Brian Dahl's 1956 Chevrolet 3100 Stepside -- A great old truck, restored and lookin' fine!

It finally has happened! After over 2 1/2 years "Dusty" has finally awoke!!! He's been under restoration to not only upgrade safety features (gas tank moved to behind axle, electric wiper motor and seat belts installed, etc.), but to bring him back to near original condition -- right down to the paint job, Jet Black. He is now powered by a completely rebuilt 235 cid motor and rides on all new tires and wheels.

It has been a long process to bring Dusty back but well worth the effort! Since April 29, 2005, when his new motor sputtered to life, he has performed great! On April 30, we took a short trip to town and back and now have 13 miles on the speedo! He handles great on the road and you can tell he's happy to be there once again!

Dusty will be seen around the cruise-in circuit in our area and will be a pleasure to show. He's not a "National Champion" type truck -- just a nice example of what can be done with an old Bolt.

Future plans for Dusty is that he will be owned by my Grandson, to drive and appreciate as much as I do. He's only six years old now, so I have some time to enjoy Dusty. Here is a photo of Ian, my grandson, helping PaPa with the "old truck." He (as well as his sister) just love the truck and are looking forward to "helping out" at the cruise in's this summer.

I would appreciate you updating the Stovebolt Gallery with these pictures taken on Dusty's first drive after startup.

I would like to submit photo's of my truck for the Stovebolt Gallery. This is a 1956 Chevrolet 3100 Stepside with a 235. Here are two pictures of the truck. The "red one" is when I purchased it and the picture below is how far we are on its restoration.

I purchased my truck during the summer of 2003 after looking for over three years for the "perfect" truck. I found this truck sitting in a front yard just one mile from my home. It was listed for sale as a '55, and was even titled as a '55, even though it was DEFINITELY a '56. I was able to get DMV to change the title to a '56 and will be running original '56 Virginia plates when the truck is restored.

I purchased it in running condition and drove it home. The lady I bought it from told me she had rented the truck to a movie company and the truck was filmed in the movie "Hearts in Atlantis." The movie company had put signs on both doors and when the signs were removed, it took some of the paint off -- hence the light color on the doors.

As I did not have the room or time to restore my truck, I found a mechanic that was starting up his own business, and who was more than willing to take on my project. My truck would be his "flagship" so to speak, and show the quality work he does.

I was REAL fortunate to find John. He is a perfectionist when it comes to working on the truck! He has included his ideas into the restoration, which has helped me considerably. The truck had the original motor, but upon removing and cleaning it, it was discovered to have a crack in the block (even though it didn't leak). Again, I was fortunate to have been given a '55 235 motor by a friend that was upgrading his truck to a V-8. I had the '55 motor completely rebuilt and it is awaiting installation.

The truck is going back to its original color of JET BLACK, and other than some safety issues being done (gas tank to between rails, electric windshield wipers, and seat belts) the truck will be basically stock.

I am putting on five new wheels / hubcaps / tires, and a new oak bed with polished stainless steel rails. The interior is being completely redone also to near original condition.

The truck should be completed around March/April of this year -- can hardly wait!!

Thanks for your help in getting my truck in the Gallery. I will update you as my truck gets restored. I believe it's going to be a beauty!