1955 GMC Pickup Truck

	Owned by Paul Badeau "harleycontractor" Bolter # 15824 Manchester, Connecticut

From Paul :

           This is a 1955 GMC truck [ pix ] I purchased about a year ago to use as a company truck. I own "Prestige Building and Restoration LLC" along with my son (also a car guy). The picture to the right is my right paw dog Zooma who is also a big fan of vintage Stovebolts. Luckily for me, I found her on-line after losing another dog my kids grew up with. She is super intelligent and a super dog overall. (Must be if she's a Stovebolter! ~ Editor)

           My son and I have built a few cars together, among other things. So, I just wanted to show up to price construction jobs, and meet customers in something "old skool" -- it doesn’t hurt with the conversations, either!

           I originally purchased a 1955 Chevrolet truck that I thought was an almost driver on eBay. It turned out to be a "real piece" and after having spent six months collecting parts and building a sub frame, I figured it was going to be awhile before it was the way I wanted it.

           So I was looking around on eBay again and found this 1955 GMC that had just been listed a few hours before I came upon it. I spoke to the gentleman selling it for almost two hour. After he convinced me that I could driver it as is, I bought it!

           The new (old) ‘55 truck came from Missouri via transport and I am the third owner. I bought it on Thursday and had it at my shop on the following Monday afternoon. I used two great "car guys" from Arkansas and will definitely use them again.

           I only have had to do a few things so far -- like changing the wheels and tires (a set of red smoothies and larger tires in the rear) and converting to a double master cylinder. I still plan on swapping out the chassis and doing a few more small things. I will lower it and give it a rake but I'll wait until I mount it on the other frame that I have made up already from the '55 Chevy I bought. It will have disc brakes and better steering. Oh, and it has a factory overdrive. I never even knew they had that back then.

           I think the truck was pretty much always garaged. Not 100% sure. The headliner and the seat have a stitched eagle in them. Kinda cool -- and kinda country.

           The plan is to leave it as an everyday driver though. This one’s a keeper for sure.

           So, I still have the other '55 Chevrolet that has a 350 w/ turbo 350 trans and it is drivable but would need some more attention to be finished. I really should sell it (with or without all the extra pieces I have accumulated, and there are MANY, including a built sub frame). Know anyone interested?

           I haven't had too many experiences to warrant too much of a story about the GMC yet. I do get many many questions whenever I get gas or go pick up materials, etc.

           As I said, my son and I are old car nuts. I have a Chevelle SS that I bought new in 1972 and is a 67,000 mile blown show car. It has all original parts down to tires. Then there’s a 1934 Chevrolet 2 door sedan, chopped sitting on a corvette C4 chassis and running gear. The car is "sick" but will be our next street rod project and eventually my son’s car. And finally, I have a 1932 Ford Victoria, chopped with a 427 Corvette L-88 built motor 600+ hp. It has been an almost five year build and should be done in a month or so. This one will be a magazine car. Every bolt and screw is hand polished stainless. There was NO expense spared. Everything is perfect -- the chassis has same finish as the top of the car, molded frame paint underneath, wet sanded and buffed, all leather interior. Only four fasteners are showing on sill lights, Turbo 400 with Gearvendor overdrive. I could go on and on.

           There are two Harleys: a 1977 Sovelhead restored with my son and a Custom built 1992 Fatboy, all tricked out.

           As you can see, I have a bit have a problem. I am a hard core "gearhead."

           Thank you for the opportunity to be in the Gallery. I love this site and have learned so much.

Paul Badeau

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