couldn't get done with my day soon enough. On my way home, I drove back behind the store and pulled up about where I thought I had seen the truck years ago. I looked but the brush was so tall, I had to get out and stand on the bumper of my truck to see over. I managed to see a nice yellow Chevy sitting in the grass, being shaded by a small maple growing up from under the running board. All of the glass had been knocked out except for the right rear door glass.

           I thought "Man, that looks better then the GMC I just got home." So I walked around and looked down the hill and saw it was a 1951 also (now being a man with the Stovebolt bug -- AD strain -- for many years) I thought, "I need this one, too."

           Getting back in my truck, I was planning what I needed to do at best to secure this fine sample of GM art. Not having much $$$ in my truck fund, I figured I could sell some of the parts I had been rat holing. I'd build up the ol' tuck fund some.

           I knew from former experience not to disturb the nest of a nice catch. You know, you go knock on the door and ask if they would want to sell "it" (car, truck, horse). Before you get back with the money, they told their brother or whoever. Then the the brother says, "Well, I didn't know you wanted to sell that. You should sell it to me and keep it in the family."

           So you must go to the door ready to buy right then. Make the deal. Be ready to pay, load and go.

           After spending a hot weekend at the Springfield Missouri Swap Meet and making a nice bit of cash on a few weeks of junkyarding, I thought I was ready to go 'n talk. The worse thing that could happen is he didn't want to sell (couldn't really blame him).

           I waited until the next weekend and mid-Saturday morning, I drove to the house. I had already looked at county tax records to see if the house close by showed the truck on their taxes to see who really owned it.

           I parked, went up and rang the door bell. A nice gal came to the door and I stated my business. She then told me that her husband was in the shower. She said he was asked often to sell that old truck and he always never wanted to sell.

           Hummm ok. Well, let me leave him something to help him out when he is ready to start working on it (some of you know I work in the hobby). So I go back to my truck to grab a catalog and went back up to the door. I was about ready to hand her the catalog when she says "He wants to talk to you."

           What? Ah ........ ok. So a few seconds later, here this guy comes and says "Yeah, I think I would like to sell it."

           I quickly roll up the catalog and slip it in my back pocket. We talk a bit at this point. I can't even tell you what we said -- but soon we went to the back so I could get a closer look at this beauty.

           I looked it over. He tells me he found the truck in Nebraska on a farm. It was fairly solid as mid-western trucks go. I tried to act like well maybe I'm not sure and I don't really think I was convincing. We soon settled on a great price. I rolled out the cash and asked if I could pick it up this afternoon.

          We went back to the house and he signed over the title. I drove back home (I think I did) all excited.

           Now explaining to my wife why I needed a second 1951 Suburban I found to be the hard part. But I thought I better get that done before I came home with it on a trailer. She is now in love with it ... well, no she's not but it keeps me happy.

           Now what about this ol' truck? It was made in December of 1951 in Kansas City, Model 3116 (rear barn doors), maroon window and wiper knobs and pain ted speaker grille trim. Here you can see a bunch of the pictures!

           No, this is not a IRWIPI submission!

Mike

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