Harry Bonne's 1937 1/2-Ton Chevy

16 October 2006

From Harry:

          Hello guys. It is a long time since you heard from me. I think it's time for an update.

          I striped my '37 pickup and I'm gonna restore him bottom up. That old American Stovebolt deserves that. What a great heritage you Americans have. I don't understand what some of you guys are change them into !@#$#$^(*&^@#$% hotrots -- shame on you. Or that you even sell them if you have one (eBay).

          I think my pickup is going to be better than when he came from the factory. I've sandblasted the chassis and all the body parts and made him a new grille. I had to make a new box because it was very dented. The engine I could not save and I had to install a 250 ci inline 6 from a Chevy Nova. (I'm sorry). But for the rest, everything is original til the last bolt. In Holland nobody sees the difference except another Stovebolt geek -- and there are not many in Holland.

          The 216s are a bit rare in Holland and when I've found one, they were asking an arm and a leg. And I'm in for the cheap. I have to keep my hobby payable (my wife off my back).

          I still have the '40 GMC pickup but he has to wait for his turn. I'M NOT GOING TO SELL HIM. (Harry also has a 1940 Chevy 1/2-ton ~ Editor)

          I am a fan of the Chevy pickups '36 / '37 and when I have the chance, I will buy one (or two) more but it's harder and harder to find the original trucks. If you have one and you only want to sell him for not to much money to a Stoveboltgeek, please contact me.

          Here are some photos. They are not very recent -- I always forget to make pictures! When I have new ones, I'll send them right away.

Best regards,

You're Stoveboltfrend

Harry Bonne
Holland

17 September 2004

From Harry:

          Hello editor. What a great site you have. I'm Harry and I live in Holland. I was waiting for a long time to be one of the new guys and finally I am! (I think)

          Your site inspired me to do some shopping in America and you have to believe me that it is not easy to live in Holland and buy in America.

          It all started with a '37 1/2-ton Chevy about a year ago and I ended up with a 1940 GMC and a 1940 Chevy a couple of month's ago. In between, I wired lots of dollars for cars / transport / straps / beer and sent 100's of e-mails up and down. I finally received three pickup trucks and a lot of work because, in Holland, all three trucks are so-called project cars. I am planning in giving them a second life in Holland and restore them bottom up. So for the next couple of years my ''free time'' is over!

          I hope you will give me a spot on your site because I can use lots of tips and suggestions from other Stovebolt owners. Tips and suggestions can be mailed to me at the email address above.

          Oh man, I can't wait to get to work and drive an awesome looking Stovebolt pickup.

          I'm starting with the '37 and I think there are not more than a handful late '30s pickups in Holland.

          And please let me be ''one of the new guys. '' It means a lot to me. I'll send The Stovebolt Pages regular updates -- after all, you folks are the one's who inspired me to invest an arm and a leg getting three awesome ''Stovebolts'' to Holland.

          I'll send you some pictures. They were all taken in America and are, for the moment, the only pictures I have.

My best regards,
Harry Bonne
Holland (I live on the Island Texel on the top of Holland. We are world famous because of our sheep. They export Texel sheep all over the world.)

          Wow - such enthusiasm!! You ARE "one of the guys" just by having a Stovebolt -- and you've got THREE! Good on ya and welcome to the site! ~~ Editor